If you suffer from back pain, you know how debilitating and frustrating it can be. Lower back pain is the biggest cause of disability worldwide and one of the most common reasons that employees miss work. Experts estimate that 80% of us will suffer from back pain at one point or another. WOW.
Lower back pain can result, as you would imagine, from injuries from accidents, but it can result from simple movements like bending over to pick something up or twisting too abruptly. Other common triggers of back pain are obesity, stress, arthritis and bad posture, of course. Situational circumstances like stress, prolonged sitting, wearing high heels or not sleeping on your bed can cause or aggravate back pain. It’s complicated because the back is complicated. This structure is made up of fascia, ligaments, muscles, bones, emotions and energy.
Roll + Restore
AND then comes in “Sciatica”. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve that runs from the low back, passes the butt and goes down the back of the legs. It branches into the thighs, calves, feet and even the toes. Sciatica pain is caused when the nerve is injured, aggravated, squished or stuck by either scar tissue or congested fascia. These congested tissue and/or injuries are the result of poor posture, mis-alignment of the pelvis, stress, trauma or fear. Sciatica pain can also be the result of degenerative disc disease, vertebra slips/herniated, or narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back (stenosis).
How to tell the difference from just back pain and sciatica pain? The sciatica pain usually starts in the low back and continues along the path of the long nerve, so it extends through the buttocks, possibly thighs, low leg and even foot (one or two legs). It’s sharp, electric or numbing pain. It often feels better when walking and worsens when standing or sitting.
If you’re suffering intense lower back pain or sciatica, the best place to start is go to the doctor. As I said, it’s complicated and you may need help figuring out what is the root cause. Understanding how the problem was caused in the first place can help you with treatment options. The options for treatment range from physical therapy, massage, Pilates, yoga, acupuncture, structural integration, medication or surgery, in extreme situations. I’ve tried them all but surgery, and they all help depending on the root cause.
The best thing you can do to prevent back pain is to look after your back.In case you missed it, HERE are my 5 Easeful Ways to Prevent Back Pain.Prevention will be your biggest asset in avoiding back problems altogether.I’m very committed to instructing bringing prevention and management techniques to the low back in my Roll+Restore workshops.
