Back Pain Lower Back
August 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Back pain, particularly lower back pain, affects one in every three adults at some point in the lifetimes; a chilling statistic when viewed in the light of the devastation that back pain can cause. When we take a cursory glance at the human skeletal system, we soon discover that the thickness of each vertebrae decreases as the spine descends.
The major load-bearing spinal region extends from below the ribcage to the pelvic crest and is also responsible for the throughput of every nerve message that is conveyed to and from the buttocks, legs and feet. Once we grasp the enormity of the numerous tasks the spine is required to perform throughout our lifetimes, we begin to appreciate why the spine, particularly the lower spine, must be maintained in a quality condition for it to not only survive but to perform effectively.
Spinal degeneration invariably produces back pain, and generally results in vertebral and intervertebral compression. For any lower back pain regime to be effective in reducing pain, it must achieve spinal de-compression as well as addressing another three vital elements necessary for recovery. Compression needs to be routinely and significantly reversed for the pain to be diminished.
Living with reduced pain demands that three vital elements be present; 1) restoration of symmetry within the body, 2) restoration of elasticity within the soft tissue surrounding and supporting the spine, and 3) restoration of specific spinal support strength.
It is crucial to understand that if the lower back structure remains compressed because of various weight-bearing activities, the potential to recover from the pain remains extremely limited with the exception of course of the dubious philosophy of masking the pain by means of potent medication.
Even when the effects of spinal compression have had irreversible consequences, the human spine possesses an impressive capacity to recover in an environment of consistent de-compression, as well as its ability to perform effectively provided the de-compression is routinely and systematically performed.
Sufferers so often refrain from at least one of the 3 movement functions; lateral rotation, lateral flexion, and mid-line flexion/extension due to painful experiences in attempting the function/s, however within an appropriate regime, the essential movement functions can significantly and necessarily be restored. All are significantly impaired by lumbar spine compression, and it is important to know that effective restoration of these three movement functions is pivotal to the sufferer’s recovery.
There are enormous benefits to be gained by de-compressing the spine each day before weight is applied to the lower back, and it is fundamental to embrace the fact that this can only be achieved via a protocol that respects the inherent spinal complexities, yet done in a simple and workable way within the lifestyle and timeframe of the sufferer. This can be achieved, on average, in 15 minutes per day, much of which is necessarily done prior to the spine becoming weight-bearing for the day.
Back Pain and it’s Usual Causes
August 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Back pain makes up for a large percentage of medical complaints. The good news is that back pain usually goes away within a few weeks if it was caused by pulled muscles. A backache can be one of the most difficult and frustrating problems for not only patients, but their doctors as well.
The key to proper treatment is to understand the cause of your pain. Because the cause of back pain often eludes even the best doctors, they will diligently look for the cause to find the best and most effective form of treatment.
The most common causes of back pain are:
Muscle strains are one of the most common causes of general back pain and low back pain. While patients may not always remember the incident that triggered a muscle spasm, most back pain resulting from muscle strain fades completely within a few weeks.
Another frequent cause of back pain is a ruptured intervertebral disc, commonly referred to as a herniated disc.
A common cause of low back pain is discogenic back pain. Discogenic back pain is the result of damage to the intervertabral disc, but without disc herniation. A discogram may be needed to diagnose discogenic back pain.
Spinal stenosis is another source of back pain in older people. As people get older, the spinal canal can tighten because of arthritis and other problems. Back pain can result from the spinal cord becoming too tight.
In most cases, arthritis causes problems in joints, for example, the knees and fingers. Arthritis can affect all the joints in the body, whether joints of the knees and fingers or the small joints of the spine, which can cause back pain with movement. When there is arthritis of the spine, any movement can cause back pain.
If the adjacent vertebra becomes unstable and starts to “slip”, causing back pain, this is a symptom of spondylolisthesis. The most common cause is degenerative change resulting from the loss of the normal stabilizing structures of the spine. Back pain can become a problem if the spine becomes unstable enough.
It is difficult to determine the cause of backaches. The list cited previously is only a handful of the many causes of chronic back ailments. No one should have to suffer from extreme or long term back pain because a competent physician can diagnose and treat the cause.
