Exercise Routines That Work For Lower Back Pain

spinal stenosis

Low back pain is one of the most common complaints in those over the age of 21. A number of different conditions can cause low back pain, though muscle irritation is one of the most common causes. Other causes of pain in the lower back are spinal stenosis and disc herniation, otherwise known as a "slipped disc." While severe cases of lower back pain may require frightening surgical treatment, such as spinal fusion or disc replacement surgery, most cases can be treated through at-home methods (thankfully!)

Doctors recommend a number of different remedies that can help you alleviate that aggravating pain in your lower back. For instance, losing weight can have obvious benefits, not just for your back, but for your overall health, as well. Proper ergonomics is also vital. That means no more sitting down in the recliner slouched over or working in a desk chair without proper back and arm support. However, the best method for dealing with lower back pain is exercise. Most sufferers of back pain believe that physical exertion will actually make the problem worse, but the truth is a different matter.

In fact, core strengthening is one of the most frequently recommended options to deal with spinal stenosis or a slipped disc. Why do you need to work out to help ease that nagging pain in your lower spine? Won't exercise just intensify that feeling of pressure and discomfort?

Actually, core strengthening is capable of reducing low back pain by a considerable degree. Many sufferers report that their symptoms are almost completely gone within just a few weeks of starting a workout routine. These exercises help strengthen the muscles in your abdomen, sides and in your lower back. Additionally, they seem to be an excellent way to relieve tension in those taut back muscles, as well. What constitutes a good workout for back pain sufferers?

First, you'll need to find a low-impact workout. Do not attempt jogging, running or other forms of exercise that jar the entire body. This is a quick way to exacerbate your back pain. You'll need to find a different option to attain the pain relief you seek. Thankfully, there are numerous options available that offer very real benefits. What's the lineup, you ask? The first step should actually be a visit to your doctor, who will diagnose your condition and recommend a series of exercises. If you have already been to the doctor and are still searching for the best exercise routine, you have several options.

Yoga offers very real benefits and can strengthen those core muscles. However, if flexing and stretching while meditating does not appeal to you, there are other options, as well. An exercise ball can give you access to tremendous exercise options, as well as the reduced impact that you need to save your back extra aggravation. Abdominal workouts, such as sit-ups and crunches will also help strengthen those ailing core muscles.

Regardless of the type of exercise you choose, the key is to get up and get active. Sitting still does nothing to improve your level of discomfort.

When choosing a workout routine, make sure that you have the tools necessary for the task at hand. You won't need a weight bench or even free weights (weight training can further harm your back, so don't do it!). However, an exercise ball can be found for only a few dollars, while yoga requires little more than a foam mat and a spot on the floor. More exotic options exist, of course, but simple is usually better.

Do you suffer from low back pain? If so, what exercises have you tried? Did your doctor recommend a specific workout?

Sciatic Nerve Stretches Are a Proven Way to Reduce Pain and Increase Mobility

spinal stenosis

What is Sciatica?

The condition of sciatica is the pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. This can be caused by a number of situations such as a herniated or slipped disc, piriformis (the piriformis muscle within the buttocks becomes tight), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) and spondylolisthesis (slippage of one vertebra so that it becomes misaligned with others). Sufferers feel pain radiating downward from the buttock over the back and side of the lower limb.

What are Sciatic Nerve Stretches?

These are exercises designed to specifically target the lower part of the body which is affected by pain from the sciatic nerve. Exercises help increase flexibility as well as enhance core body strength.

Why Should One Consider Doing Sciatic Nerve Stretches?

Because it works! Sciatica is a condition which is largely treatable. In addition to these stretches, there are a number of other routes to pain management including medication, cortisone / anti-inflammatory spinal injections and surgery. For those wishing to avoid the more invasive methods of surgery or injections, performing this type of exercise is ideal. Furthermore, the use of anti-inflammatory and pain medication is rarely a long term solution. Here, there is also the additional risk of the effectiveness of such medications falling over time.

Furthermore, sciatic nerve stretches are relatively easy to do and can be done at a place and time of choice.

Which are the Best Exercises or Stretches to Help Ease Pain from Sciatica?

While the type of exercise should target the exact cause of sciatica, sufferers should also focus on muscle imbalance as well as doing light aerobic work (such as walking). Bed rest, while often recommended, is only suitable for a short term basis as the body needs movement to help the healing process. The best sciatic nerve stretches focus on the lower back area and work on easing muscle tightness as well as building up core and muscle strength. Stretches should be performed regularly (say twice a day) and the number of repetitions would be dependent on the strength of the body.

How Does Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Progress Into Adult Scoliosis?

spinal stenosis

There are multiple different kinds of scoliosis, which is a term that refers to abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine. With regards to the different kinds of scoliosis, there are those that occur in childhood and those that occur in adults.

Scoliosis that occurs prior to adulthood can be subclassified into juvenile, adolescent, congenital, and neuromuscular. The most common type is referred to as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The term "idiopathic" means there is no known cause. The good thing about scoliosis in adolescents is that the spine has the following characteristics:

1. Until skeletal maturity is reached, the spine can potentially respond to bracing as it may be flexible.


2. Only a minority of kids with adolescent scoliosis experience pain. It's noted to be less than 25%.


3. If an adolescent does need surgery for scoliosis, the physiologic reserve is tremendous and the complication profile is reasonable.

Bracing for adolescent scoliosis can help prevent the progression of curvature, but not reversal. If skeletal maturity is reached and the curvature is under 40 degrees, the scolisosis may not progress according to various studies. However, if it's over 40 degrees studies show the natural progression after skeletal maturity to be approximately one degree per year. Might not seem like much, but after 30 years, the curve may be at 70 degrees!

Once skeletal maturity is reached and the curvature is over 30 to 40 degrees, surgery is not always indicated. The curve should be monitored every year or two along with the patient's symptoms.

As the patient settles into adulthood, additional factors come into play. Meaning adults who had adolescent sciolosis have spines that are typically loaded off-center and subjected more often to arthritis of the spinal joints and degenerative disc disease. The spinal discs can be loaded off-center and experience asymmetric degeneration leading to a worsened scoliosis.

As the scoliosis worsens, the biomechanics of the spine actually compound the situation, creating arthritis in the spinal facet joints and making the scoliosis painful. This is a major difference between adolescent and adult scoliosis - Pain! While adult scoliosis can be exceptionally painful, adolescent scoliosis is typically more of a cosmetic issue.

The increased facet joint arthritis and degenerative disc disease brought on by the asymmetric scoliosis leads to two problems:

1. Worsening scoliosis


2. More pain

So adolescent scoliosis can lead to adult degenerative scoliosis. Adult degenerative scoliosis can occur all on its own, but a significant amount of the time it is a continuation of what occurred in the person's early years. Unfortunately the gift that keeps on giving.

Adult Stem Cells Revolutionize Back Surgery

spinal stenosis

For decades the only solution for men and women who suffer from chronic, debilitating back pain has been a choice between invasive surgery, or the long-term use of strong painkillers. Neither option addresses the underlying causes of back pain, nor do they promise a real solution.

But today, the use of adult stem cells to regenerate spinal tissue offers men and women with upper and lower back pain a new option for rehabilitation that combines cutting edge technology with up-to-date science.

Back pain of any kind can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, congenital defect, and even simple aging. As the tissues that surround and cushion the vertebrae in the spine are compromised, spinal discs become damaged and the result is terrible pain.

Traditional treatments include rest, painkillers, and eventually invasive surgery. In all cases, the pain may return and disc degeneration can continue. The tissues that surround the spine actually become dry and thin, and fail to cushion the discs of the spine.

The commonplace phrase of having "slipped a disc" or "ruptured a disc" is actually evidence of tissue degeneration that can lead to limited mobility and suffering.

In the past these spinal tissues couldn't be repaired, and could not grow back. For this reason back pain was often a lifelong affliction that negatively impacted all aspects of a person's life.

But with the discovery of adult stem cells, a new horizon has been opened-up for those whose day-to-day lives have been disrupted by back pain.

Mesenchymal stem cells, harvested from the patients themselves, are being used by surgeons and scientists around the world to regrow cartilage and other tissues that were previously thought damaged beyond repair. Since the cells come from the patient's own body, the risk of tissue rejection is small, and the healing process a great deal faster.

Mesenchymal stem cells are unique because they are able to differentiate into bone tissue, cartilage tissue, or fat tissue. By injecting these cells into areas of the spine suffering from tissue degeneration, modern surgeons like Dr. Mark Flood of Celling Treatment Centers in Austin, Texas, are able to use a patient's own body to facilitate recovery from previously incurable back pain.

The surgery itself is quickly completed, minimally invasive, and sometimes conducted on an outpatient basis by only the most skilled back surgeons. Gone are the long hospital stays and painful recovery times of traditional back surgery, as well as the dependence on painkillers associated with treatment.

With this new advancement in scientific understanding and medical technology those currently struggling with back pain have a new option that could change their lives forever; it can offer them the ability to regain their previous mobility, or even enjoy a pain-free life for the first time.

Relief For Spinal Stenosis With Spinal Decompression

spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition associated with advancing age. As people grow older, if they do not take care of their spine and are not leading an active and healthy lifestyle, their bones can begin to deteriorate and problems such as spinal stenosis can begin to show up. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the inter-vertebral spaces in the spinal cord, which puts pressure on the nerves that branch outward from the spine and causes pain.

One of the major causes of this condition is advancing age. It is more common in men and women who are over the age of 50. Older people are also more likely to develop arthritis, which is a degenerative disease that wears away joints and cartilage. It can cause bone spurs and is a contributing factor to spinal stenosis.

