Stabbing Lower Back Pain on Side - What is Causing It?

If you have a stabbing lower back pain on the side whether on the right side or the left side of your back and don't know what is causing it then, the first thing you should do, is to look at your symptoms. Is the pain a stabbing pain that runs or radiates downward through the buttocks and down the back of the leg or is more of a stiff or sore muscle ache kind of pain?

If it stiffness and/or soreness then this is just a sore or bruised muscle and a heating pad can help to ease the pain. If however, the pain is stabbing like pain and runs down the back of the leg then, chances are you are suffering from what is commonly known and referred to as sciatica.

Now the question is "What is sciatica?" Sciatica is the word used when referring to pain caused by a damaged sciatic nerve or a sciatic nerve that is being irritated by having pressure placed on it, which brings up the next question, "What is the sciatic nerve?"

The sciatic nerve (there are actual two, one on each side of the body) is the nerve that begins in the lower back, extends out of the spinal column in five places, and runs downward through the buttocks under a muscle called the Piriformis muscle, and down the leg all the way to your feet. They are the longest nerves in the body.

When this nerve, the sciatic nerve, has pressure placed on it, it becomes irritated and inflamed which is, what causes the stabbing lower back pain on one side or the other that you feel. The most common cause of this pressure is Piriformis syndrome, which is the term used to describe a bruised or damaged Piriformis muscle that has swollen due to inflammation.

The Piriformis muscle is the muscle that attaches the lower part of the spinal column to the upper part of the thighbone. As stated above the sciatic nerve run under this muscle so, when the muscle swells due to inflammation it places pressure on the sciatic nerve thus, causing the severe lower back pain that is felt on one side or the other. To ease the pain you must reduce the swelling, just as you would with any kind of inflammation, use ice packs for thirty minutes at a time, every two hours. (Be sure to place a cloth between the ice pack and skin to avoid skin damage.)

The second most common cause, is a slipped or herniated disc, If this were the case, to ease the pain immediately after it first occurs, you would do the same as above. When the sciatic nerve gets squeezes between the discs and vertebrae, it becomes irritated and inflamed and once again, just as with any type of inflammation, you treat it with cold. (Ice)

Look For Uneven Pelvis As The Root Cause Of Chronic Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is an incredibly common problem which affects tens of millions of Americans each year. A very high percentage of hospital emergency department as well as primary care physician office visits are because of chronic lower back pain. Lower back pain affects all races, all genders and people of all ages. Sedentary and overweight people are at a higher risk of suffering with this problem.

Despite billions of dollars being spent on the problem, there isn't any decrease in the incidence or prevalence of this troubling medical epidemic. One plausible reason for this is because we haven't been utilizing the correct remedy. The most common treatment for chronic back pain is medications, massage therapy & physical therapy. Ask any chronic back pain suffer about the effectiveness of these treatments and you will hear a range of comments from "it helped, but after a while the pain came back". You may also hear "I didn't get much of any relief at all". Why is this? Why do so many people continue to suffer day in and day out?

One of the primary causes of chronic lower back pain is an uneven, imbalanced pelvis. The pelvis is composed of two large bones (the innominate), and a triangularly shaped bone in the center (the sacrum). There is very little movement that occurs between the innominate bones and the sacrum (the sacroiliac joint, or "the SI joint"). The SI joint has very little motion. An athletic, younger person may have as much as one to one and a half degrees of total joint motion. Rather than independent movement between these three bones, the pelvis instead moves as a solid block. It can tilt side to side and front to back. The pelvis can also rotate right and left.

The problem occurs is when the pelvis tilts or rotates in a certain way and then stays fixed in that location. When this occurs, the muscles, ligaments and other supportive connective tissues themselves become shortened or lengthened and serve to hold the pelvis in that position indefinitely. When the pelvis becomes chronically misaligned like this, it sets the stage for chronic SI joint pain as well as lumbar spine pain.

The lumbar spine is positioned on top of the sacrum. When the pelvic/sacral block is tilting or is rotated, it creates biomechanical stress on the rest of the spine. In particular, there is a shearing or twisting effect on the lumbar spine (the lower back). This problem can be so pronounced that on x-ray, the spine appears to have a scoliosis.

