Karen Litzy, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist
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Co-authored Articles (14)
How to Effectively Crack Your Back
Achieve cracks or pops with these exercises and stretches Looking for that feeling of relief you get when you pop your back? ​Cracking your back feels good because it can release tension and increase your range of moti...
How to
Crack Your Upper Back
After sitting or standing for long periods, your back may be sore. Cracking your back can alleviate pain caused by soreness, leaving you feeling refreshed. The process of cracking your back is simple, but be careful. You...
How to Decompress Your Back at Home
Find relief from back pain with these easy stretches and sleeping positions Over time, the vertebrae in your spine tend to wear down or compress, limiting flexibility and causing discomfort, numbness, or pain. Spinal dec...
How to
Rehydrate Spinal Discs
''Simple, natural ways to rehydrate and regenerate your spinal discs''The adult spine loses up to 20 mm (about 3/4 inch) of disc height each day due to loss of fluid from the disc. Sleeping helps regain some, but not all...
Exercising with Sciatica: Aerobics, Core Exercises, Stretches & More
Nothing makes you want to skip the gym more than sciatica pain. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, making it sensitive to injury or pain from compression, kinking, or physical trauma. Rest is definitely...
How to Straighten Your Spine to Correct Your Posture
The top stretches, habits, and exercises to help you stand tall The spinal column runs down the middle of your back and contains the spinal cord, which is like a superhighway of nerves that connect your brain to every ti...
How to
Sleep with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve, which runs from the hand to the forearm, becomes compressed. This can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including pain in the hand and wrist, numbnes...
How to
Treat Carpal Tunnel Without Surgery
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that affects the hands and arms. It is commonly caused by a compressed nerve located in the wrist. Certain factors can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, such as an abnormal anato...
How to
Relieve Sciatica Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy-related sciatica may cause discomfort in the middle of your buttocks and down 1 leg. Fortunately, there are many ways to ease the pain. Relieve pressure on your sciatic nerve with small changes like wearing a p...
How to
Get Rid of Lower Back Pain
If you're suffering from lower back pain, you're not alone. As many as 80 percent of adults experience persistent lower back pain at some point in their lives. Fortunately, most lower back pain can be eliminated with sim...
How to
Live With Bulging Discs
Bulging discs occur as a result of an injury, excessive strain, or the natural aging process. The discs in your spine provide a natural cushion between the vertebrae. Over time, they naturally become flattened and lose t...
How to
Diagnose Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome is a painful condition that occurs when the piriformis — the largest of the muscles that help to rotate the hips — compresses the sciatic nerve, which extends from your spinal cord into your lower...
How to
Use Water Exercises for Back Pain
Regular exercise can help treat back pain, though people who suffer from back pain should choose low-impact exercises that don't increase stress on the spinal vertebrae or other joints. Water is a great way to get exerci...
How to
Get Rid of Back Pain
Back pain can be quite uncomfortable, but it usually goes away after a few weeks of home treatment. However, once you have back pain, it’s more likely to recur. Back pain can be brought on by heavy lifting or sudden un...