What is spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that gently stretches taking pressure off the compressed nerves and areas affected by spinal stenosis. The patient is strapped in and the straps are attached to a computer-guided machine that gently and precisely stretches out the bones in the spine to decompress the vertebrae. This pulling and separating of the bones in the spine allows oxygen and nutrients to flood into the once-compressed area, allowing it to begin the healing process.

What are the symptoms of spinal stenosis?

Symptoms sometimes appear slowly and worsen over time. They can include:

• Back or neck pain


• Numbness, weakness or pain in the arms and legs


• Shooting pain down the leg


• Foot pain

What are the treatment options?

Non-surgical treatment options include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications


• Pain relievers


• Rest


• Physical Therapy


• Back brace to stabilize and protect the lower back


• Acupuncture


• Chiropractic treatments including spinal decompression


• Exercise

What can be done to prevent further chiropractic issues?

Leading a more active, healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, lots of water and consistent exercise can help prevent many back problems.

Certain exercises, such as Yoga and Pilates, focus on strengthening the body's core strength and are good for keeping the spine limber and flexible. Moving and stretching keeps the spine mobile and helps prevent arthritis and spinal stenosis from developing. Swimming, bicycle riding, vigorous walking with swinging arms and moderate weight training will protect the spine by building up the muscles and supporting structures of the spine.

After a series of spinal decompression sessions, your Chiropractor may give you a series of exercises to do at home so that your back will continue to heal. You will want to maintain a consistent exercise routine to keep your back and the rest of your body in the best shape possible. Before you find a Chiropractor in Springfield, VA, do your research. Don't be afraid to ask for patient references or the amount of experience the chiropractor has.

What Is Spinal Stenosis Laser Surgery?

spinal stenosis

A major hindrance for many people, especially those beyond the age of 50, is a disease known as spinal stenosis. This type of body disorder occurs in the spinal column hence everyday task such as walking and bending is now becoming a tough activity. Fortunately, much like other body ailments, spinal stenosis has a cure.

Spinal stenosis is a body condition that narrows the spinal canal, where the spinal cord, nerve roots and vertebrae are located. Often, the lumbar vertebrae - or the lower back - is at risk and this can result in pain and numbness all through the body, especially in the legs. In severe cases, body imbalance which may result in regular falling occurs, as well as the loss of bladder control.

For patients who are experiencing spinal stenosis at milder level, non-invasive methods can be applied. Some of these methods include medications and physical therapy. But for more serious cases, a spinal stenosis laser surgery is greatly recommended.

There are three types of laser surgeries that are commonly utilized to treat spinal stenosis. One is foraminotomy, or the process of cutting the foramen so that the nerves can pass the inside of the spine easily and at a normal level. The opening on each side of the vertebrae lining in the spine is called the foramen. In case the foramens are narrowed, much strain can be applied to the nerves and thus can be what is causing your pain.

The second type of surgery is the lamonitomy. This procedure involves the cutting of the lamina. This will enhance the space in the affected area in order to release trapped nerves. The bony walls on each side of the vertebrae are called lamina. These walls protect the spinal canal and must maintain their size and position, otherwise, it will apply more pressure to the spinal cord.

The laminectomy is the third type of common laser surgery and it is often required in more severe cases. The laminectomy means the complete removal of the lamina. The difference between the lamonitomy and the laminectomy is that the former is less invasive as the latter is often deemed as an open surgery.

Undergoing laser surgery can ultimately treat spinal stenosis. These surgeries are simple procedures and often take few hours for recovery after the treatment is done. Most importantly, these types of surgeries have greater rate of success and hence are highly recommended to those with severe cases of spinal stenosis.

How to Stop the Ugly Pain of Spinal Stenosis!

spinal stenosis

Spinal Stenosis sufferers everywhere --rejoice! A new day is upon us! Yes I'm talking about the recent popularity of the use of cetylmyristoleate (CMO) to combat the UGLY pain associated with joint pain and Spinal Stenosis pain.

Cetylmyristoleate CMO), was first discovered way back in the early 1960's at The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. by a research chemist named Harry Diehl. While he was studying the immunity of mice, Mr. Diehl accidentally discovered an ester substance with a waxy /milky-like form that could travel to the joints and lubricate the region that was degenerating. With the newly "lubed" joint, comes the added benefit of joint pain relief and better mobility.

It wasn't until 1994 that Mr. Diehl introduced cetylmyristoleate (CMO) to the general public.

First published in the 1994 issue of the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and with the double clinical studies that followed, it was concluded that cetylmyristoleate(CMO) is effective in the treatment of many forms of arthritis joint pain and spinal canal degeneration.

Needless to say, many of us spinal stenosis sufferers are thankful for the arrival and rise of this new joint pain supplement!-- The lubricating properties go right to work, reducing and in some cases, eliminating the pain associated with medium to severe cases of any type of joint related ailment, including degenerative arthritis; gout; spinal stenosis; bursitis and fibromyalgia.

So the cetlylmyristoleate (CMO) goes to work immediately-- and before too long, you just feel better and you also move better too! -- it improves your lifestyle--all naturally and without the use of harmful drugs.

What I like about cetylmyristoleate is the fact that so many doctors use it, and swear by it because of the lubricating properties that are in it. They approve it and many of them recommend it to their patients to aid in their recuperation from Spinal Decompression therapy and from the excruciating pain of degenerative arthritis; and also from spinal canal degeneration.

As we age our body stops producing bone and cartilage nutrients. The spine discs degenerate; the spinal canal narrows (exposing nerve endings) and the inflammation is painful and constant. In many lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis cases cetylmyristoleate (with its fatty acid lubrication) helps to alleviate the excruciating pain.

Keep in mind that not all joint pain relief systems work on everybody. Research shows that cetylmyristoleate(CMO) helps about 80% of those who use it in about 3 weeks.

You might want to consider using a quality cetylmyristoleate product if you suffer from medium to severe joint pain; spinal stenosis pain or if you are hampered with poor mobility and range of motion.

Relief of Sciatica

spinal stenosis

Following steps to keep your back in top condition should become part of your daily regimen, when you have sciatica pain. When a flare-up occurs, taking a pain pill or anti-inflammatory will just mask the symptoms, but real relief consists of making changes to your lifestyle to keep the joints and muscles in your back healthy for relief of your sciatica pain.

Many people can find relief with exercise, however, it is important to see your health professional who will be able to rule out any serious problems that might be causing your sciatica pain. Exercises that will offer some relief from sciatica symptoms should stretch the muscles that cause the pain because they are inflexible and tight. Pain is caused when certain muscles, through which the sciatic nerve courses, are too tight and constrict the sciatic nerve. Additionally, your health care professional will be able to give you suggestions on an exercise routine that is best suited to address the underlying cause of your pain, such as a herniated lumbar disc or spinal stenosis.

In order to sustain your healthy back, you should not sit or stand for too long. Take intermittent breaks, usually after thirty to sixty minutes, from prolonged sitting. If required to stand for a long time, you can frequently shift weight from one foot to the next and, if possible, rest one foot on a curb or small step.

You should try to reduce everyday stress on your lower back, in addition to a regular exercise routine, in order to avoid sciatica flare-ups. Be sure to maintain proper ergonomics while lifting and maintain good posture. The use of proper posture pertains to standing, sitting, and lying down.

Be sure that your low back is supported while sitting, in order to maintain good posture. You don't want to sit too straight or lean too far back when sitting, and being able to lightly rest your lower back against the chair will help when sitting. Getting a footrest is another way to help improve sitting posture by bringing your knees to the same level or slightly higher than your hips. Also be sure to sit up straight so your head is not leaning too far forward in an attempt to see what you're working on. Be sure to place reading material at the proper height so that you can easily read it without bending too far. The height of your computer screen should also not be too high or too low, so you can look straight at it.

Sleeping on your stomach should be avoided, if possible, as this position puts unnecessary stress on the ligaments, muscles and discs of your lower back. Putting a pillow under your hips will help reduce stress on your back, if you can't sleep without lying on your stomach.

When sciatica problems are a part of your life, it is very important to find long-term relief for your pain by taking the proper steps to care for your lower back every day.

Chronic Sciatica

spinal stenosis

Chronic sciatica is a torturous and difficult to resolve back and leg pain syndrome. Sciatica is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of an underlying causative condition. True sciatica is sourced by a spinal abnormality, while pseudo-sciatica can come about due to muscular, circulatory or even psychosomatic reasons. No matter what the actual cause of sciatica, chronic symptoms can make life very difficult for affected patients.

Chronic means long lasting or recurring. For sciatica sufferers, there are a great number of different chronic patterns associated with their symptomatic expressions. Some patients endure the same pain everyday, while others endure a variable symptomology which can change hour to hour in some cases. Many patients endure constant back and leg pain, while others suffer only at certain times of the day, or with certain activities or positions. Some patients have a little or a lot of pain everyday, while others will have good days without pain and bad days with hellish symptoms. Finally, recurrent bouts of acute sciatica or "flare ups", as they are often called, can be one of the most agonizing clinical profiles possible and can create a tremendous amount of anxiety in every sciatic nerve pain sufferer.

Statistically, the most common diagnostic conclusion used to explain sciatic nerve symptoms is a herniated lumbar disc, typically at L4/L5 or L5/S1. These are the levels which suffer the greatest and most universal degeneration in the human spine, so it is easy to see why herniations at these locations are common diagnostic scapegoats. However, in order for these bulging discs to enact symptoms, they would have to affect surrounding neurological tissues through the processes of spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis. This is because the spinal discs themselves do not feel pain, as they do not have blood supply or nerve endings.

