Archive for the ‘pain in low back’ Category
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Symptoms of sciatica can be painful and uncomfortable. However, they can be confused up with symptoms for another type of back pain. More often than not the actually discomfort of sciatica pain begins within the back leg. Symptoms of sciatica vary depending on the sufferer. Below are some common symptoms of sciatica.
- The lower leg or the shifting of feet may cause a feeling associated with a weak point and numbness.
- If lower-leg discomfort is actually worse compared to back pain discomfort.
- Agonizing or razor-sharp discomfort in the back and leg is experienced.
- Discomfort is mainly in a single area rather than all over the body.
- The pain is a long-lasting discomfort within the lower-leg, back, and buttocks.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of sciatica you should see a doctor as soon as possible. They physician will first rule out acute medical causes such as tumors, internal bleeding, infection, or other chronic diseases such as diabetes. After these have been ruled out, the physical will continue the examination to determine the exact cause of sciatica.
The doctor may choose to do one of the following examinations:
- Physical examination
- Reflexes: wear or absent ankle-jerk reflex
- Foot may be bend inward or downward with extreme difficulty
- Reproduction of sciatica pain when the leg is lifted straight off the exam table.
- Weakness of knee bending
- EMG (recording of electrical activity in muscles): needles are strategically placed along the nerve passage, and the electrical conduction is recorded
- Radiological exams: X-rays, MRI’s CAT scans, etc. may all be included as part of the examination process.
Above are some of the common symptoms of sciatica and what may occur during an examination for diagnosing sciatica pain. When diagnosed, the discomfort of the symptoms of sciatica can be treated.
Tags: back of legs pain, back pain in lower back, back pain prevention, causes of sciatica, pain in lower back, sciatic nerve pain, sciatic pain, sciatica causes, sciatica nerve, sciatica pain, sciatica symptoms, sciatica treatments, symptoms of sciatica, what causes sciatica
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Friday, January 27th, 2012
There are numerous causes of sciatica. Sciatica is caused by the compression of the nerve roots located in the lower back or in the lumbar area. The nerve roots that are affected or compressed may be only one set, but in some cases there are more than five sets that suffer this disorder, which can cause spinal nerve compression. There are six most common causes of sciatica. Below are the specific causes of sciatica.
- Lumbar Herniated Disc: A herniated disc happens when the nucleus in our body breaks through our annulus. This occurrence is called non-contained disc disorder. The disc material can press against the adjacent nerve root or against a delicate nerve tissue other than the nerve root. This will eventually cause sciatica.
- Spondylolisthesis: This usually affects the lumbar spine. This disorder is normally characterized by a vertebra that slips forward over its adjacent vertebra. When this happens and the vertebra is displaced, spinal nerve root compression will occur. Once nerve compression takes place, this will cause sciatic leg pain.
- Piriformis Syndrome: This is also another sciatica cause, which refers to the pain when muscle irritates the sciatic nerve. This kind of syndrome happens when the muscle spasms generally develop within the muscle of the piriformis. These developed muscle spasms will then compress the sciatic nerve.
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: This spinal stenosis is generally a disorder of nerve compression. This disorder often happens to mature by people. One of the common results of this spinal issue is a leg pain, which is very similar to sciatica. This is usually caused by some activities like walking or by standing for long period of time.
Above are common causes of sciatica. Usually with causes of sciatica the nerve roots are affected or compressed. Many different things can cause sciatica and the severity of sciatica may differ depending on the cause.
Tags: back pain tips, causes for pain in back, causes of pain in back, causes of sciatica, pain in low back, sciatic pain, sciatica causes, sciatica facts, sciatica pain, sciatica pain remedies, sciatica pian, sciatica relief, sciatica symptoms, sciatica tips, sciatica treatments
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Friday, January 20th, 2012
There are a lot of people suffering from sciatica these days and one of the best ways to alleviate the symptoms is through a sciatica massage. There have been many people who suffer from sciatica that have benefitted from a sciatica massage as treatment. There are different types of massages that have been proven to be effective to relieve the sciatica pain. The sciatica massage is different for a chronic patient than it is for a bed ridden one.