What can be done to fix an imbalanced pelvis? Certainly taking drugs (NSAIDs, muscle relaxers, etc) won't resolve the problem. Exercise doesn't realign the spine. In fact, exercising on an uneven pelvis may cause more harm than good. It would be the equivalent of continuing to hammer on a bent nail. The most effective thing you can do for an imbalanced pelvis is to get it balanced. You must realign the spine, sacrum & pelvis in order to minimize biomechanical stress on the joints, ligaments, tendons and other supportive soft tissues. The chiropractic adjustment is a time tested therapy for realigning the spine. In my clinic, I utilize chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy modalities, stretching, rehabilitative exercise and soft tissue therapies. And without question, the number one most effective treatment for balancing the pelvis is the chiropractic adjustment. If you have chronic lower back pain, you need to have your pelvis checked for imbalanceding. Getting your pelvis balanced will offer amazing, long lasting relief.

Causes of Lower Back Pain and Sciatica and How to Avoid Them

What are the reasons that back pain and sciatica occur? Whilst no comprehensive answer can be given to this question there are very many everyday causes of these very painful conditions which we should try to be aware of.

The fact is that those who suffer from lower back pain or sciatica have often, perhaps unknowingly, contributed to their condition by some lifestyle matter. This is not just a question of not lifting in the wrong way, a well known factor to back pain problems, and the notorious slipped discs, but also of many other ways of doing things which may not at all be obvious. Several of these will be considered.

Turning and twisting whilst lifting
Apart from the necessary advice never to lift with your back (do not bend over to lift) but to lift with the muscles in your legs keeping your back straight the whole time, it is also important not to twist or turn as you lift. Nor should you turn either as you lift or with your back at any time with a weight in your hands. You should not allow your trunk to turn whilst you are lifting. To do so can place too much strain on the discs in your back. The right way to turn is with your legs whilst standing upright.

Gardening
This activity is one of the prime suspects for causing back problems. Inevitably whilst gardening bending over seems to be unavoidable. The necessary works of gardening involve getting close to the ground. How else can the weeding, the planting and the removal of garden refuse be dealt with? Still worse are such jobs as laying or removing slabs of concrete for paths or drives and pushing an overladen wheelbarrow. And perhaps one of the most frequent causes of back pain from gardening works is the simple digging of a hole in the ground. Even if you start off well with a good long handle spade, sooner or later as the hole gets deeper you will be bending over in a bad position and placing a terrible strain on your back.

These then are jobs which those who suffer back pain or sciatica must simply avoid even if it means leaving the garden untended. Better an unkempt garden than the terrible pain of a displaced disc. Those jobs which you do attempt should be limited to those which do not impose a strain on your back and you need to be ready to stop the moment you feel that you may be beginning to overdo it. For example be careful not to overfill your wheelbarrow. It is better to go backwards and forwards a few more times with a light load than to run any risk. Remember as well never to bend over from the waist to reach the ground but instead to kneel down if possible and always keep your back straight.

Being overweight or unfit.
If you are overweight, and you will surely know if you are, you are likely to be placing too much strain on your back; because the surplus weight causes bad posture both when standing and when walking. If need be you should take the necessary steps to lose weight and there are plenty of ways to find advice on how to do it. Likewise just being unfit will place too much strain on your back. Muscles which lack strength or tone, will not cope well even with the normal stresses that they have to face. So just keeping fit is an important part of keeping back pain and sciatica at bay. For example walking and swimming are excellent activities for this purpose. See if you can find different ways to do some exercise every day.

Carrying heavy weights.
Sometimes it is difficult to avoid carrying bags or other items. But if you really have to do so then take some steps to try and mitigate the risk. When carrying a heavy bag change hands frequently so as to limit the time that the weight is on either side. And perhaps you can divide the weight up and have two bags instead of one which would certainly be preferable. Even better use a back pack with a strong belt strap pulled up properly so that the weight can be on your hips and less on your spine. Best of all use a trolley so that the weight can be pushed along.

Not sitting correctly.
Sitting imposes a strain on the back and the spine, and this is something every back pain sufferer should be aware of. You should always sit straight and have a support such as a cushion for the small of your back to help you maintain the correct posture. Remember that if you slump forward or if your back is rounded forward then your back will inevitably have that undesirable strain imposed on it.