Foraminal stenosis is the usual diagnosis for herniated discs theorized to cause sciatica. These "pinched nerves", as they are often called, go on to form the sciatic nerve, so it is thought that compression of one or more nerve roots can enact sciatica pain. Clinical research has decisively shown that actual compressed nerves stop signaling altogether, causing a condition of true objective numbness and weakness in the regions served by the affected nerve structure. There would be no lasting pain or tingling, as well as no subjective numbness and weakness common to the vast majority of sciatica complaints. This makes the pinched nerve theory lose tremendous credibility as a true source of sciatica. Additionally, in order for a herniated disc to actually have any effect on the nerve at all, the bulge would have to virtually completely close off the neuroforaminal space, which is a very rare scenario indeed.

Spinal stenosis as a source of sciatica is more complicated, since stenosis anywhere in the spine can create a variable pain pattern, along with the typical neurological symptoms in the legs. Stenosis in the lower back can create sciatica, as can stenosis far up in the cervical spine. This makes diagnosis very difficult, when the causation is indeed structural. Add to this fact that most stenosis is not symptomatic in anyway, even though anatomical alteration is evident upon diagnostic imaging, and you really have a hard time differentiating between potentially troublesome stenosis and innocent spinal canal narrowing. Many herniated discs, for example, may impinge on the thecal sac surrounding the spinal cord, but do not have any effect on the cord itself. Even herniations which do press into the cord typically may displace the cord (creating a frightening image on MRI films), but usually do not cause any pain or sciatica. However, in some cases, spinal stenosis can be problematic and truly enact lower back, buttocks and leg pain syndromes.

Despite all this doom and gloom, there is some good news about sciatica. Structural causations which are accurately diagnosed and truly do create symptoms most commonly respond very well to indicated medical and complementary treatment. This means that most true anatomical issues responsible for enacting pain can be completely cured. For patients with long term symptoms which have proven themselves to be unresponsive to various forms of treatment, the answer is simple. In these cases, the condition is virtually always misdiagnosed, leading the sufferer on a wild goose chase using treatments which are all targeting mistakenly identified causes of pain. No wonder the treatments fail...

Flat Back Syndrome: A Common Characteristic Of Back Pain

spinal stenosis

A healthy back has natural curvature. A straight lumbar spine is often an indicator of pain in the L4, L5, S1 region. People lacking lumbar curvature will commonly indicate pain on or near their sacrum. A straight spine involves numerous muscles in the lower body being overly tight. Gaining curvature of the lumbar spine requires lengthening numerous lower body muscles. The psoas muscle, in particular, must be lengthened to bring curvature to the lumbar spine. Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) restores curvature to the lower spine. And more importantly, AIS helps people recover from chronic back pain.

When a person is tight in the lower body, the lumbar region loses its natural curve. The psoas, gluteal (buttocks), and hamstring muscles are almost always involved in a lumbar region that lacks curvature. Many more muscles are involved, but these three are almost always a contributing factor. All three muscles can become tight from numerous hours of sitting. Unfortunately, modern society requires many of us to sit eight to ten hours a day. And this is a major reason why one third of the world population suffers from back pain.

A tightened psoas muscle cannot be massaged to normal length because there are too many points of attachment to be released manually. Chiropractic adjustments would be more effective after AIS treatment because chiropractic does not address psoas tightness in their procedure. PNF stretching uses the wrong position for psoas stretching, which can cause herniation to the discs around the L4, L5, S1 region. Active Isolated Stretching is most effective at opening the psoas muscle, which is essential for restoring the natural lumbar curve. Some therapists incorrectly advise laying and rolling on a foam roller to gain curvature in the lumbar region. This exercise does not bring long term curvature to the lumbar spine because the psoas does not get stretched while using the foam roller.

Muscles attach to bones. Tightness in the psoas, hamstrings, and gluteal muscles will put excessive strain on the pelvis and spine. This tightness will cause the lower spine to lose its natural curve and the discs around L4, L5, S1 will often become strained to the point in which they herniate, bulge, or degenerate. This abnormality in the low back discs can also be restored with AIS therapy because the cause is excessive muscle inflexibility. A herniated, slipped, or bulging disc can return inside the vertebral column when muscular pressure is discontinued. Similarly, a degenerative/herniated disc will stop pinching on the spinal nerves because removing muscular tension will remove nerve pain.

Weakness in the lower body muscles also contributes to a straight spine. Complete rehabilitation from flat back syndrome entails doing lower body strengthening exercises to maintain the natural curve in the low back. After the psoas muscle is lengthened, it needs to be strengthened. Abdominal exercises are an important part of rehabilitation, but it is important to do correct abdominal exercises. Many people perform full sit-ups as abdominal exercises. Full sit-ups are when the hands are interlocked behind the head and the person performs a full ab crunch to the point in which their elbows touch their knees. This is the wrong way to practice abdominal exercises! Full sit-ups will tighten the psoas muscle, which will decrease curvature of the lumbar spine.

A flat back is more of an indicator than a cause of lumbar back pain. Active Isolated Stretching can restore curvature to a straightened spine because one of the primary causes is inflexibility. Conventional stretching, PNF stretching, yoga, Thai massage, or any other type of stretching has failed to grasp key mistakes they are making in their procedure; which is why AIS therapy can restore lumbar curvature while other forms of stretching cannot. One-to-one AIS treatment is the kick start to gaining curvature in the lumbar region. At-home exercises are what maintain correct posture.

Chiropractic Care For Sciatica - What Do They Do?

spinal stenosis

Chiropractors are a conservative, noninvasive and drugless form of medical care. In fact, it is generally accepted that this kind of care should be done before any invasive procedure is pursued such as back surgery. Chiropractic care has been well documented in being successful for conservative medical attention. Sciatic pain is right up a Chiropractor's alley. Chiropractors are legendary in treating patients with back problems. They routinely diagnose (test) and successfully treat back and leg pain. Whether you have a pinched nerve, muscle, ligament or tendon ailments that may be causing your pain a chiropractor will take the proper time to examine your back and leg pain to determine the exact source of your sciatic pain. Essentially, chiropractors help your body heal itself.

It is important to understand that sciatica is not an actual diagnosis but rather an underlying symptom of your problem. A chiropractor will start by assessing the known five culprits (guilty parties) of the symptom sciatica. These five culprits include:

• Herniated disc problems
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing)
• Facet joint problems
• Nerve entrapment
• Presence of tumors, infection or metabolic complications

It is necessary for a chiropractor to determine if your pain is caused by a herniated or ruptured disc. This condition in medical terms is known as sciatic neuritis. Neuritis means the nervous system is involved (neuro = nerves and itis = inflammation). The diagnosis (evaluation) and treatment program will be for "disc injury".

If you don't have neuritis, then the chiropractor will check for spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is another common cause of sciatica that is a narrowing of the spinal column that can generate inflammation of nerves. If this is your diagnosis for your leg pain, then you will be treated specifically for that.

So far, you don't have a herniated disc or spinal stenosis so the chiropractor will look for lumbar facet symptoms. Your facet joints come in pairs at the back of each spinal vertebrae. These facet joints link the vertebrae above to the one below to form a functioning joint that allows for movement of the spine. This is not so different from knee joints only you have many of them up and down your spine between each of your spinal bones. This allows you to slightly bend your spinal column up, down and sideways as well as twist. Think of all the movements your spinal column can do when you work a hula-hoop. It's amazing. So facet joint syndrome is referring to pain that occurs in your facet joints. These joints are filled with synovial fluid just like your spinal discs. Your discs act as cushions between your vertebra and the fact joint allows your vertebra to move in a number of different directions. If this is your problem, the chiropractor has a therapy that works on this particular problem.

Don't have any of the above? Now the chiropractor will look for nerve entrapment syndrome. What this is about is mechanical imbalances in the spine and hip with damaged discs (but not herniated) with facet joint movement restrictions. This can lead to muscular tightness that may lead to nerve entrapment of the sciatic nerve. The muscles involved here are the piriformis muscles. Chiropractors will perform muscles therapies on these muscles to loosen them and restore balance to your spinal joints and release pressure on the sciatic nerve.

If none of the above is diagnosed, your chiropractor will refer you to another doctor to determine if you have any tumors, infections or metabolic problems.

Therefore, the goal of a chiropractor is to diagnose (find out what you have) and treat you for that specific problem in a conservative way (noninvasively, no surgery). This involves active hands on care to return full motion to the spine by treating disc, joint and muscle problems. Spinal manipulations may include thrusting techniques, non-thrusting techniques, instrument-assisted therapies such as the Graston technique for muscle problems, trigger point therapy, stretching and resistance techniques, electrical stimulation, ultrasound as well as alignments. The chiropractor's goal is to return normal back function. The chiropractor's job doesn't end there. Overly, the chiropractor knows that prevention of back problems is important and will instruct you on how to keep your back healthy.

Long Distance Driving and Back Pain

spinal stenosis

If you've experienced driving on a long road trip, or if you have a job that requires a lot of driving, you've probably experienced back pain at one point or another. Human physiology simply isn't optimally designed for hundred-mile drives. Sitting in one position for hours on end is unnatural task for your bodies that can be very taxing on your back. If you drive long distances regularly, you belong to a group that is at a high risk of developing back pain. If you already suffer from back pain, you must know that those hours spent at the wheel don't help your condition at all.

There are a few things you can do in order to help prevent back pain caused by long distance driving. The tips below will help make the miles go by a little faster, and make your job a little easier.

