Back Pain and Sciatica

December 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Take it from someone who knows, back pain is bad, but I have never, ever experienced any more excruciating pain that sciatica.  In my experience, sciatica felt like a red-hot iron was pressing against the back of my leg, 24-7.  I’m know that there was some back pain involved as well, but frankly I really didn’t notice it that much back then.  Back and sciatica is the subject of the article below.  It mainly relates to athletes, but offers some good advice for all of us that suffer from back pain and sciatica.

Sciatica is a common problem for many people, including athletes, and can lead to pain that will radiate from the lower back to the leg. Sciatica is essential not a medical condition, but rather a severe symptom, caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. It is important for an athlete to recognize the symptoms of sciatica, because it can hinder his or her athletic ability, and eventually lead to severe back or leg complications.

Here is what every athlete should know regarding the symptoms and treatment of sciatica, so that he or she can get a diagnosis, and continue to play sports as desired.

Sciatica Symptoms

An athlete needs to be very aware of the symptoms of sciatica, in order to prevent

Back Pain and Sciatica

Back Pain and Sciatica

the condition from getting worse. Some of the most obvious symptoms of sciatica include lower back pain, pain that radiates down to the legs, and a feeling of pins or needles in the legs. The pain in the back might be sharp at times, especially if an athlete is playing sports, and it will get worse if he or she continues the activity. An athlete might also notice that the pain increases while coughing, sneezing, and even sitting down after strenuous activity. If an athlete chooses to lie down, he or she might notice the pain eases, especially if he or she is lying on a certain side of the body. There will also be noticeable pain if an athlete puts pressure on a certain part of the lower back, and he or she might be able to feel a small lump in the back. Muscle spasms might also accompany the lower back pain, and an athlete will be able to feel the spasms occur, especially if he or she is sitting down at a table or desk. The spasms might only last a few seconds, but can last hours, and it will feel like a knife being stuck into the back. An athlete might also notice discomfort or pain in the leg, which will get worse after he or she stops physical activity, and spasms could also occur in the leg.

Sciatica Treatment Options

Treatment options that are available for sciatica are fairly general in nature, but an athlete should always seek medical advice if the pain persists. The persistent pain could be a sign of a herniated disc or other serious medical condition, and an athlete should stop all physical activity until the medical condition is treated. One of the most common treatment options for an athlete with sciatica is bed rest. An athlete should stop all participation in sports during this time, and focus on lying in bed, and in a position which can relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. An athlete could also choose to take anti-inflammatory medications, which can relieve the inflammation around the sciatic nerve. Prescription pain medications or over-the-counter pain medications can be used to alleviate the pain associated with sciatica, and a back brace can be used to apply support to the lower back. An athlete should also seek out a sports doctor if the sciatica does not improve, since a sports doctor can help provide treatment specifically to help him or her get back to normal activity, especially if the injury was sports related. A sports doctor can determine the exact cause of the sciatica, use mobilization treatments for the spine, prescribe medications, and can give an athlete a sports massage. A sports massage can help relieve the pressure around the sciatic nerve, and can be beneficial for any other sports injuries. An athlete might also consider doing simple exercises to alleviate the lower back pain, which can help provide flexibility to the muscles, and take pressure off of the sciatic nerve. An athlete should focus on back exercises and leg exercises, since these are the specific regions that sciatica hits the hardest. If an athlete gets proper treatment, then he or she will be back playing sports within a matter of a week or two.

So, if you have been involved in some physical activity or exercise and start experiencing a sharp, hot pain down the back of your leg, then you are probably the unfortunate recipient of sciatic pain.  The following video will give you some suggestions for immediate treatment and, hopefully, some relief.

Back Pain and Sciatica

If, however, you are not a lot better in a few days, then you probably need to see a doctor who may prescribe some physical therapy and some pain medication.  Back pain and sciaticaare not fun, so don’t be afraid to seek some professional medical help to lessen your suffering and give you some relief.

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Filed Under: Back Pain Medications, Better Back News, Chiropractor Medicine, Chronic Back Pain Management, Cold Therapy Treatment, Low Back Pain Specialist, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Orthopedics Surgeon, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain, Sciatica Nerve, Treatment Options Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Back Problems Disc Pain

December 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Many people with back problems are afflicted with disc pain.  The discs are vital components of our backs and over the years, discs can wear down or be damaged.  This can result in back pain and discomfort.  The following article does a good job of explaining what back discs are and how they can cause pain.  There are also some good tips on how to take care of your discs in order to minimize any damage or pain.

Eighty percent of people experience back pain, and at any one point in time, approximately 20% of the population has back pain.

