Understanding Radicular Low Back Pain - Symptoms, Treatment and Pain Relief Options

How is your lower back feeling?

Do you struggle with lower back issues that can really make your life hard?

1.) Introduction to This Article

Radicular Back Pain or sciatica is a deep throbbing pain that radiates from the lower back, along the sciatic nerve, that can reach down to the thighs and calves, all the way to the feet. The pain is usually due to the compression, inflammation or damage of the nerve or nerve root that is connected to the spinal column. Other causes could be a herniated disc, diabetes or a degenerative disc disease. Symptoms present themselves as a tingling numbness, muscle weakness and loss of specific reflexes.

2.) Surgery, Do You Need It?

Often times people will think that they need surgery for a lower back issue. This is not always the case. Actually, for most back pain, it is true that surgery is not needed. Having said this, we can not forget about the importance of a surgical procedure, because sometimes it is our best option to help reduce back pain.

Smokers in general are deemed as slow healers and will suffer the most. Quitting during the healing process will help. Precautions to take to ensure that this doesn't happen again starts off with losing weight if you are overweight. The less pressure there is on the discs or nerve, the less the chances of a repeated episode.

3.) Back Supports, A Conservative Treatment Option

One of the best ways to help reduce back pain conservatively is to use a low profile, yet light weight back support. The good thing about these kinds of braces is that they are easily concealed by just using a t-shirt, so cosmetic challenges are basically solved at this point.

Medical literature supports the use of back braces to help patient's heal after surgery. They do so by off loading hurt muscles or discs, for example, and they can also prevent you from making those movements that will inflame your back issue. This in and of itself, can help promote healing for an injured back. Sometimes, when you use a quality low back support, your doctor may tell you that you do not need surgery. Often times a quality surgeon will tell you that you should exhaust your conservative treatment options first prior to a surgery. This is where lower back support can really help.

*This is health information. We strongly believe in the use of back supports, however, it is important to talk to your doctor about medical advice for your particular situation.