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The Manual Touch Physical Therapy

Whole Body Approach

Reclaim movement, function and life
For information, call: 847-541-7600
or email: info@themanualtouch.com
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Sciatica, Back, and Neck Pain

 

Alleviate your back and neck pain and get back to enjoying your life.

Do you have leg pain after walking or standing for longer than 10 minutes?  Does your back hurt when sitting or laying on one side? Do you get sudden sharp pain when climbing stairs or crossing your legs?  Lower back pain and sciatica are quite debilitating and scary.

Lower back pain and sciatica

Lower back pain (LBP), including sciatica, is the number one reason why people seek out medical attention.  Your lower back is made up of five lumbar vertebrae, which has an inward curve known as lordosis, and a right and left sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, exits the spine between the last three spinal segments, travels down the buttock underneath the glute and piriformis muscles, behind the thigh, and then splits behind the knee to travel down to the foot.  You can have sciatic pain, numbness or tingling anywhere along its path usually caused by an issue in the spine. But, sometimes sciatica is not coming from the lumbar spine; it’s coming from an impingement somewhere along its path or from the sacroiliac (SI) joint.

Common lower back pain diagnoses include herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and sacroiliac (SI) dysfunction.

Upper back pain

Your upper back is made up of 12 thoracic vertebrae and your rib cage.  Your thoracic spine has a normal outward curve known as kyphosis which can become excessive or can become the opposite, flatter.  This can be a sign of osteoporosis, with a weakening of the muscles surrounding the thoracic spine.

Upper back pain often happens because of repetitive rotation movements and posture.  Sometimes upper back pain is coupled with pain in your chest and when breathing, which usually means there is an issue in the thoracic spine and the corresponding rib.

Neck pain

Your neck is made of seven cervical vertebrae and has a small inward curve known as lordosis.  Cervical radiculopathy is pain, numbness or tingling down the arm into the fingers coming from an issue in the cervical spine with or without neck pain.  Sometimes acute neck pain resulting in the inability to turn your head to one direction is actually an issue with your first rib and can be easily corrected.

What do these issues all have in common?

Any of these painful issues may have nothing to do with what is going on in the spine, but instead results from other issues outside the spine, such as core and hip weakness, posture, feet or jaw issues, and poor movement patterns as you sit, stand, and walk through the day.  

What is the biggest mistake you can make if you have pain?

The biggest mistake you can make is to ignore your pain, or think you can just rest and it will go away.  While a short period of rest may be appropriate, ignoring the pain is often a recipe for pain to become chronic, more difficult to treat, and you may develop other issues while compensating for the original issue.  

What happens when you come in to The Manual Touch?

Your therapist will use a Whole Body Approach to evaluate you and determine the root causes of your condition. Then, you’ll be prescribed a unique treatment plan using traditional and non-traditional manual therapy and exercises. You’ll learn how to move appropriately throughout your day and night, so as not to aggravate your condition. Our ultimate goal is to help you reclaim function, life, movement, and enjoyment of the activities you love.

Common back and neck pain conditions we treat

  • Lumbar stenosis
  • Cervical stenosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Arthritis
  • Herniated or bulging disc
  • Upper back pain
  • Rib pain
  • Neck pain
  • Whiplash
  • Cervical or lumbar radiculopathy
  • Sciatica
  • Sacroiliac (SI) dysfunction
  • Ankylosing spondilitis
  • Ehler danlos syndrome
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Head pain
  • Concussion

 

Download our free guide:

9 Things you Can Do for Lower Back Pain & Sciatica Today

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Testimonials

On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others was the pain-free freedom of movement I enjoyed, the product of an exercise focus on flexibility, stretching, balance and core strength. The great change in my workouts came when I approached Denise Schwartz at The Manual Touch in Wheeling to reh… Read more
Read More
Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, after only two sessions. This is the best my elbow has felt in a year. Denise ‘gets it,’ if you will. You tell her your situation, she truly understands the problem, gets to work, and starts fixing the problem. She has, in fact, exercised herself…so… Read more
Read More
I’m very excited because I’m getting stronger, more stable when I’m walking, and more flexible.  Yesterday, for the first time in several years, I was able to travel by train downtown and visit the Art Institute.  There was lots of walking and sitting, activities which previously caused me to be in pain for several days afterwards.  But today, I’m just a little sore.  I feel I’ve made very good progress in feeling better, stronger and feel less pain.
Read More
I met Denise at a local yoga studio and she became instrumental when it comes to coping with all my aches and pains. She has a holistic approach to physical therapy which many other practitioners seem to lack. I’ve done physical therapy before and a pain in the shoulder would be treated with strengthening the muscles around it. It never worked because shoulder pain can actually originate in other places – like hip stiffness caused by bad posture, shoes, soft chairs, etc. She really cares and edu… Read more
Read More
I’m a pediatric physical therapist and I was taking a yoga teacher training.  My left shoulder and neck were getting progressively tighter and eventually pain was keeping me up at night.  I knew I wanted treatment from a very knowledgeable PT with good manual skills and someone who excelled at evaluating postural and functional issues.  Denise is that person and she corrected my biomechanics with exercises and manual therapy.  There are only a few PT’s that possess skills like Denise.  … Read more
Read More
I am a pediatric  physical  therapist  who  (unsuccessfully) tried to treat my own shoulder pain for more than 1 year.  By the time I started PT with Denise, my pain was significantly impacting both my personal and professional life. After 2 visits with Denise, the pain lessened and my function improved.  After 8 visits, I was nearly painfree.  Denise and I continue to work together to improve my overall movement and muscle strength.  My body feels better than it has in years.  I hav… Read more
Read More
I had recurring back and knee issues and thought I wouldn’t be able to race triathlons again.  Denise gave me exercises and encouraged me to sign up to compete. I was able to complete the triathlon and had my fastest run split in years.”  
Read More
I complained to my family doctors about severe pain in lower back.  He recommended use The Manual Touch.  I followed Denise’s recommendation and started physical exercises for my lower back.  Also I am wearing abdominal binder which improved my strength and pain in lower back decreased from 6-7/10 to 3-4, which is give my normal life back.  Thank you very much
Read More
When I started to work with Denise I had shoulder and lower back pain.  She taught me various exercises along with posture that resulted in significant reduction in the pain.  Also, significantly improved my balance.  Her massage therapy greatly reduced the sensitivity to pressure that was caused by my open-heart surgery.
Read More
Before PT:  I had difficulty in walking due primarily to knee pain and was dependent on a cane and/or walker and had no confidence with either aid. After PT:  With the expertise of Denise as my physical therapist, I was guided and taught a series of exercises to increase my mobility of the lower extremities.  She was able to accurately determine the course of treatment. Denise instilled in me the importance of a continuing daily routine of exercises to decrease stiffness and increase my … Read more
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Our Mission


We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms. 

Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education. 
Top 10 physical therapists in Wheeling

A winner of the
2015 Patients' Choice Awards
for
Wheeling Physical Therapist

Verified by Opencare.com

Testimonials

On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others… Read more
Denise is an excellent physical therapist. I was referred to her by another therapist, and I’ll be sticking with Denise Schwartz, now. I didn’t know if it would go well, or not but I actually look forward to this physical therapy process with her, af… Read more
I’m very excited because I’m getting stronger, more stable when I’m walking, and more flexible.  Yesterday, for the first time in several years, I was able to travel by train downtown and visit the Art Institute.  There was lots of walking an… Read more
I met Denise at a local yoga studio and she became instrumental when it comes to coping with all my aches and pains. She has a holistic approach to physical therapy which many other practitioners seem to lack. I’ve done physical therapy before and … Read more
I’m a pediatric physical therapist and I was taking a yoga teacher training.  My left shoulder and neck were getting progressively tighter and eventually pain was keeping me up at night.  I knew I wanted treatment from a very knowledgeable PT wit… Read more
I am a pediatric  physical  therapist  who  (unsuccessfully) tried to treat my own shoulder pain for more than 1 year.  By the time I started PT with Denise, my pain was significantly impacting both my personal and professional life. After 2 … Read more
I had recurring back and knee issues and thought I wouldn’t be able to race triathlons again.  Denise gave me exercises and encouraged me to sign up to compete. I was able to complete the triathlon and had my fastest run split in years.”  … Read more
I complained to my family doctors about severe pain in lower back.  He recommended use The Manual Touch.  I followed Denise’s recommendation and started physical exercises for my lower back.  Also I am wearing abdominal binder which improved my … Read more
When I started to work with Denise I had shoulder and lower back pain.  She taught me various exercises along with posture that resulted in significant reduction in the pain.  Also, significantly improved my balance.  Her massage therapy greatly r… Read more
Before PT:  I had difficulty in walking due primarily to knee pain and was dependent on a cane and/or walker and had no confidence with either aid. After PT:  With the expertise of Denise as my physical therapist, I was guided and taught a series… Read more
Read More

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Copyright © 2021 The Manual Touch, LLC. · 325 n. milwaukee ave. · Ste D. · Wheeling, IL. 60090 · 847-541-7600

The information provided on The Manual Touch Physical Therapy website is for personal and noncommercial use only. The resources and content provided should be used for educational purposes only and not as a substitute for appropriate medical care. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort please seek medical attention.