• Make sure to take breaks on long drives. Every hundred miles or so, pull over and take a break. Get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs. Be sure to target your back and midsection with minor stretching exercises. This is also a great way to wake yourself up if you're feeling drowsy or sleepy.


• Observe proper driving posture. If you slouch or hunch your back while driving, you're just asking for it. Sit up straight and make sure that your back is properly supported. If your wallet is a bit thick, don't keep it in your back pocket while driving.


• Use a proper sized and positioned car seat. Your back should rest on the back of your chair comfortably. Your seat should be positioned in such a manner that the pedals are easily accessible, without you having to extend your legs too much to press them. Your headrest should be comfortable, and just the right position and protrusion for you to be able to comfortably rest your head.


• Avoid slippery seat covers. A vinyl or leather seat cover can cause you to constantly slide to and fro, which can ruin your posture and throw your back out of whack. Opt for a cloth seat cover, which helps keep you put while the vehicle is in motion.


• Be sure your steering wheel is set at a proper height. Most modern cars allow the user to adjust the height of the steering wheel. It is important to set the wheel at a height that you are comfortable with.


• Don't lock your seat in a 90 degree angle. This can put undue pressure on your spine and lower back. Try a tilting your seat back every so slightly.


• If you have an existing lower back condition, go for a car with an automatic transmission. Shifting gears is an activity that you repeat dozens of times a day that can harm your already injured back, leading to further injury. If you have the option, ditch the stick.

In addition to things that you can do about your driving, lifestyle changes can also help address back pain. Try to be more active; favor exercise movements that target your core areas, like your abdominal muscles and lower back. Eat foods that have anti-inflammatory qualities, and try to get at least six hours of sleep a day.

All of these things, combined with good driving technique and posture, will help back pain sufferers reduce their pain significantly. Back pain can be very disabling, and can really get in the way of your work and day to day activities. With the right lifestyle choices and driving methods, you can beat back pain, and stop it from taking control of your life.

Cure Sciatica Naturally - Sciatic Nerve Pain and Common Causes

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The sciatic nerve is a nerve which runs from the lower back region and down through the back of your legs. While it is called "the sciatic nerve," it is actually a complex system of nerves which are about 1 inch each in total length. When sciatica pain is experienced, it is generally the result of one of these nerves being pinched as it leaves the spinal region.

There are many things which can cause your sciatic pain, but the most common causes are:

• Too much pressure being applied to the sciatic nerve - Excess pressure can cause sciatic pain in a relatively short period of time. The sources of this pressure could be muscle strain, bad posture, being overweight, becoming pregnant, or sleeping on a soft mattress. If you may have previous injuries to your back which resulted in a bad or slipped disc, this can also cause severe sciatic pain. More serious conditions, such as a herniated disc or a tumor surrounding a disc on the back can cause horrible sciatic pain as it grows.


• Osteoarthritis - Osteoarthritis, commonly called degenerative arthritis is known to trigger sciatic pain. This can cause sciatic pain because any deformity in the leg bone structure can cause excess pressure to affect the sciatic nerve. This is more common in older individuals as the bones become more brittle. They can also have what is known as spinal stenosis, which is caused by the sciatic nerve being pressured due to the constraining of space around the spinal areas.

The most common symptom of sciatica is a sharp, shooting pain which can travel down the legs and even to the feet. Sciatica pain is never consistent, and it can range minor inconvenient pain to severe excruciating pain. This type of pain only affects one side of the body typically, and if not treated fast enough, can gradually lead to severe neurological disorders.

Sciatic pain can be cured by treating the various causes of the pain. Doctors can provide pain medications or muscle relaxers to alleviate pain. Some patients find good results in exercise so long as it is not overdone. There are various therapies that sciatica patients can enroll themselves in to fortify the muscles in the lower back and abdominal regions which will cause the symptoms of sciatica to eventually go away.

What Are the Indications for Neck Surgery?

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When a patient has neck surgery, the results are typically much better than for surgery of the low back. The reason is that the indications for surgery in the cervical spine are much better defined than they are for the lumbar region.

Allow me to explain why. A few decades ago, studies were done looking at neck surgery for patients who had neck pain that was not radiating into the arms. This is called axial neck pain and was due to arthritis in the joints of the neck. The results showed that outcomes for neck surgery for this reason were fairly poor. Patients did not get substantially better, and there was a high incidence of patients needing further surgery within a few years. So surgeons stopped doing it.

Due to this, the indications for neck surgery have been fairly well defined. Here is a list of 4 indications for neck surgery.

1. Fracture with instability. Patients who are involved in a car accident or a trauma may end up with broken bones in their neck and an unstable spinal column. These individuals need surgery in their cervical spine to prevent a spinal cord injury from occurring. One interesting reason for neck surgery is if the patient has no evidence of fracture on the imaging studies, but significant instability on the dynamic x-rays.

2. Herniated disc with radiculopathy- just because a patient has a herniated disc in their cervical spine with radiculopathy does not mean surgery is absolutely necessary. The term radiculopathy refers to when the herniated disc is pushing on a nerve root and causing pain down the arm in the sensory distribution of that nerve. If a person has muscle weakness from the nerves being pinched, that is more of an indication for surgery than simply having pain.

If a person tries conservative treatments for over 6 weeks and the pain is not getting better, surgery can be considered. The results of surgery for a pinched nerve in the neck are very good at over 90 to 95% success rates. If a person does have motor weakness as mentioned, it should not be watched for a very long time as if it doesn't get better even if they technically perfect surgery is performed the motor weakness may not improve if there was too long of a wait before doing the surgery.

3. Spinal stenosis- this is a problem that comes on from arthritis causing bony overgrowth along with soft tissue overgrowth. These can result in multiple cervical nerve roots being pinched. Because of this, a person may have significant pain going down one or both arms. Surgery for spinal stenosis is a quality of life decision, and is not mandatory. If the pain is treated nonoperatively and it simply is not getting better, as an elective decision then a decompression to free up the pinched nerves may help substantially.

4. Spinal cord compression- a person's cervical spinal cord may be compressed for a number of reasons. There may be a tumor in the area that's pushing on spinal cord. Also, the person may have a disorder called cervical myelopathy which may be a result of a large disc herniation that is calcified and is pushing on the spinal cord itself. The spinal cord can react against this and start to shrink. It is a good idea when the shrinking begins to happen to go ahead and have a decompression surgery as waiting too long may not reverse the resulting problem.

Neck surgery for these conditions often has a great outcome. The fact that neck surgery for pain that stays in the neck due to arthritis has been out of favor for a long time once again is the reason that the surgeries tend to do much better.

Arthritis Treatment: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - An Increasingly Common Arthritis Problem

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Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is one of the most common maladies seen by rheumatologists. It is a condition that affects the low back. To understand what happens with this condition, it's important to briefly review the anatomy.

The lumbar spine consists of bones, called vertebrae, which are stacked one upon the other and separated by rubbery discs in the front and by joints (called "facet joints") in back. Down the center of this stack is a tunnel where the spinal cord is housed. The column of bones is supported inside and outside the tunnel by a series of ligaments.

LSS occurs when the spinal cord is compressed. There are three abnormalities that are responsible. First, the discs begin to bulge as a result of aging. They dry out and flatten. This leads to disc protrusion into the tunnel where the spinal cord passes. Second, the facet joints develop arthritis and the spurs from these facet joints protrude into the tunnel also. Finally, one of the ligaments that supports the spinal column inside the tunnel begins to hypertrophy and this also protrudes into the tunnel.

The end result is pressure on the spinal cord.

The history and physical examination are usually enough to suspect the diagnosis. Typically a patient older than 70 years will present with low back pain that is aggravated by walking or standing and relieved by sitting or by bending forward.

The pain radiates from the back into the buttocks and sometimes the thighs. Patients will walk with a wide-based gait- legs wider than usual because they feel unstable. This is because the normal signals that are sent from the brain to the feet are not being received so the patient's sense of where they are in space is abnormal.

Severe spinal stenosis is accompanied by bladder problems such as urinary frequency- going to the bathroom much more often than normal.

LSS is often confused for vascular claudication. This is a disorder where the blood flow to the legs is compromised because of narrowing of the arteries. The symptoms are similar. Also, narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck and hip disorders can also mimic lumbar spinal stenosis.

The diagnosis can be confirmed by either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or by CT scan of the low back.
The natural history of the disorder is one of progression. Conservative measures such as epidural steroid injections and physical therapy can be useful but most patients will require surgery which is often very effective.

Slipped Disc Or Slipped Bone?

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On any given day in the United States, up to 20% of the population will be suffering with some sort of back or neck complaint. Most of the time, back or neck pain is a short-lived problem involving the muscles and tendons of the spine. Muscular strains and sprains will cause pain and spasms which can last up to 3 weeks. Although uncomfortable, the pain from strains or sprains usually can be ameliorated with the appropriate short-term lifestyle modifications, gentle rehabilitative exercise and the use of anti-inflammatory medication. If the back or neck pain persists more than 3 weeks or if the pain transitions to shooting down the leg or arm, then a consultation with a physician is necessary.

The most concerning pain is that which that radiates down the arm or leg. This is commonly called "sciatica" in the leg, but in medical jargon, the more appropriate term is "radiculopathy", used to describe the pain that follows a particular nerve pattern in the arm or leg. This arm or leg pain generates from pressure on the nerves in the back or neck, which in turn, causes the extremity pain. Most patients don't relate their arm or leg pain has having its possible origin in the spine, as a lot of these patients will not have any back pain. This can be explained layman's terms as being similar to an electrical wire having a short circuit. In the lower back, the nerves that exit the spine transport the information of pain, temperature and touch from the legs to the brain, as well as transmit the information for muscular function from the brain to the legs. When there is pressure on a nerve in the lower back, the brain identifies the information as coming from the nerve that usually supplies information from the leg. The brain then interprets the information as leg pain rather than the real culprit, the disc problem in the back.