The healing effect of a sciatica massage will only be experienced once this type of treatment method is done on a regular basis. Among the various sciatica massage treatments, the most popular are grouped into two divisions, the Western and the Oriental techniques. The kind of massage that should be given is dependent also on the kind of sciatica a patient suffers from. Therefore, it is always good to consult an expert on sciatica pain before doing any messages in order to determine the correct massage type to use.
The different types of sciatica massage include: Psoas major, ischemic compression, cross fiber friction, quadrates lumborum, and gluteus medius. Even though there are different types of massages for sciatica, all massage therapists agree that the sciatic nerve should never be touched or meddled with too much. Once the sciatic nerve is inflamed, the patient feels a severe pain. Usually, the numbness can be noticed on one side or both sides, along with the legs, which may be difficult to move.
Massage therapists use different methods to conduct a sciatica massage. The most useful and commonly used is the longitudinal strapping or the static compression. This is proven to be the most successful treatment in the form of a massage. This kind of massage allows the therapist to put a great amount of pressure on the muscles and allows him or her to reach the depths on the contraction. An expert therapist always knows how to deal with the various muscle imbalances of a patient. One of the things that a therapist should be able to do is to massage the muscles on the lower back as well as the hip rotators so the patient will be relieved from pain.
The treatment for sciatica will become more successful through a sciatica massage once a therapist and the patient have a healthy relationship. Communication is important with your massage therapist. One important thing to do during a sciatica massage is to tell the therapist exactly how you feel while the massage is being given so that he or she will be aware of it. This will also help the therapist to determine the right kind of sciatica massage to use for the best treatment!
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Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
Sciatica sufferers are always looking for the best pain relief. When the sciatic nerve is inflamed, that is when you will feel the pain and discomfort. The symptoms of the condition include: burning and tingling sensations, shooting pain, weakness, and numbness. The best sciatica pain relief is just waiting for you! But you will have to consult your doctor about it!
The shooting pain is very alarming and there are times when you can’t move around with ease. Millions of people are suffering from sciatica and because of this, there is an increase in the demand for sciatica pain relief. There are health conditions that require surgery, but once these things are ruled out, you can choose among different treatment options.
Doctors usually recommend the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines. The most popular of these treatments are NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin. Tylenol is an analgesic and it is very popular in treating the pain. Muscle relaxants and codeine preparations are also recommended for acute sciatica. Higher doses of corticosteroids are injected directly on the spinal area.
You can also do simple exercises for sciatica, but this is only possible if the pain has disappeared. You will need to rest for several days until the pain goes away. Don’t stay too long in bed because this will only make the condition worse. Instead, it is best to start with exercises that can enhance your flexibility. If you don’t use your muscles, they will grow weak. There is a significant need to protect and support the spine joints. With regular exercise, you may be able to promote healing. Circulation is also improved when you perform the right exercises.
The right treatment for sciatica depends on the root cause of the problem. When you have sciatica, the muscles in the spinal area are very tight. Through simple stretches, you can loosen the muscles and give the sciatic nerve more room. You also need to stretch the muscles in the hamstrings, buttocks and lower back.
Surgery is the last option for those suffering from sciatica. If the treatments or exercises recommended above do not work, you should consult your doctor. Surgery is invasive and costly. It is best to give yourself a chance to try the natural treatments and medications for sciatica first, before turning to surgery.
Tags: back pain prevention, back pain studies, back pain tips, causes for pain in back, causes of pain in back, massage for sciatica, pain in low back, pain relief, sciatic pain relief, sciatica, sciatica causes, sciatica pain, sciatica pain medications, sciatica pain relief, sciatica pain remedies, sciatica relief, sciatica symptoms, sciatica tips, sciatica treatments, treating back pain, treatment for sciatica
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Acupuncture has been used for centuries as a chronic pain treatment, and often as a sciatica pain treatment. According to wikipedia, acupuncture is based on the premise that bodily functions are regulated by the flow of an energy-like entity called qi. Acupuncture aims to correct imbalances in the flow of qi by stimulation of anatomical locations on or under the skin called acupuncture points, most of which are connected by channels known as meridians. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of ailments, but is foound especially helpful in the treatment of chronic pain.