Low Back Pain & Sciatica - The Piriformis Muscle Can be the Cause
July 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Low back Pain & Sciatica can be very painful conditions, where pain is felt either in the low back & / or passing down the leg from either the low back or buttock region. There are several reasons as to why you may suffer with Low Back Pain or Sciatica, but a tight Piriformis muscle is a relatively common cause.
Deep within the buttock region is where the Piriformis muscle can be found. It is actually attached to the Sacrum, and then travels outwards where it attaches to the outside of the hip. As the Sciatic Neve passes through the buttock area, it travels through, or underneath, the Piriformis muscle.
A tight Piriformis muscle will place increased stress upon the Sciatic Nerve as it passes through or underneath it, potentially aggravating the Sciatic Nerve and causing pain. On the other hand, as far as Low Back Pain is concerened, it is the constant ‘tugging’ upon the Sacrum, caused by the tight Piriformis muscle, which is the problem.
The Sacrum forms half of the Sacro-Iliac joint (Sacro referring to the Sacrum and Iliac referring to a specific part of the pelvis) and if the sacrum is being pulled on too much, there will be increased stresses placed across the Sacro-Iliac joint, which itself can ultimately lead to pain.
If you find that your Low Back Pain begins not in the lower back itself, but rather a little further down (but above the buttock region), there is a reasonable chance it is Sacro-Iliac pain your are suffering with. Some people often say to me it feels as if the pain is coming from an area below their back where there are a ‘couple of dimples’. This is in the area of the Sacro-Iliac joint and if you feel the same, it maybe this joint which is the source of your pain.
Moving on to Sciatica, if the ‘highest’ part of your pain is in the ‘buttock’ region, it is highly probable that a tight Piriformis muscle is responsible for your pain. You will need to stretch this muscle if this is the case.
Towards the bottom of this page, you will find an active link which will show you a couple of nice gentle stretches for the Piriformis muscle.
Massage is an excellent way of loosening up this muscle, and by using a small ball (maybe a tennis ball or something similar) this is something you can try yourself:
First of all you need to lay yourself on the floor, with your knees slightly bent. From here, place the ball underneath the appropriate buttock and gently massage your buttock against the ball, by moving your pelvis from side to side nad around in circles.
This self massage exercise can be an excellent way of loosening up the Piriformis Muscle. However be careful, as it may also aggravate your Sciatica if the pain is still quite sensitive. This is because not only will you be massaging the Piriformis muscle, but also the Sciatic Nerve as it passes through or underneath it. Consequently, it may stir your pain up a little.
If you do happen to make your pain a little worse with this exercise, do not concern yourself too much. OK, so we would rather not have aggravated things, however, this increase in pain is simply your body’s way of telling you that you need to slow down. This is because it is not strong enough for that particular exercise yet. Take heed of this warning and stop performing that exercise until the pain quietens back down. Once it has, gently re-introduce the same exercise, only this time try not to be quite as firm!
Exercises such as stretching and massage are an excellent way of loosening up a tight Piriformis muscle. Consequently, if it is tightness in this muscle which is responsible for your pain, your pain should soon begin to resolve itself.
Common Causes of Back Pain
July 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Back pain is among the most common injuries and aliments in America, with over half of all people experiencing back pain at some point. Back pain is often caused by neglecting back health, and is a common cause of missed days at work.
The truth is that back pain can be avoided simply by visiting your professional and maintaining good health and posture habits.
Some describe their back pain as a dull ache, while say others say it’s a sharp, stabbing pain. Some describe it as a feeling of stiffness or numbness.
At its worse, back pain may be debilitating, an unbearable agony that can leave a sufferer bed-ridden, experiencing nausea, vomiting and even fever. Back pains may be temporary (e.g., caused by pregnancy or as a symptom of another disorder), permanent (e.g., caused by a spinal disorder) or sporadic (e.g., caused by bad posture).
