This is a question we hear a lot, and there are numerous reasons why this is the case.
As far as pain is concerned, the brain does not operate in the way you may think. It works on a very primitive level. Protecting important parts inside the body, the brain dedicates a lot of space/effort in perceiving what’s going on with our skin, being the first line of defense from micro-organisms and other insults. In turn, it is poorly equipped at perceiving what’s going on deeper inside with great accuracy. Sometimes pain is even felt elsewhere, which is then known as referred pain.
Another reason we might work somewhere else is because of the inter-connectedness of our musculo-skeletal system. For example, you might have an overly tight piriformis muscle (in your hip region) that might be rotating your hip outward, changing the pull of structures on your kneecap and causing the pain in your knee. In that case, working on your hip is the way to address your pain.
In yet another way, a bulging or herniated disc can irritate a nerve exiting your lumbar spine, the part of the nerve which provides sensation to your calf, causing pain in that region (whether back pain is present or not). In that case, working on your lumbar/pelvic region can influence the position of the disc, decreasing your pain.
We serve Nassau County and Suffolk County, Long Island, Babylon and Massapequa, also serving Lindenhurst, West Islip, Islip, Bellmore, Merrick, Seaford, Wantagh, Copiague, Amityville, Massapequa Park, Deer Park, Dix Hills, West Babylon, North Babylon, Plainview, Plainedge, Bethpage, Farmingdale, and surrounding areas.
We specialize in treating chronic back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, TMJ and headaches.
Give us a call for a free consultation: 631-376-0600 or 516-590-7611.
-Anthony Davis, PT