Pressure on the nerves in the back or neck can come from several causes. Nerves travel from the spine and into the arms or legs through small openings in the bones of the spine. These small holes have enough room for the nerve and a few blood vessels to pass, but not room for much else. When a piece of disc material protrudes from its normal position, it can fill the space reserved for the nerve root. We can call this a slipped disc, as a piece of disc material may "slip" out of its normal position. This extra material then puts pressure on the nerve root, and in turn, causes the nerve to become aggravated. Disc ruptures are very common in the neck and lower back, with a similar means of irritating nerves and causing pain due to the mechanical pressure.

A more dramatic way of putting pressure on the nerve root is by a slip in the bone. The technical term is "spondylolisthesis". When bones slip on each other, this also will compress the opening where the nerve root exits. The bones need to be aligned properly in the spine for the nerve to have the proper room to function. With slipping of the bones, the nerve roots can be pulled or pushed by the bones that surround them. The bones then cause pressure and irritation of the nerves, which causes the leg or arm pain.

Relief of the nerve irritation is directed toward the cause of the irritation and can start with a series of medications, physical therapy exercises or potential surgery when the pain is not otherwise improved. The goal of each of these methods is to relieve the pain and return you back to your normal activities. The treatments should be directed by a spinal specialist to ensure that the optimal method for your condition is being provided. Fellowship-trained spinal surgeons have the knowledge and training of the full spectrum of spinal conditions which allow them to treat the spinal conditions from the simple nerve root irritation to the most complex of spinal conditions requiring extensive surgical reconstruction of the bone and nerves.

Sciatica and the Sacroiliac Joint

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The sacroiliac joint is the location where your pelvic bones articulate with the sacrum. If you look at someone from behind you will notice a divot or dimple on either side of the spine in the low back above the buttocks. This point is called the PSIS or Posterior Superior Iliac Spine. The sacroiliac joint lies deep to this landmark. When things are functioning properly the two pelvic bones rotate very slightly at this joint when we walk.

If you have injured this joint the deep pelvic muscles that surround the joint will react by increasing their tone and will in turn restrict the rotational movement that would normally be there. In the short term this is probably a good coping mechanism for the body to deal with an acute joint injury as it essentially eliminates any stress to the articular surfaces. However in the longer term, when things don't return to normal biomechanic movement patterns, pain and abnormal movement can persist.

The pain that can arise from this joint is often mistaken for sciatica.

True sciatica is caused by pressure or irritation to the sciatic nerve. The nerve is made up nerve roots that exit the spinal canal in the lumbar spine. Pressure or irritation to this nerve can cause pain down the back of your leg.

There are a few ways to distinguish between true sciatica and sacroiliac pain.True sciatica can be felt all the way down the back of the leg past the knee and sometimes includes pain to the toes. Sacroiliac leg pain typically doesn't travel past the knee. Another distinguishing feature is pain that predominates on one side over the region of the PSIS. This one sided low back pain almost always presents on the same side as the "pseudo sciatica".

There is an easy test that one can try at home to distinguish sacroiliac pain from sciatica. Get a partner to stand behind you with their hands on your hips. Bend forward and then straighten back to the original upright position. If there is mechanical pain in the low back, this movement usually provokes it. Now to distinguish between sciatica and sacroiliac joint pain do the same movement but get your partner to stabilize your hips by blocking movement at the hip. As you bend forward your hip should be pulled tight to your partners leg or hip to prevent forward rotation of your hip. If done correctly this maneuver will either provoke your back pain or make it better depending on which problem is the cause. If the forward bending movement is much less painful when the hip movement is blocked it suggests that the sacroiliac joint is the source. If it greatly increases the pain, it points to lumbar disc issues that can cause sciatica.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is one of the most common disorders seen in a chiropractic office. Chiropractors are well trained to recognize this condition and should be considered when considering treatment options.

Dull Low Back Pain - Get Rid of It

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Lower back pain is miserable whether it is dull low back pain or sharper muscle spasms in the back. What can be done to get rid of it and can you do it at home yourself?

Causes and Types

There are a few common reasons why we experience lower back pain:

• spinal stenosis - this pain is caused by the spinal cord becoming narrower. For the most part, this normally occurs with age.


• injury or overuse of the muscles


• spinal deformities - such as scoliosis


• spondylolisthesis - this is a type of defect where the vertebrae slides over one another.


• fractures - normally occurs when a lot of force has been put on the vertebrae. This could happen when someone has taken a hard fall directly on the buttocks or a hit on the head. It could also occur during an automobile accident.


• osteoporosis - if this condition is present, even the slightest amount of force could cause fractures, slipped disc, or other back problems.

In rare cases, a bacterial infection could be causing back pain. You will need to visit your family physician or chiropractor to rule out any harmful bacterial infections or tumors.

Sometimes, lower back pain may stem from failed back surgery or other hospital related incidents.

5 Tricks to Lose the Pain

These tricks will help get rid of back pain. Test them and try them all to see what helps you get rid of your back pain.

arm rotations - slowly stretch out both arms and begin to rotate them. Do this about 20 to 25 times, then reverse directions and do them again. After you have finished both sets, put both arms over your head and clasp your hands together. Take several deep breaths and lower arms.

toe touches - start with your back flat against the wall. Slowly bend at the waist and reach for your toes. You don't actually have to touch them. Just bend as far as possibly to stretch the back muscles.

superman - lie down on your stomach on the floor. Stretch your arms over your head like you are flying through the air like a super hero. Raise your arms and upper body off the floor as high as you can. Hold for 1 to 2 seconds and release. Do this ten times. This is a very hard exercise that will strengthen your back muscles. If you need to do less reps at first, it's fine. Work up to it.

kneeling dog - get down on the floor on your hands and knees like you are a dog or a baby crawling. Slowly kick out one leg at a time like you are kicking someone behind you, then lower. Repeat on the other side. Do each leg 10 to 15 times rotating legs.

butterflies - sit on the floor and pull your legs up until the bottoms of your feet are touching. Hold your ankles and bend forward. You are trying to get your nose as close to your feet as possible without straining. Do this slowly without jerking. Release for 3 seconds and repeat.

Other Ways to Lose the Pain

There are other natural ways to get rid of back pain without the use of doctors or chiropractors. Some people turn to herbal remedies while others look to meditation or acupuncture.

Ergonomic Mattresses - Can A Mattress Improve Our Health?

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We often take for granted that 6-8 hours we get to lie down and sleep each day. You may go to sleep with aching muscles and an aching back, not knowing that your bed can either improve your condition, or worsen it.

Nowadays, where virtually everything has become ergonomic, we can find a mattress for our beds that helps our body maintain its proper posture and helps the circulation of our blood as well. First off, here are the characteristics of what your ergonomic mattress should be.

1. It should neither be too firm nor too soft We have heard that in choosing beds, the firmer the better. Not necessarily. Choosing a mattress that is either too firm or too soft would not allow you to relax and rest properly. A mattress that is too firm will not support your entire body, only your heavier parts because they are the ones that will push toward the mattress.

On the other hand, a mattress that is too soft will not do you any good either. A soft bed can look enticing and feel comfortable at first - that is, until you really sleep on it. It easily sags and makes it hard for you to move. It does not help with your posture either because it does not make your spine maintain its proper alignment.

You will know if your ergonomic mattress helps your posture when you do not have to find a comfortable position while you sleep. Also, a correct mattress will not leave you feeling tired and achy the next day.

2. It should distribute your weight evenly Your ergonomic mattress should be able to distribute your pressure points evenly across your body and across the bed. This decreases discomfort which results to less body movement and better, sound sleep. This will also help improve your blood circulation.

You should choose a mattress, just like what is stated above, that is neither too soft nor too firm. The ideal mattress should conform to your natural body shape and will not put too much pressure especially on your heavier parts. In addition, if you choose a mattress that helps distribute your weight evenly, you will not feel tired the next morning. Contrary to that, there have been many testimonies of people saying that using these ergonomic beds leave them feeling refreshed and energized in the morning.

3. There should be support on your back The spine is perhaps the most important part of the body that ergonomic furniture aims to take care of. The ergonomic mattress you should choose is one that will conform to the natural alignment of your spine.

There should not be any stress, tension or pressure in the spinal area of the body to relieve back pains and even to help those with scoliosis. Before you sleep, lie down on your bed and pay attention to how your back is doing. You should neither be stick- straight nor slouching.

4. Transfer of movement should be minimal This is especially true for couples who sleep together every night. Sometimes, you try to get a good night sleep on your own but find it difficult to do so because your partner keeps on tossing and turning. While you cannot force your partner to lessen his/her movements, you can choose however to ignore the disturbance.

Many mattresses in the market are now enhanced with a feature that makes it possible to minimize the transfer of movement from one sleeping person to another. This means that no matter how often your partner tosses and turns, you would not feel it on your side because the little or no movement is transferred.

5. If you have the budget for it, go for an adjustable bed An ergonomic mattress is important for your back problems but if you have some spare cash lying around, why not go one step further and buy an adjustable bed? For people with intense back pain, lying on a flat surface is not always the most comfortable position in the world. This is where the adjustment part comes in.