A very good tip when sitting is to make sure that the seat allows your knees to be lower than your hips. Check out the seats that you routinely use and see how they measure up to this standard. You may be shocked to see just how few are satisfactory. Many seats rise towards the front and this inevitably means that the hips and the back are titled the wrong way. Sofas and "comfortable" armchairs are notorious for this problem. Of course you may not like to accept this especially if the armchair is a favorite or has been expensive; but it is better to admit the problem with the chair than to suffer the back pain. All is not necessarily lost however and it may be possible to remedy the defect in the chair with cushions (especially a wedge shaped cushion) to raise your hips higher and to allow your knees to be lower.

One of the very worst types of seat is the car seat which so often has a final rising front and a back which curves inward. With any such seat back problems are very probable. A lumber support and cushions may remedy the deficiency but if not, it is best to look for an alternative seat or even an alternative car with more satisfactory seats.

An unsatisfactory bed. or mattress.
Does your back start to ache as soon as you stand up from your bed each morning? If so then your bed or your mattress may be part of the reason for your condition. A bed which sags in the middle or which does not support your back adequately as you sleep can so easily create real problems for your back. The fault may be the bed itself; for example a sprung base may cause the mattress above it to sag. Or it may be that the mattress is worn out and dips in the middle. Or possibly a combination of both defects. A bed with a sprung base can be modified by placing a sheet of wood immediately under the mattress and this may cure the sagging. However a mattress which is worn out needs to be replaced.

For more information about lower back pain and sciatica please visit lower-back-sprain

Please bear in mind that this article is for general information purposes only and is not medical advice about your health. If you have a medical condition or problem you should always consult your doctor as to the matter which may be more serious than you realize.

A Story of Low Back Pain From Drinking Too Much

Complaints of Right Low Back Pain and Bad Digestion.

A patient presented with a complaint of moderate low back pain, mid back tightness and digestive upset with almost everything eaten. This was a recent experience with no long term history of this symptom.

This is a prime example of abusing the Healing Energy System and the Second Brain nervous system. The problem is eating too fast, drinking too much with meals and chewing gum. How does that cause low back pain?

Let me explain the healing energy flow in the body. When you stress the digestive organs there is an energy draw from the connective tissues- especially from the spinal support structures. If your spinal muscles are not functioning properly the back will not move properly and will be stressed from normal activities.

Eating fast impairs normal digestion and puts a stress on the digestive processes. Drinking too much- more than 4 ounces with a meal- dilutes the digestive enzymes. The diluted enzymes can not breakdown the food properly and the incomplete digested food creates a toxic stress in the intestines.

Chewing gum is like eating without any food coming into the stomach and intestines. The enzymes are secreted and the reserve of enzymes that should be building up between meals is depleted. When you do eat there is not enough enzyme reserve to digest the food properly. Digestive upset with toxic by-products from incomplete digestion is the result.

When this bad habit is done on a regular basis the organs are over worked and draw energy from the spinal muscles. The dysfunction of the spinal support sets you up for acute and chronic low back pain.

Correcting the habits of fast eating, drinking too much liquid with meals and chewing gum are necessary to get rid of the low back pain. Other treatments will help, yet will not last unless these habits are corrected.

For some people the problem may be in another weak joint or in chronic skin conditions. The energy will be pulled from the connective tissues or the skin and nerves. Different situations occur in each of us.

How do i know? 30 years of clinical experience has revealed this situation many times. Also this is information from the ancient masters about balancing the "chi" or life energy.

Postpartum Back Pain: Can Spinal Injections Cause Chronic Pain?

Many women receive spinal blocks, also called nerve blocks or spinal injections, during C-section births to relieve pain and allow them to stay alert. There is some debate over whether or not these injections can lead to chronic postpartum back pain.

Spinal blocks are administered through a long, thin needle filled with anesthetic and/or narcotics that is injected into the spine in the lower back. It is meant to numb the nerves that sense pain and send signals to and from the lower body and abdomen.

Since the injection is administered below the spinal cord, or the bundle of nerves that runs along the upper half of the spine, nerve damage is considered rare and implausible. However, internet forums are full of mothers with sciatica-like postpartum back pain who feel pain centered around the site of their injection.

It is undeniable that many women who have had C-sections experience lower back pain and sciatica pain. The question is: Is this pain related to spinal injection?

It is, unfortunately, not possible to say for sure. We have reason to believe, however, that having an injection may increase your risk of postpartum back pain, but not necessarily due to the needle itself. It is possible that the position women are put in to receive the injection is the source of pain. Some doctors put a wedge underneath one side of he buttock while the injection is administered, and this tilted position needs to be held for a few minutes. See the case study at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959289X06000501 for more information on this potential cause of post-Cesarean back pain.