Whatever the cause, sufferers all agree that back pain results in physical and emotional difficulty. Unfortunately, back pain is a vicious cycle. Back pain, in and of itself, creates more back pain. Sufferers have poor posture, stooping over to alleviate some of the pain. This poor walking creates more back pain, making the problem worse.
What are some causes?
– Age, an unavoidable fact of life, brings with it back pain. It can be made worse with back disorders such as spinal stenosis.
– Temporary back pain which is often experienced by pregnant women and women with menopause. Some people mention they experience a type of “nervous’ back pain.
– Degeneration of joint tissue, or cartilage, caused by arthritis.
– Sports and car injuries are another common cause. Lumbar strains, vertebrae fractures can cause specifically located back strain.
– Work related muscle stress, which may be caused by stooping or slouching as you work.
– Certain viral and bacterial infections, e.g., meningitis or a urinary tract infection, may cause back pain.
– Congenital back pain may be caused by certain inherent diseases (those a person may be born with, e.g., curvature of the spine).
– Back pain may be a symptom of a number of diseases, including kidney disease, gall bladder infection, etc.
If you experience back pain that lasts for more than a few days, you should contact your doctor or other professional for treatment advice. There are many treatment options, including alternative treatments that are non-invasive.
Low Back Pain & Sciatica - The Role of the Piriformis Muscle
July 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Low Back Pain and Scaitica (where pain is felt travelling down the leg) are two different conditions. Having said that, they can be closely related with regards to their cause. One such similarity is a tight Piriformis muscle, which can be responsible for either condition.
Deep within the buttock region is where the Piriformis muscle can be found. It is actually attached to the Sacrum, and then travels outwards where it attaches to the outside of the hip. As the Sciatic Neve passes through the buttock area, it travels through, or underneath, the Piriformis muscle.
A tight Piriformis muscle will place increased stress upon the Sciatic Nerve as it passes through or underneath it, potentially aggravating the Sciatic Nerve and causing pain. On the other hand, as far as Low Back Pain is concerened, it is the constant ‘tugging’ upon the Sacrum, caused by the tight Piriformis muscle, which is the problem.
At the very bottom of the back there is the Sacro-Iliac Joint. This is formed by the Sacrum and the Ilia (the specific part of the pelvis to which the Sacrum attatches to). If a tight Piriformis muscle continues to pull upon the Sacrum, this stress will also be felt upon the Sacro-Iliac Joint. It is this continuous stress across the joint which will lead to pain.
If you find that your Low Back Pain begins not in the lower back itself, but rather a little further down (but above the buttock region), there is a reasonable chance it is Sacro-Iliac pain your are suffering with. Some people often say to me it feels as if the pain is coming from an area below their back where there are a ‘couple of dimples’. This is in the area of the Sacro-Iliac joint and if you feel the same, it maybe this joint which is the source of your pain.
Moving on to Sciatica, if the ‘highest’ part of your pain is in the ‘buttock’ region, it is highly probable that a tight Piriformis muscle is responsible for your pain. You will need to stretch this muscle if this is the case.
It would be too difficult, and probably confusing, to try and describe a Piriformis stretch without the use of a diagram. Therefore, I have placed a link below which will show you how to stretch a tight Piriformis muscle.
There are alternatives to stretching, or maybe I should say additions to stretching, which are very effective at making this muscle more supple. One way is by using a small ball, such as a tennis ball:
Lie yourself on your back with your knees bent. Place the ball approximately in the middle of buttock on the side which needs to be massaged (this is approximately where the Piriformis muscle is). From there, gently ‘roll’ the ball by moving / rotating your buttock, so that the ball gently massages the area underneath.
Due to the close proximity of the Sciatic Nerve to the Piriformis muscle, it is important you take care while performing this exercise. If you are too aggressive, you may simpy end up aggravating the Sciatic Nerve and therefore making your pain worse.
If it does, this is nothing to worry about. However, it is your body’s way of telling you it is not ready for that kind of treatment yet. Have a rest for a day or two and then try again, only being a little gentler next time!
Exercises such as stretching and massage are an excellent way of loosening up a tight Piriformis muscle. Consequently, if it is tightness in this muscle which is responsible for your pain, your pain should soon begin to resolve itself.