Adjustable beds allow the users (or sleepers for that matter) to adjust the bed's angle of inclination. Many models allow the head part of the bed to be adjusted while some recently-emerged models now have the feature to change the angle of the foot part as well. A slight change in the head's inclination can help reduce pain from the legs and the back and can even alleviate pain on patients suffering from spinal stenosis and herniated discs.

Adjustable beds are also the answer to people, especially those who are obese, who have difficulties in the morning standing up from their lying position.

Tell Me The Reasons For Back Pain

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Every person experiences back pain at least once in his or her life. There are plenty of reasons for back pain to occur. Here are some reasons for back pain:

You might have a herniated disk. A herniated disk occurs when the disks in your spine get pressed on a nerve.

You might have sciatica. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is encroached upon by a herniated disk. Sciatica is characterized by a sharp pain that shoots through the back of the leg and the buttocks.

You might have spinal stenosis. Spinal Stenosis is a condition in which the space around the nerve roots and the spinal cord gets smaller because of bone over growth or arthritis. Spinal Stenosis could pinch a nerve.

You might have Spondylosis: Spondylosis is a kind of arthritis and is caused by the degeneration of the spine that happens as people age.

Your muscles might be imbalanced. A lot of peoples' back pain is caused by muscles that are out of balance. Muscles that aren't balanced are considerably weaker than balanced muscles and can't keep joints stabilized in their sockets. This means that the joint can get misaligned or move incorrectly, which can cause pain to radiate throughout the back.

Your posture might be poor. Most back pain is caused by simple poor posture. Slumping or crouching over can cause extra strain to be put on your spine as it is forced to be smashed into positions that aren't natural. Poor posture can cause the body to move incorrectly. Pain caused by poor posture is usually located in the lower back.

You might not be getting enough exercise. Your back muscles actually need to be stretched and worked regularly or else they will weaken and not be able to support your spine as easily. When your muscles are weak they can become sore, and when your spine is not supported the disks can move and cause damage to the nerves.

Tips to Alleviate Back Pain:

Rest, but only for a couple of days. The back needs movement just as much as it needs rest to stay healthy, so even while you are resting make sure to move around at least once an hour.

Anti-inflammatory Over the Counter Medications: Advil or Tylenol or Aleve will work just fine. Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce any swelling in the muscles of the back which will relieve any pain you might be feeling. Unfortunately these medications wear off so if pain persists for more than a couple of days, make sure to call your doctor.

Heat: Using a heating pad at the site of the most intense pain can help to relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the area which should alleviate the back pain you might be feeling.

There are many reasons for back pain and only a visit to your doctor can determine the exact reason for your back pain. Your doctor can perform an examination and determine the best course of action to treat the reasons for back pain.

Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - Do I Have It?

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Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a condition which presents with pain down the legs with or without pain in the back/buttock region. Other symptoms which may be felt as well as pain are numbness, weakness and heaviness. These signs & symptoms are aggravated by walking (with walking down hill being worse than up) and leaning backwards. Whereas positions such as leaning forward or sitting slumped resting your forearms upon your thighs tend to ease the pain.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is caused as a result of the spinal canal, through which the spinal nerves/spinal cord passes, becoming narrowed. This narrowing is usually, although not exclusively, a result of degenerative changes. The narrowing of the spinal canal places pressure upon the spinal nerves as they pass through it and it is this which results in the signs and symptoms described above.

Further information on the causes and treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis can be found in my article "Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - What is It?"

During this article, I shall explain why Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is sometimes confused with two other medical conditions: i) Sciatica and ii) Intermittent Claudication. This will help give you an indication as to whether you may be suffering with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

i) Sciatica: Sciatica is only a descriptive term and not a diagnostic one. It is used to describe pain which is felt down the back of the leg(s) as a result of irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatica I am alluding to here is musculo-skeletal sciatica, whereby pressure is being placed upon the sciatic nerve as a result of muscle imbalance, facet joint irritation or a disc herniation/bulge.

The main difference between this 'sciatic' pain and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis would be the ability to 'turn the pain off' even when it is incredibly severe.

With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, it is quite easy to turn the pain on (lean backwards or walk down hill) as well as turn the pain off (lean forward or sit down in a slumped position/rest forward on your thighs). With sciatica of a musculo-skeletal origin, it is unlikely you would be able to turn the pain off quite so easily. In addition to this, if it was a disc bulge which was causing your sciatica, it is almost certain that leaning forward or sitting in a slumped position would aggravate your pain significantly.

ii) Intermittent Claudication: This condition is where the arteries of the legs become narrowed, causing the muscles to be deprived of the oxygen they require to carry out any degree of exercise. Therefore, when resting there may be no pain felt, but as soon as any degree of exercise is demanded of the leg muscles, pain is felt. This pain is typically felt in the calf muscles. Other symptoms which may be felt in addition to pain are tightness, heaviness, cramping, or weakness in your legs.

Whatever signs & symptoms are felt with Intermittent Claudication, they are similar to Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in that walking is a classic aggravating factor. However with Intermittent Claudication, walking up hill is usually worse than downhill. When walking uphill, there is more demand placed upon the muscles of the leg to 'power' forward (as opposed to going downhill). This increased demand on the muscles requires more oxygen and if this increased demand cannot be met, pain will be felt quicker.

With regards to walking downhill, there tends to be a tendency is to lean backwards a little and leaning backwards is a classic aggravator of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, therefore this would aggravate your signs and symptoms quicker.

One similarity between Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Intermittent Claudication is that both pains can be turned off quite quickly. However, the difference is that the former is turned off relative to the position of your spine i.e. leaning forwards, whereas the latter is turned off by simply having a rest, no matter what position your lower back is in.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Provides Relief to Sciatica Patients

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Sciatica - Pain That Never Seems To Go Away

Sciatica is one of the more common causes of back pain. Sciatica presents as a set of symptoms, including intense pain, which follows the sciatic nerve, usually starting in the lower back. The pain often travels into the buttock, back or side of the thigh and down into the calf. Pain can even be reported in the feet and toes. The human body houses two sciatic nerves. Each sciatic nerve is made of branches of lumbar nerves which form one sciatic nerve on either side of the body that travels down each leg. Pain is typically felt only on one side. Aside from acute pain, sufferers often report the following symptoms:

- numbness
- burning
- tingling
- muscle weakness
- difficulty moving
- difficulty controlling the leg
- difficulty sitting or stand for any length of time without experiencing pain

The Source of Sciatic Pain

Sciatica is a diagnostic term that medically describes the likely origin of the pain. But it doesn't explain what causes the irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is of much greater importance. Pain is caused when there is irritation to the lumbar nerves that leave the spine, as they begin to form the branches of the sciatic nerve. The "irritation" is typically a bulging or herniated disc pressing on the nerve.

If a doctor says, "You have sciatica," this offers little more information than "you have pain that likely is focused down the sciatic nerve of the lower limb." It is far more important to understand what is irritating the nerve and causing the pain the patient is feeling. Only when you understand the true cause of the pain can the most effective treatment of care be determined.

A a patient who visits their medical doctor and learns that they have sciatica is often prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, pain relievers, or muscle relaxants. Unfortunately, as too often happens, the pain persists.

Drug Free Relief For Sciatica

When a patient presents with "sciatica," the doctor should conduct a thorough examination to discover the root cause of the pressure or irritation on the sciatic nerve. If the symptoms are caused by a herniated or bulging disc, or spinal stenosis, as is often the case, the patient may be a candidate for Spinal Decompression therapy.

If a patient's sciatic symptoms are indeed found to be caused by a herniated or bulging disc, spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis or facet syndrome, there is a good likelihood that the patient may be a candidate for non-surgical Spinal Decompression. Spinal Decompression is a highly effective, non-invasive, drug-free treatment that treats damaged spinal discs directly. It takes pressure off of damaged spinal discs, enabling herniations and bulges to retract. Inflammation and pressure on compromised nerves goes away.

Spinal Decompression is a leading medical technology that offers non-surgical, non-invasive, drug-free relief from chronic back pain or neck pain and is not a temporary intervention.

Spinal Decompression Therapy for Fixing Back and Neck Pain

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Many people have heard of different forms of treatment for back pain. From Swedish massage to deep tissue massage to having chiropractic adjustments done, it seems that everyone is suffering from back and neck pain and needs the latest treatment. Spinal decompression therapy, however, is a lesser known option for people suffering from back and neck discomfort. It was approved by the federal government in 1996 and has been proven to be safe and efficient for the vast majority of people who undergo the treatment.

Spinal decompression can effectively address a number of ailments, including arm and leg pain. Herniated or bulging discs in the spine and sciatica can also be treated, along with degenerative diseases like spinal stenosis and arthritis. Chronic tightness in the muscles from a lifelong habit of hunching over a computer can also lead to back pain, which this type of treatment can help alleviate. Thus, many causes of back pain can be treated with spinal decompression therapy.

Many causes of back pain can be found in an active lifestyle with improper warming up or cooling down. How many of us know people that simply put on running shoes and go for an hour-long jog with no stretching? Or people who play pick-up basketball games in incorrect shoes or go to the gym and use improper form on many of their exercises? All of this can lead to back and neck pain issues down the road for even the most active of us. Thankfully, spinal decompression treatments can help address these conditions.

This type of therapy is designed to stimulate more blood flow to the spine and discs and create the conditions under which a herniated or bulging disc can begin the healing process. As the therapy uses traction, the muscles in the back can relax without the danger of cramping or spasms. Many patients feel no discomfort during the procedure, and some even fall asleep while the spine decompression process is going on. The increased blood flow promotes healing by delivering oxygen-rich blood to the areas being worked on.