Acupuncture is believed to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain, called endorphins. Many acu-points are near nerves. When stimulated, these nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle. The stimulated muscle sends a message to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), causing the release of endorphins (morphine-like chemicals produced in our own bodies during times of pain or stress). Endorphins, along with other neurotransmitters, block the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain.
Although acupuncture is not a cure for sciatica pain, it is very effective in treating several diseases and conditions. Acupuncture is most effective at treating chronic pain, such as headaches; menstrual cramps; and low back (sciatica pain), neck, or muscle pain. It can also be used to treat arthritis, facial pain, pain from shingles, and spastic colon and colitis conditions. Acupuncture has also been successful in treating obesity and addictions such as nicotine or drugs. Acupuncture also can improve the functioning of the immune system!
If you are suffering from sciatica pain, what’s stopping you from trying acupuncture as a sciatica pain treatment? There are many acupuncturists that are now offering a sliding fee scale for low income households – and quite frankly the fees are minimal compared to traditional medicine!
Tags: acupuncture for sciatica, how to treat sciatica, relief from sciatica, sciatic pain relief, sciatica pain treatment, sciatica remedies, sciatica treatment, scitica remedy, treating sciatica, treating sciatica naturally, types of sciatica therapy
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Monday, December 5th, 2011
Are there some products that you are in need of to help relieve your back pain? Why not add them to this years Christmas list?! Below is a list that we compiled of items usually found helpful to help relieve back pain:
- Supportive pillows for your neck and for between your knees while you sleep – some people enjoy using a body pillow.
- A heating pad, ice pack or moist-heat pack to ease the intense pain of flair-ups.
- Non-invasive, low impact exercise tapes such as yoga.
- An orthopedic back support for your car or for your desk chair
- A yoga ball to sit on while at your desk.
- A supportive, ergonomically designed chair for your desk.
- Aromatherapy products such as bath salts or lotions.
- Supportive shoes or perhaps gel inserts for your current pair.
- Ergonomic supports for your wrists if you work at a computer.
- A headset to use if you spend a lot of time on the phone.
- Travel aids that ease the strain on your neck and spine, such as a cart or comfortable backpack case to carry your laptop, or a neck pillow for sleeping on the airplane.
- And last, but not least, you might want to wish for a gift certificate for a massage with a licensed massage therapist – if the source of your pain is musculoskeletal, this might be quite helpful.
Do you have an item on your holiday wish list that isn’t listed here? Please let us know on the comment section within this post!
Tags: back pain in the holidays, back pain items, back pain products, help with back pain, holidays and back pain, things to buy for back pain, wish list for back pain products
Posted in back pain tips, holiday tips for back pain, pain in low back, sciatic pain, sciatica pain, sciatica pain remedies, sciatica tips, staying healthy with sciatica, tips | No Comments »
Monday, November 28th, 2011
Back pain is a common complaint — in fact, it’s the fifth most common reason that people see a doctor! If you are experiencing severe back pain it is recommended that you consult your physician for advice on treatment. However, in the mean time you can use these tips at home to cope.
Back pain tips dos and don’ts:
- Back pain can be treated like any other muscle pain — with gentle massage and light exercise.
- Try an over-the-counter pain reliever that also blocks swelling. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers such as ibuprofen should do the trick.
- Massage the area with an over-the-counter muscle pain-relieving cream, gel, or ointment.
- Make sure to maintain descent posture, to the best of your ability – this means sitting, standing, sleeping etc.
- Sleep on a mattress that gives you the right amount of support.
- Avoid ANY heavy lifting.
- Wear comfortable and supportive shoes.
Do you have any back pain tips that have helped you to cope? Please let us know and comment on this post!
Tags: at home tips for back pain, at home tips for pain, back pain tips, first aid for back pain, low back pain, lower back pain, tips for back pain, tips for low back pain
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Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
I
t is no surprise that shoveling snow is one of the most common causes of low back pain in the U.S. In fact, today as I struggled with scooping up and tossing the wet, heavy snow, I thought to myself – “There must be a better way to do this, because it hurts!” After doing some digging it seems that there are some proper steps to take when shoveling to prevent causing low back pain or other back issues:
- Pick the right shovel!