Another potential culprit of pain is the position assumed after delivery. Women who have C-sections spend the following days recovering, which involves a lot of sitting. Since the abdomen has been stretched during pregnancy and injured during delivery, the abdominal muscles are not able to assist in supporting the weight of the upper body. This strains muscles in the back and hips, possibly leading to piriformis syndrome. This is characterized by tightness of the piriformis muscle deep within the buttocks that places pressure on the sciatic nerve. See a relevant case study at http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1098733904000434.

It is rare but possible that the injection caused damage to the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve damage manifests as tingling, numbness, weakness and, in extreme cases, loss of function of the lower body, bladder and bowels.

There are numerous potential causes of back pain, especially for women who have given birth. Postpartum back pain could be related to additional weight straining muscles and changing posture, the delivery itself, or spinal injection. It is important to be knowledgeable about the potential causes of your back pain; while some doctors may dismiss it as a normal aftermath of delivery, it may be abnormal and become chronic. Take pain seriously, and educate yourself on possible causes and treatments.

What Are the Lower Right Back Pain Causes?

So many people have lower back pain and most of them never find relief from it. The pain gets worse and worse, until it becomes almost unbearable. But the truth is that ever person can get pain relief and if you have pain in lower right back, then first of all you need to find out the lower back pain causes. Once you do that, then finding an effective treatment for it, is much more effective.

Lower right back pain causes

Muscle imbalancement is the main cause of lower back pain and when your muscles are out of balance, then your joints and bones are pulled out of their correct positions. This in turn places stress and uneven pressure on the bones and joints, causing pain. Even the smallest muscle imbalanement, if not treated, can lead to a serious and severe chronic pain. Usually the condition develops over a few months or even years, it is not something that occurs overnight.

There are many factors that create and contribute to muscle imbalancement. Things like how you sit, how you walk, if you exercise, what exercises you are doing, what kind of activities you are doing, what work you do etc. The first thing you must do, is find out what are your muscle imbalances and then work on eliminating them. This may seem extremely complicated and it is, if you don`t know what you are doing, but if you do your homework, then it is not hard at all.

There are many simple and effective stretching and strengthening, that can and will help you overcome lower right back pain. The key obviously is knowing what exercises you are suppose to do. You can hurt your back even more, if you do the wrong exercises or do the right exercises the wrong way. That is why I feel it is necessary for people, to get an excellent exercise video program, that shows people exactly how to do these exercises. The benefits, of doing these exercises, do not come overnight. But if you do them regularly then you will get better in just a week and in time you will completely eliminate your lower right back pain.

Axial Low Back Pain - Relief Options For Painful Lumbar Spines - Braces For Support

How is your lower back feeling these days?

Do you suffer from lower back pain that is causing you a lot of grief?

1.) Introduction to This Article

We are not here to waste your time. If you suffer from low back discomfort (whether it is axial in nature or not) then we are here to help you. This free information is the result of research on low back pain and we would like nothing better than to help you reduce your lower back discomfort as fast as possible.

2.) Axial back Pain

The most common type of lumbar axial pain is referred to as being "mechanical". Lumbar spine discomfort that typically flares up when you participate in certain activities (certain sports for example). Moreover, commonly axial lower back pain can get worse if you find your self in repetitive positions, like sitting for a long period of time.

Axial lower back pain can very widely from a sharp ache in the lower back, to a more dull pain. It may be consistent in nature or it may seem to come and go. Variation in intensity is also noted.

3.) Benefits of Conservative Treatment

Axial back pain does respond well to conservative treatment options. Yes, it is true, surgery is sometimes our only option for pain relief, but most of the time people can avoid surgery. Just ask your spine doctor what they think, and they will tell you that they would like to exhaust conservative measures first before they get you in to have surgery performed.

4.) Back Supports For Pain Relief

One very good option to get pain relief for your lower back is to use a lumbar back support. You might ask, "why?". Well, lower back supports can help people to get instant pain relief because they can help to increase intercavitary pressure in the lumbar spine area. This helps to effectively off load inflamed spinal structures. This is a well documented biomechanical principle of quality low back supports.

