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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

Denise gave me confidence that she knew what was wrong and what to do about it, and under her care I quickly felt better and am now on the road to better fitness. She has a feel for what’s causing what, and is good technically and also good at making you feel cared for.
Read More
Denise has worked on areas of severe pain and has diminished them to a tolerable level.
Read More
The physical therapy I received at The Manual Touch PT helped reduce my sciatica pain to a manageable level in just a few sessions.  The exercises I was given strengthened and trained my muscles to prevent further back problems allowing me to return to playing basketball.
Read More
I needed help.  Denise and the manual touch provided the best customized, targeted therapy I could have found.  She put my torn knee back together, straightened my back, worked with me to regain the mobility I’d lost due to a neck injury, even had me doing dance steps I’d not done in 60 years.  I didn’t think I could do this; she showed me I could.
Read More
I can honestly say that Denise was the first physical therapist to listen to my story.   She has demonstrated more patience and compassion than any other therapist that I’ve ever met. For the past 8 years, I have been symptomatic with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare genetic condition which affects the connective tissue throughout my body. As a result of this disorder I deal with ongoing severe acute and chronic pain and a variety of other rare overlapping conditions such as thoracic outl… Read more
Read More
I had constant neck pain from a car accident 2 years ago.  I went through PT somewhere else without any good results.  I then was recommended to come to The Manual Touch PT. At my first appointment I could tell that Denise was able to get right to the point of my problems.  After numerous therapy sessions I felt such a relief of my constant pain.  It is better now, I can sleep better and use less pain medication.  My goal is to avoid surgery and I feel hopeful that will be possible.
Read More
Denise Schwartz at Manual Touch is a marvelous diagnostician and therapist. During the past few years, I’ve sought out Denise’s care for various physical limitations. I am continually amazed by her ability to determine my discomfort’s cause as well as by the effectiveness of the exercises she recommends to ease my pain. She also knows how to best manipulate my aching joints to bring relief. I can whole-heartedly recommend Denise because she is a skilled, proficient, compassionate professional. … Read more
Read More
I saw Denise for ongoing heal pain as well as an athletic back pain injury. My back pain is gone and my heal pain (which I’ve had for several years) is significantly better so that it doesn’t interfere with activity. The exercises Denise gave me have strengthened my core and will prevent future injuries. Not only that, she provides personalized and attentive treatment the entire visit (much more personalized care than traditional PT centers). I highly recommend Denise!
Read More
Excellent, professional assessment and treatment for an older woman who’s had lots of failed therapy. Kind and compassionate and caring! Thanks.
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

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

Denise gave me confidence that she knew what was wrong and what to do about it, and under her care I quickly felt better and am now on the road to better fitness. She has a feel for what’s causing what, and is good technically and also good at making… Read more
Denise has worked on areas of severe pain and has diminished them to a tolerable level.
The physical therapy I received at The Manual Touch PT helped reduce my sciatica pain to a manageable level in just a few sessions.  The exercises I was given strengthened and trained my muscles to prevent further back problems allowing me to return… Read more
I needed help.  Denise and the manual touch provided the best customized, targeted therapy I could have found.  She put my torn knee back together, straightened my back, worked with me to regain the mobility I’d lost due to a neck injury, even ha… Read more
I can honestly say that Denise was the first physical therapist to listen to my story.   She has demonstrated more patience and compassion than any other therapist that I’ve ever met. For the past 8 years, I have been symptomatic with Ehlers Danlo… Read more
I had constant neck pain from a car accident 2 years ago.  I went through PT somewhere else without any good results.  I then was recommended to come to The Manual Touch PT. At my first appointment I could tell that Denise was able to get right … Read more
Denise Schwartz at Manual Touch is a marvelous diagnostician and therapist. During the past few years, I’ve sought out Denise’s care for various physical limitations. I am continually amazed by her ability to determine my discomfort’s cause as well a… Read more
I saw Denise for ongoing heal pain as well as an athletic back pain injury. My back pain is gone and my heal pain (which I’ve had for several years) is significantly better so that it doesn’t interfere with activity. The exercises Denise gave me have… Read more
Excellent, professional assessment and treatment for an older woman who’s had lots of failed therapy. Kind and compassionate and caring! Thanks.
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
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.