Spinal decompression is often part of a holistic therapeutic program. Some problems with the back may need to be addressed with other treatments, such as ice, heat, or compression. Patients may be given exercises to help strengthen the muscles of the back and neck, or to increase the flexibility and overall mobility of the joints. Traditional chiropractic adjustments may also be used for some patients to assist in the process.

Due to the fact that spinal surgery is often no more effective than alternative forms of back pain treatment, spinal decompression therapy should be an option considered by many people in pain. In fact, this kind of treatment is often used when surgery fails to fix a herniated disc and may be used after an operation in certain circumstances to promote heating. Spinal decompression has been proven to be a safe and effective process for men and women suffering from back pain, as well as a viable alternative to spine surgery.

Orthopedic Surgery: Your Options

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In Austin, orthopedic surgery is the best option for severe bone- and joint-related problems. With technological advancements in the medical field, orthopedic doctors can carry out effective surgical procedures to help you get rid of discomfort permanently. In Austin, orthopedic surgery uses a number of procedures to treat your condition, whether you are suffering from hand and wrist ailments, back and neck ailments or hip and knee problems.

Austin Orthopedic Surgery: Dealing with Upper Body Ailments
Here are some of the common upper body orthopedic ailments and surgery procedures for their treatment.

Hand, Wrist and Elbow: Orthopedic surgical procedures can help treat a number of hand and wrist conditions, such as flexor tendon injuries, finger conditions like trigger finger, swan neck and bouttoniere, hand dislocations, ganglion cysts, wrist fracture, carpal tunnel syndrome and radial tunnel syndrome. Elbow conditions, such as cubital tunnel syndrome, pitcher's elbow and tennis elbow, can also be effectively treated through orthopedic surgery. Some of the common surgical procedures for hand, wrist and elbow conditions include arthroscopy, open release carpal tunnel surgery, endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery and joint replacement.

Neck and Back: Neck and back ailments include degenerative joint disease, coccydynia or tail bone pain, herniated discs, pinched nerves, sciatica, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, stress fracture, slipped vertebrae and facet joint syndrome. Some of the non operative procedures for neck and back pain treatment include epidural injections, lumbar radio frequency neurotomy and costovertebral block, while some of the surgical procedures include spinal lumbar fusion, lumbar disectomy, laminectomy and anterior cervical disectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Shoulder: Conditions of the shoulder, such as bicep tendon tear, rotator cuff tear, shoulder dislocation, shoulder separation, shoulder impingement syndrome, frozen shoulder and SLAP tear, can be effectively treated in Austin with orthopedic surgery procedures. Some of the treatment procedures are rotator cuff tear repair, arthroscopy, shoulder impingement syndrome repair, reverse shoulder replacement and total shoulder replacement.

Austin Orthopedic Surgery: Lower Body Ailments and Treatment
Here are some of the orthopedic surgery procedures for lower body orthopedic problems.

Hip and Knee: Austin orthopedic surgery procedures can help treat conditions of the hip and knee, such as hip fracture, meniscus tear, knee ligament tear, patellofemoral syndrome, hamstring muscle injuries and snapping hip. Effective treatment procedures include direct anterior hip surgery, minimally invasive hip replacement, hip fracture open reduction internal fixation and total hip replacement.

Ankle and Foot: Conditions of the foot and ankle, such as Achilles tendon tear, bunionette, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, LisFranc dislocation, and a number of other conditions can be successfully treated with surgical procedures, such as arthroscopy and joint replacement procedures.

Treatment Resistant Sciatica

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Treatment resistant sciatica is the most common form of lower back and leg pain syndrome. Sciatica has a well earned reputation as a chronic and stubborn symptomatic expression and is known to be extremely difficult to cure. In fact, patients who experience symptoms lasting more than 6 months have a better chance of enduring a lifetime of suffering than they do of ever truly recovering 100%.

Sciatica is not a condition or diagnosis unto itself. It is a term reserved for a set of symptoms which generally includes pain, tingling, weakness and/or numbness in the lower back, buttocks legs and/or feet. Sciatica can be caused by a diversity of mechanical, vascular, neurological and psychosomatic sources, although the vast majority of affected patients are diagnosed with a spinal causation of one type or another.

The usual diagnosed spinal sources of sciatica may include such conditions as: degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, osteoarthritic bone spurs, foraminal stenosis, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, chemical radiculitis from a ruptured disc and extreme lumbar hyper-lordosis. The most commonly diagnosed non-spinal structural sources of sciatica include piriformis syndrome and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. While it is true that virtually all of these conditions can create sciatic nerve pain in the lower body, it is also a fact that these symptoms are rarely long lasting and will almost always respond well to appropriate treatment modalities.

If sciatica caused by a structural source is not generally a chronic concern and typically resolves with indicated therapy, why do most patients never recover from their pain? This is an age old question which has plagued sciatica sufferers and care providers for generations. The answer to this question is becoming ever clearer, as new research points to the epidemic incidence of ischemia as the logical causation of most sciatica and general radicular pain syndromes. Ischemia is also known as oxygen deprivation back pain, and can come about due to a variety of anatomical causes often associated with poor cardiac or vascular function. However, the overwhelming majority of ischemic pain syndromes are the direct result of a psychogenically driven or psychosomatically perpetuated pain imperative enacted by the subconscious mind as a defense mechanism against repressed, suppressed and completely unconscious expressions of anger, fear, insecurity, poor self esteem, guilt, regret and other negative and highly sensitive emotional issues.

Medical doctors do not receive comprehensive training in mind/body medicine and are taught in the well established Cartesian tradition of engineering the human body as a great and complex machine. This approach to care is poorly conceived, ineffective and directly responsible for the epidemic of chronic pain which is burdening our healthcare system to the point of failure. Doctors need to wake up to the facts that the mind and body do indeed work together to create all conditions of disease and health. Doctors need to address the emotional side of chronic pain. Most of all, doctors need to stop blaming ongoing pain on coincidental and completely normal spinal scapegoats, such as disc abnormalities and spinal arthritis. The medical approach to treating back pain is a dismal failure and it is time for care givers to acquiesce to the idea that they are completely misguided in almost all that is accepted about common back pain and sciatica. Once this occurs, then true progress towards effective treatment can begin...

Luckily, in the meantime, there are a growing number of doctors who have embraced the truth about chronic pain and have been treating it very successfully using a completely psycho-emotional approach. The treatment statistics are incredible using knowledge therapy, as opposed to the plethora of mostly punishing and wasteful medical modalities, such as spinal surgery, ongoing chiropractic manipulations, risky pharmaceutical treatment and invasive injection therapy. It is amazing how well psychological therapies work at permanently resolving physical pain, while physical treatments do little more than provide temporary placebo effects and fatten the wallets of care givers...

Piriformis Syndrome - Self Diagnosis

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"Oh No!" It's the acute or chronic feeling of pain, hot or cold, numbness, weakness, "electric shocks," or strange sensations, starting near your buttocks and going down your leg. You've got sciatica, and all you know is that it can be excruciating. Sciatica may originate in your brain, your back, or where you sit, stemming from nerve problems in the back or entrapped nerves in the pelvis or buttocks. What causes the pain is just as varied and potentially confusing. The trouble is often due to a herniated disk, spinal stenosis, or piriformis syndrome--a commonly misdiagnosed compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Here we are going to tell you how to self-diagnose whether you have piriformis syndrome.

If you are wondering if you have piriformis syndrome you can do a lot to diagnose yourself at home. First, is the pain worse when you are sitting down? Do you have pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the buttocks, down the back of the leg, or both? Without such pain and discomfort, you can rule out piriformis syndrome. Next, if you press on the muscle in each buttock, just above the middle of the cheek, and you have pain on one side or both sides, that is another indication that you have piriformis syndrome. Sometimes you can feel the muscle in spasm there. If you don't feel any pain, tenderness, or discomfort with this pressure, chances are you don't have the problem, though there are a few exceptions to this rule. Third is the classic "straight leg raise test". To do this, you will need someone to help you out. First, you lie flat on your back on a hard surface. Next, the person helping you, will raise your legs one at a time. As this is being done, you must let this person know at what point you feel pain and at what angle you feel it. If the angle is between 30 and 60 degrees and the pain is in the back, it often indicates irritation of nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. Bending the knee while the leg is still raised should relieve the pain. If this does not relieve the pain then the problem is probably in the hip. If the pain is in the back of your knee and occurs at the same angle for both legs, you may have nothing more serious than tight hamstrings. If, however piriformis syndrome is present, this test should cause more pain on the side that is most affected.

Next we will explain how to perform the FAIR test at home. A simple form of this test, without an EMG machine was created by a Norwegian surgeon named Solheim and is commonly referred to as the Solheim Test. First, lie on your side on the floor, with the painful side up. Next, bring the knee of the leg on that side down to the floor, without turning over and without facing downward. A friend can do that part and the next. Now press ypur knee downward and move the ankle upward, more or less using the leg as a crank to turn the hip joint counterclockwise(to the left)and clockwise(to the right). If you feel pain you may well have Piriformis Syndrome.

There is also a test called the Paces Test, which also requires the help of a friend. Assume the same position as at the start of the Solheim Test. Raise your bent leg. Your friend should now try earnestly but not too vigorously to keep it down Once your leg is up in the air, hold it there. If you are weaker on one side than the other, that is another indication that you may be suffering from Piriformis Syndrome. If you experience any severe abnormalities while performing these tests, you may want to go see your doctor for the full version of the Fair Test with an EMG machine.