For many decades, doctors and scientists believed that most back pain was caused by “slipped” or “torn” discs. We now know this not to be true. Disc problems constitute only a small portion of the causes of back pain and rarely require surgery for pain relief.

Back Health - Disc Pain

Back Health - Disc Pain

Spinal discs are a critically important part of your spinal column. Along with the vertebrae, also called the spinal bones, they perform many functions. The discs provide shock absorption, protecting the spinal cord and ensuring flexibility of the spine. They also perform other functions.

The spinal discs are essentially ligaments (structures connecting bones) that attach to the top and bottom of each vertebra. They are thick, ligament-like outer rings, also known as annuli fibrosis. Because they are arranged in an alternating pattern with the vertebrae, annuli fibrosis allow flexibility while preventing the vertebrae from moving too much and causing injury. Inside a single annulus fibrosis is a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposis. It contains some proteins, but is primarily made up of water. The nucleus provides more shock absorption than does the annulus, and it also acts as a fulcrum to direct the type of movement through which each vertebra travels.

There are different types of disc injury. A disc “bulge” results from slight tears in the outermost fibers of an annulus fibrosis. These small tears can be painful for a short time. A disc protrusion/extrusion is a more significant injury. It results from a complete or significant tear of the fibers of an annulus-when some of the nucleus leaks through. A protrusion can also be painful and may even cause nerve compression that may cause neurologic changes such as weakness or numbness/tingling in the lower or upper extremities. In the most severe cases, the spinal cord can become compressed. The most common disc problem suffered by adults is degenerative disc disease. This occurs when the nucleus loses water and small tears develop in it. The body then forms osteophytes (bone spurs), along the edges of the vertebra and the disc space narrows.

Disc problems are most often diagnosed with the use of a thorough history and physical examination, including examination of your nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Your doctor will most likely move your back and arms and legs into various positions while applying pressure to your joints. Plain film x-rays are helpful in only some forms of disc problems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the mainstay for the diagnosis of disc problems, as it images the discs quite nicely. Your doctor may order an MRI if he or she feels it would be helpful in diagnosing a disc problem and determining the proper course of care for you. Most often, however, this is not necessary.

Luckily, in most circumstances, disc problems are easily treated with conservative interventions. Early in the course of an acute injury, your doctor of chiropractic will very likely set a goal of pain control, using several different physical modalities to reach it. Ice and heat have shown effectiveness in managing the pain of acute low-back injury. Your doctor of chiropractic will help you determine which is most effective for you. In addition, getting you back on your feet and moving as quickly as is safely possible is critical. Typically, the less time you spend in bed, the better off you are in terms of long-term results. You’ll also need to learn not to be afraid to move. If you “baby” your back, in most cases, the long-term results will be worse.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation has also been demonstrated to be a safe and effective tool in the management of disc problems. Manipulation is especially effective when combined with therapeutic exercise. In most circumstances, spine surgery and injections are not necessary in the management of disc problems and may cause more side effects than they’re worth. Your doctor of chiropractic will discuss all available treatment options with you and help you decide on the best course of action.

While regular exercise will help strengthen your back, research has demonstrated that staying fit and using proper body mechanics alone will not prevent injury. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that individuals do not lift more than 50 lbs. Further, activities that require awkward or prolonged postures and repetitive activities place individuals at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders and disc problems regardless of body mechanics and fitness level. Your doctor of chiropractic can conduct an ergonomic assessment of your work and home activities to help you prevent injury.

It is also critically important to have “spinal awareness.” Make a conscious effort, for example, to be aware of what posture you are maintaining when you sit, stand, lie down, work, and exercise. Lift objects with proper posture, including slightly bending your knees, keeping the object close to your body, keeping your back straight and lifting with your hips. Never lift an object by bending over and twisting. You’ll only invite a back injury.

Hopefully you have learned something from the above article and have a better understanding of how your back disc form a critical component of your back structure.  I don’t know about you, but if a little back education can help me avoid some back problems involving disc pain, then I’m all for it.  I wish I had known some of these facts earlier in my life.

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

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Filed Under: Chiropractor Medicine, Chronic Back Pain Management, Lower Back Pain Remedies, Primary Causes of Lower Back Pain Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Back Problems – Prevention

December 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Winter is here, maybe a little early, but it is here.  Winter means sports such as skiing, ice skating, hockey, sledding, etc.  It also means icy roads, sidewalks and parking lots.  And then there’s the snow that must be shoveled.  Any of these activities can lead to back problems, so naturally that leads us to the topic of back problems – prevention. This great article, by Drs. Brenda and Eric Slovin, offers some very worthwhile suggestions that you should review with your family as well as your co-workers.  Just a few minutes of your time could help prevent some back problems and misery for someone you care about.