Tools are usually the most important part of any project right? So why skimp when it comes to buying the right shovel! An ergonomic shovel can help take some of the effort out of your snow removal task. A shovel with a curved handle or an adjustable handle length may minimize painful bending, which may cause you back pain. In addition, a small, lightweight, plastic blade helps reduce the amount of weight that you are constantly moving.
- Keep warm.
Cold, tight muscles are more prone to injury than warmed up, flexible muscles. Do your back a favor by warming up for five to ten minutes before shoveling or any strenuous activity. To get your blood moving try stretching, running in place or going for a walk before shoveling.
- Use ergonomics:
SpineHealth.com suggests the following techniques to maintaining posture while shoveling snow:
- Always face towards the object you intend to lift (ie have your shoulders and hips both squarely facing it)
- Bend at the hips, not the low back, and push the chest out, pointing forward. Then, bend your knees and lift with your leg muscles, keeping your back straight
- Keep your loads light and do not lift an object that is too heavy for you
- If you must lift a shovel full, grip the shovel with one hand as close to the blade as comfortably possible and the other hand on the handle (handle and arm length will vary the technique)
- Avoid twisting the back to move your object to its new location – always pivot your whole body to face the new direction
- Keep the heaviest part of the object close to your body at your center of gravity – do not extend your arms to throw the snow
- Walk to the new location to deposit the item rather than reaching or tossing
The above suggestions are for preventing low back pain caused by shoveling, if you already have a back injury or low back pain, you should consult with a health professional before even attempting to shovel.
Tags: back pain and shoveling snow, low back pain and shoveling, shoveling snow tips, tips for shoveling snow, tips for shoveling with back pain, tips for shoveling with back problems
Posted in back pain prevention, causes for pain in back, causes of pain in back, ergonomics, pain in low back, sciatic pain, sciatica causes, sciatica pain, sciatica tips, tips | No Comments »
Friday, November 11th, 2011
While there are many therapies and medications that can be used as a sciatica pain treatment, shiatsu is one that we don’t commonly discuss. Shiatsu is an eastern massage technique which may help relax the muscles in the back and neck. It is said that shiatsu dates back about one thousand years to the country of Japan. In Japan, a traditional shiatsu practitioner is usually a small gentleman who uses his palms, thumbs, fingers and knees to provide a rhythmic massage for pain relief.
Shiatsu as a sciatica pain treatment may be beneficial as it is believed that applying pressure in specific spots will encourage the ki, or chi, to flow through the bones, arteries, muscles and skin of the affected area.
The core belief behind shiatsu is that the body has the power to heal itself. The massage aspect of shiatsu is simply a means of encouragement for healing through the body’s energy. The massage may also help to release blocked energy that may be causing pain.
Shiatsu sessions usually last about an hour, most people state that they feel extremely relaxed afterward. In fact, some people claim that shiatsu has effectively eliminated the pain of sciatica in five sessions or less, making it a very intriguing sciatica pain treatment option.
Tags: relief fro sciatica, sciatic pain relief, sciatica pain relief, sciatica pain treatment, sciatica treatment, Shiatsu. shiatsu for sciaitica
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Friday, October 28th, 2011
Dr. Brian Hainline – the author of “Back Pain Understood: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Healing Your Back,” and the chief medical officer of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, discusses back pain and why it commonly occurs as we age.
“Back pain can be a natural part of getting older, especially if you don’t care for your back as well as you should,” explains Hainline. In the interview Dr. Hainline compares the workings of our backs to shock absorbers, and explains that over time these parts loose their ability – making our bodies more vulnerable to pain. “Our backs start to have trouble adapting to our bodies’ needs. It’s much like a car without good shock absorbers.”
So how do we stay ahead of the game, and prevent back pain from occurring as we age? Hainline explains that we have two choices, either we build up the shocks, or we use different roads to get where we’re going.
To learn more watch the video, or visit the interview directly on: Avoiding Back Pain As We Age.
Tags: age and back pain, age and pain, age and sciatica, age causes pain in lower back, bak pain and age, getting older and back pain, lower back pain, pain from age, scaitica and age, why does back pain occur as we age
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