A conventional X-ray will not show piriformis syndrome, nor will any standard MRI or EMG. However, the spasm of the piriformis muscle can affect the sciatic nerve and can damage or even sever some of its fibers, and an EMG can pick up that damage.

The various types of exertion that could have caused piriformis syndrome in the first place can also make it worse, or make it begin again if it has eased up. Running on a treadmill is an example of this, as is walking up steep stairs or a hill, or heavy lifting for a long period of time.

Most of the time, people who have piriformis syndrome have it on one side, then get it on the other side as well. The pressure of the abnormally large or stiff piriformis muscle pulls the sciatic nerve taut. The recommended physical therapy for Piriformis Syndrome is two or three times per week for one to three months. We sincerely hope that this has made it easier to tell whether you have this sydrome before you spend a lot of money and time on worthless doctor visits that may not tell you any more than these simple tests will tell you. And we hope that this will help you to tell the difference between sciatica pain and the discomfort and Piriformis Syndrome.

Yoga Stretches for Sciatica - Get Rid Of That Pain

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How Yoga Alleviates the Pain of Sciatica

Most adults will experience some form of sciatica at some point in their lives. For some it will be a brief occurrence never repeated again. For others it will be a persistent, painful reminder of the frailty of the human body. In all cases, stretches for sciatica based on yoga can provide both timely and long term relief.

What is Sciatica?

The symptoms for sciatica range from relatively mild to downright excruciating. The may consist of a burning sensation in your leg. Or a sharp pain in your lower spine. Or even a stabbing pain in your butt. All these and more symptoms can occur in anyone, but most often in people with lower back issues, the overweight and pregnant women. They become more prevalent as we age.

The sciatic nerve extends from your lower back, along the back of your leg and on down to your foot. (And, if you didn't guess, yes there are two of them - one for each leg.) When something happens at any point along this nerve, you are said to be suffering from sciatica. That's when stretches for sciatica can help.

Common causes of sciatic pain include herniated (slipped) discs, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) and something called Piriformis Syndrome (a neuromuscular disorder). It is important to understand why you have the pain before you try to alleviate it. Talk to your doctor about the source of the pain, then to your yoga instructor to design a program to help relieve it.

Which Asanas for Which Pain?

Depending on the type of sciatica you have, stretches for sciatica in the form of different yoga poses (asanas) may help.

• If your pain is caused by lumbar spine disorder, you can try lengthening and straightening the spine. Asanas good for this include Puppy Dog, Mountain and Bound Angle poses. More advanced spine strengthening poses include Camel, Bridge and Fish. If these are beyond your abilities, ask your yoga instructor to show you how to modify them.


• Your core abdominal muscles are important for supporting your spine. Stretches for sciatica include alignment poses such as Boat, Half Boat and Twists to help your abs and improve your posture. Men in particular should note that these exercises are not meant to develop "six pack" abs. They are meant to strengthen your abdominal muscles and keep them in proper alignment.


• If your situation arises from the Piriformis muscle pressing on your sciatic nerve, you need to stretch that muscle. Try the poses already mentioned to help align the spine. You can also add Knee Down Twist, Prayer Twist and Pigeon.

Sciatic pain is no fun. Even in its least difficult form, it can incapacitate you for minutes or hours. In its more drastic form, it can cripple you completely. Using yoga asanas and meditation can help tremendously. To get started, try using simple deep breathing exercises. They will help your muscles relax so you can try the stretches for sciatica yoga poses for even more relief.

Long Term Complications of Spinal Cord Injury

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Spinal cord injury affects approximately one-quarter of a million people, with approximately 11,000 new injuries occurring each year. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, trauma, sport-related injuries and violence are common causes of spinal cord injury. Spinal injuries often leave victims with long term complications that must be coped with for the remainder of the victim's life.

The following are some common complications of spinal injury:

• Bladder control- bladder control may be lost as a result of spinal injury, due to the fact that nerves from the cord that signal a full bladder are damaged. Victims of spinal may be prone to bladder infections, kidney infections and renal calculi (kidney stones). It is important to take in enough fluids to prevent infection and stones. The spinal injured victim may need to learn new ways to empty their bladder.

• Bowel control- bowel control may be lost due to loss of the ability to control muscles that open and close the anus. Dietary changes and a bowel routine will be important as a means of coping with bowel incontinence should it occur.

• Impaired sensation- the victim of cord injury may lose sensation below the level of the injury, either in part or in whole. This means that the person may be unable to feel sensations such as pain, heat and cold. This loss of sensation makes the victim prone to pressure sores. Forever after, strict attention to the skin will be important in preventing pressure ulcers, which are one of the most dreaded complications of spinal.

• Changes in circulation- damage to the spine may cause circulatory changes, such as low blood pressure upon rising from a lying or sitting position, edema (swelling) of the extremities, and an increased risk of developing blood clots. Autonomic hyperreflexia is a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure that some victims of cord injury experience. Learning to cope with circulatory system changes is important following a spinal cord.

• Respiratory problems- depending on the level of injury, people with a spine injury may experience difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing secretions. With a very high spine injury, some victims may require mechanical ventilation. Learning to detect signs of respiratory infection early is one of the challenges of living with spine injury.

• Muscle problems- people with cord injury may have spastic or flaccid paralysis. Spasticity results in uncontrollable muscle movement while flaccid muscles lack tone and are limp.

• Pain- it is a myth that people with spinal injury can no longer feel pain. They may experience joint or muscle pain from overuse of certain muscle groups or they may experience nerve pain, especially if they have experienced an incomplete spinal injury.

• Sexual changes- men with spine cord may have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection or have difficulty with ejaculation. Both men and women may notice decreased sensation below the level of their spinal injury. People with spinal cord injury are generally fertile and can still reproduce.

Although complications of spinal cord injury can be overwhelming in the beginning, all of these problems can be dealt with. Many people with spinal injury lead relatively normal lives and go on to have a career and even a family. Part of rehabilitation after a spine injury is learning to cope with complications of spinal cord injury.

Sciatica Surgery

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Sciatica surgery is a drastic therapy option performed on untold millions of patients who demonstrate the chronic and agonizing symptoms of unilateral or bilateral sciatica. Lower back and leg pain has reached epidemic proportions and although there are more treatments available than ever before, very few patients are able to achieve true and lasting cures. In fact, not only are most sciatica care options ineffective, but surgical interventions demonstrate some of the worst possible results and also have a high risk of causing more harm than good.

Sciatica surgery is a specialty of both the orthopedic and neurological sectors of medicine. There are a wide range of possible procedures utilized in an attempt to resolve serious and long standing sciatic pain issues, depending on the diagnosed source. The vast majority of patients will undergo lower spinal surgery, since most sciatica complaints are traced back to structural abnormalities in the lumbar or lumbosacral spinal regions. A few patients will undergo cervical spinal surgery, as their pain is theorized to exist due to spinal stenosis in the neck. A few patients will undergo non-spinal surgeries aimed at soft tissue abnormalities suspected of being the source of symptoms, such as in the case of piriformis syndrome.

Herniated discs are the most common of all the spinal irregularities treated surgically in association with lower body sciatica. While it is possible that herniated and bulging discs can indeed source sciatica symptoms, it is actually quite rare. Research statistics show little, if any, correlation between the incidence of lumbar herniations and sciatica pain conditions. In fact, clinical research clearly shows that a great number of patients have rather nasty looking herniated discs which have turned up on coincidental diagnostic imaging for unrelated conditions, while many seemingly minor disc issues are blamed daily for causing horrific and intractable pain. It makes little sense... When you consider the truly awful long term curative results from such surgeries as discectomy and spinal fusion, it is easy to see that the disc is most likely not the cause of the pain, but has merely been mistakenly identified as such. This misdiagnosis is a huge part of the iatrogenic error rampant in the healthcare sector and is a particularly huge burden to back pain sufferers worldwide.

Sciatica surgery can also be used to treat other innocent aspects of the spinal aging process, including degenerative disc disease and spinal osteoarthritis. I have yet to see a case of DDD which was truly responsible for sciatica, although many patients are diagnosed with just this verdict. This is amazing since disc desiccation is well known in the medical community to be a normal, expected and universal part of the aging process. No evidence of the process being inherently painful has ever come to definitive light. Osteoarthritic change in the lower spine is also par for the course and it is normal that people will suffer the typical central canal narrowing, foraminal narrowing and osteophyte formation common to osteoarthritis. I have seen many of these cases being the actual source of pain, but this still only represents maybe 5 to 10% of diagnosed cases.

Of course, there are many other structural issues treated surgically as well, when sciatic complaints are blamed on the changes seen on diagnostic imaging films. Some of these conditions include scoliosis, hyperlordosis, hypolordosis, spondylolisthesis, retrolisthesis and anterolisthesis. In virtually all cases, spinal fusion is utilized to fix the vertebrae into place. Of all back surgeries, this particular procedure offers the least hope of resolving pain and in many, many cases, actually makes the symptomatic expression far worse. However, it is fair to say that in at least 10% of cases, the diagnosis is correct as to the source of pain, despite the treatment being barbaric, unenlightened and virtually completely ineffectual.

My advice when it comes to sciatica surgery is simple. Don't do it, unless it is deemed a medical emergency by at least 3 different surgeons. Don't even think about it, unless all other options have been exhausted. Statistics are not on your side. Once damage has been done surgically (and yes, all manner of spinal surgeries cause incredible trauma), there may be no chance of ever being pain-free again. At the very least, do your own research and learn the real facts about sciatica surgery for yourself. If you like what you read, then by all means, you can still have the operation. However, once you go through with it, there is no "undoing" what has been perpetrated against your anatomy. Think carefully...