As we dig into our closets looking for our skis, skates and snow shovels most don’t think of how often these fun-filled activities can lead to debilitating lower back pain.

A few of the most notable causes for injuries during the winter include: Slips and falls (especially when icy), show shoveling and sports injuries.

  • Slips and Falls — when the temperature starts to drop below freezing, many are likely to hurt themselves either from a slightly bruised ego or from a good bump to the pelvis. Fractures and sprains to the wrist, and shoulder are also quite common this time of year. If you are one of the unlucky ones to find yourself flat on your back, check in with your chiropractor. The jarring effects of a fall can easily move your sacroiliac joints out of their normal position causing you lower back pain, sciatica and even numbness or tingling in your toes.
  • Snow Shoveling — winter snow looks so fluffy … how deceiving! As we
    Back Problems - Prevention

    Back Problems - Prevention

    clear our walkways and driveways of the frozen stuff, we quickly learn it’s not as easy as first imagined. Snow packs together quickly, making it dense and heavy, and as the temperatures drop below freezing, well, as most of us know, ice is almost impossible to clear without help from heavy automated equipment. Generally, shoveling is great exercise; it puts a strong demand on the heart and works all the muscles of your lower and middle back. It’s for those very same reasons, when done improperly or without care, that it can also lead to injuries such as strains and sprains of the lower back, wrists, elbows, knees and shoulders, and puts some of us at greater risk for a heart attack.

If you’re looking to prevent “shovelitis”, follow these helpful steps:

  • Warm up by stretching those tight muscles and by jogging in place for a few minutes before heading out into the cold. Warm muscles don’t get injured as quickly as cold ones can.
  • Don’t overload the shovel with snow. One shovelful can weigh up to 25 pounds.
  • Always lift with your legs, always bend with your knees, never your back.
  • Never bend and twist. This is the worst possible combination for your lower back. If you want a back problem, this is the way to get one. Push the snow in front of you, never throwing it over your shoulder.
  • Spray your shovel with WD40. The snow will slide easily off the shovel, making shoveling much easier.
  • Take a break. This is will help you from becoming overtired, when you are most likely to injure yourself.
  • Winter Sports — sports such as skiing, snowboarding, hockey and sledding are not only a blast, they are one of the most popular reasons for winter injuries. Crashes are common on the mountains. Trees, bushes and other people don’t make for soft landings. Whiplash, concussions and injuries such as sprains and strains of just about every joint you can think of, always manage to surround these high speed sports. Always wear a helmet and use common sense.

The journal Spine recently published an article stating that chiropractic treatment of the lower back is one of the most effective options for pain relief. So if anyone is a painful victim of “shovelitis”, or manages to make their way into the trees while headed down the mountain, their next step should be an appointment with their chiropractor, who is a specialist at this stuff.

Whether or not you are a fan of winter, you must be prepared for the consequences of winter weather.  Don’t add a lot of unnecessary expense and agony to your life by injuring yourself in the winter snow or ice.  Focus on the prevention of back problems!

To view the original source of this article, please click here.

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Filed Under: Back Pain Medications, Better Back News, Chiropractor Medicine, Chronic Lumbar Strain, Low Back Pain Physical Therapy, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Spasms, Treatment Options

Back Pain Muscle

December 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Back pain can be caused by several things, among those strained muscles or muscle spasms.  But what you may not know about is how your back pain can be impacted by the piriformis muscle.  This little known back pain muscle is explained in the following article as well as how it can impact your back problems.

Low back problems resulting in sciatica certainly get their fair share of publicity. In fact, they’re the most frequently diagnosed conditions e  ach year in the United States.

But what you may not know is that many cases of buttock and leg pain are caused by the piriformis muscle. It’s a muscle that lives deep inside your hip joint which can become tight or spasm and cause pain in a very similar fashion to sciatica.

Back Pain Muscle

Back Pain Muscle

If you have pain in this area you should be examined at your first available opportunity to prevent a sudden worsening of the disorder. Because diagnostic accuracy is necessary to produce the best clinical outcome possible, your clinician will need to perform a variety of clinical tests to both your hip and back before initiating treatment of any kind.

Piriformis syndrome can be extremely painful and can linger for months. It can substantially impact your daily life in the absence of formal treatment, so read on to see some of the more common features of piriformis syndrome and whether or not you need to be seen in a clinic.

Piriformis syndrome, unlike sciatica, often worsens throughout the day. Sciatica is classically caused by mechanical problems in the low back that frequently ease with a little movement, a change in position or with walking. But because piriformis syndrome is muscular, it will likely worsen with increasing activity.

Symptoms are typically felt deep in the buttock in addition to other places in the leg. Classically, symptoms of sciatica emanating from the low back migrate to different places in the leg throughout the day. Piriformis symptoms tend to show up more consistently in the same place without much variation.

If you have stiffness anywhere in your hip you’re a candidate for acquiring the condition. If you have trouble getting your shoes on, crossing your legs when you sit or experience stiffness when bending forward, you’re going to have to take some steps towards regaining your mobility.

“Throbbing” and “toothache-like” pain are the two most common symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome. You may get a sharp pain or two if you move the wrong way, but generally speaking, most people describe piriformis syndrome with adjectives that suggest it feels unrelenting.

A limp is a telltale sign that you need to get checked out. It indicates that the surrounding musculature of your hip, leg and trunk are unable to maintain your normal gait. Limping invariably leads to more limping and thus more pain, so get checked out quickly — a limp can be notoriously difficult to chase away.

Don’t sit directly on your wallet. Where your wallet sits in your seat pocket is exactly where the piriformis muscle lives. Prolonged compression on the muscle will pinch a portion of the sciatic nerve — which lives right underneath the muscle — and give you a case of piriformis-induced sciatica.

If you have ever had sciatic pain, then you know how much discomfort the piriformis muscle can cause.  Educating yourself about this back pain muscle can hopefully help you prevent some of your back problems.

To see the original source of this article, please click here.

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Filed Under: Chiropractor Medicine, Lower Back Injuries, Lower Back Spasms, Orthopedics Surgeon, Sciatica Nerve

Smoking and Back Pain

November 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you suffer with back pain and are also a smoker, then the following article will be on interest to you.  According to a study conducted in Australia, smoking and back pain are related, and if you want to have a better chance of achieving better back health, then you should consider quitting smoking.

SMOKERS have an increased risk of back pain and cigarette packets should include that link, chiropractors say.

Smoking and Back Pain

Smoking and Back Pain

Chiropractors’ Association of Australia SA president Dr Brett Hill says smoking dehydrates spinal discs which provide shock absorption for the back.

He said including the warning on cigarette packets could give smokers an immediate reason to consider quitting, while warnings about tooth decay and lung cancer indicated future problems for smokers.

“Back pain is something that people are rather fearful of; back pain can be debilitating,” Dr Hill said.

“Research shows there is an incidence and prevalence of non-specific back pain which increases with cigarette consumption.”

Dr Hill said spinal discs separate vertebrae, but shrink when they dehydrate.

“Sufficient space is required between vertebrae for the nerves, so the messages they send are not interrupted.”

He said smoking also had an impact on the ability to exercise efficiently, because it affected the lungs and ability to breathe.

“When smokers reduce their exercise levels, they also reduce their muscle strength and body structure, leaving the whole body’s level of health depleted and susceptible to injury,” Dr Hill said.

Adam Beltchev, 36, quit smoking two months ago after lighting up for about 20 years.

“One of the things that I’ve found is that I’ve got a lot more energy so I can do more exercise and strengthen my muscles,” he said.

He said he also no longer felt consistent pain or stiffness after exercising.

“I would often substitute a meal for a cigarette. I find I eat healthier now,” he said.

So, if you are a smoker, you can accomplish multiple goals when you quit smoking–you can improve your respiratory health as well as you back health.  Smoking and back pain go hand in hand.  That should be enough incentive to stop this nasty habit.

To view this article at the original source, please click here.

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Filed Under: Better Back News, Chiropractor Medicine, Chronic Back Pain Management, Lower Back Pain Remedies

Chiropractor Medicine

August 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment

ChiropractoChiropractor medicine is primarily the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the musculoskeletal system as well as how those problems affect the nervous system and a patient’s general health.  It is based on the principle that misalignments in the spinal joints can interfere with the nervous system and can result in a patient being less resistent to disease and can cause many different health problems. 

Chiropractors believe that the body has the inherent ability to heal itself.  They follow a routine similar to medical doctors when diagnosing a patient’s problem.  They may take the patient’s medical history, conduct a physical examination as well as order various lab tests.  X-Rays are oftenused by chiropractors to diagnose patient’s problems. 

Doctors of chiropractic medicine use mechanical manipulation as one method to help your body resolve its problems.  Chiropractors may also use nutrition counseling, massage, stretching, and supervised exercise therapy.  However, chiropractors cannot prescribe medication or perform surgery.  Many people use chiropractors as part of their back pain treatment.

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