Moreover, back supports can help people because they will act as a reminder to you not to make certain painful movements. They can help to restrict those movements that will further your injury and in this way it can help to promote healing of a hurt lower back. - Lastly, it is important to note that current designs are light weight, low profile and can be easily concealed by using a t-shirt. - Many physicians recommend them to their patients because they are aware of the medically documented benefits of these types of supports.

What Are the Causes and Remedies for Lower Back Pain?

If someone is suffering from lower back pain, it is not surprising that they may wish to know what causes the pain and the ways in which the pain can be stopped. In many cases, it is not often possible to point out the exact cause of lower back pain. All the same, it is not important to know the cause in order to eliminate the pain effectively.

One of the most common causes of low back ache is inter-vertebral disc degeneration. This is a condition where the discs between the vertebrae are wearing out due to age. This loses the cushioning property of the discs leading to painful experiences around the back. Muscle tensions, spasms, ruptured discs and bones may also serve as the causes of low back pain. Sitting and sleeping postures are yet other suspected triggers of lower back pain. This may be as a result of strained back muscles and discussed making them experience a lot of pain.

Heavy tasks that the body is not used to performing may also serve as a pre-requisite to back ache. Compression of the spinal nerves and osteoarthritis are also other causes of low back ache. Having understood some of the major causes of lower back ache, it may require the individual to find out the ways and means of eliminating this pain in a fast and effective manner.

Low back pain treatment and relief work is a way to prevent the causes of back ache in different ways. There are some remedies that work to repair nerves and the spinal attachments. Spinal surgery and lower back fusion surgery are all part of the strategies of eliminating pain on the back bone. A decompressing therapy on the other hand is an effective way of eliminating lower back pain.

Other times, simple prescriptions of drugs may be enough to eliminate low back ache. These drugs are usually pain relievers. Acute lower back pain may be very painful and eventually will affect someone in many different ways if left untreated. The doctor is however responsible in changing their medication depending with what is ideal for a patient. The alteration by the doctor on the medication is targeted on establishing the best treatment.

Steroids and opioid analgesics are administered to a patient to help treat their low back ache. This medication is however meant for short time usage only. The medication needs to be taken as per the physician's prescriptions or under their guidance to enhance effectiveness. In case of severe and intolerable lower back pain, subcutaneous electric manipulation can be used to treat the pain. This method has proved quite effective in its functioning. Chiropractic treatment and use of zero gravity chairs are also suitable forms of treating lower back pain as they help rescue the back of the body weigh resting on it.

Overall, there are many forms of treatment to help those suffering from lower back ache. Whilst surgical treatment is primarily used for more complicated procedures, more simple problems are able to be treated using medicine and physical therapy. If the right treatment is used effectively, it can end someone's lower back pain within a short period of time.

Lower Back Pain Causes - And a Reason Not to Believe Everything the Medical Professionals Tell You

This is a personal story of how I went from having constant lower back pain that took away just about everything I worked hard for, to living a great life again and thankfully not going down the path that my doctor wanted me to go. It is not that I don't recommend seeing your doctor if you are experiencing back pain, it is important to get a medical diagnosis before doing anything else but in my experiences doctors are only willing to look at the immediate problem rather than looking at the big picture when it comes to back pain.

My back problems started in late 2005, well actually working as a motor mechanic I always had a sore back but it wasn't until this time that things became unbearable. Long story short I had to sell my business and live the grand life of a disability pensioner. Around this time I started seeing a spinal specialist who after sending me for x rays and ct scans thought that cortisone injections were what I needed for a bulging disc in the L5/S1 area.

Initially these worked well to control the pain but after half a dozen or so they were becoming ineffective. It was then suggested that I undergo a nerve block to stop the nerve sending pain signals to my brain. This prognosis did not sit well with me and I decided to have a look around before committing to such a thing.

After a considerable amount of research it became obvious to me that one common lower back pain cause that the doctors seem to be ignoring is the effect that muscle imbalances can have on your spine. Many therapists of varying disciplines where saying much the same thing, if muscle imbalances are not treated early and in the correct manner, they can be the cause of disc and vertebrae issues and can contribute to the onset of sciatic nerve pain.

This surprised me as from what the doctors where telling me I understood back pain to be caused by a structural problem with the spine, after all it certainly did not feel like muscle pain! What I did learn was that my problems had probably started off as a muscle imbalance, which would explain the sore back after bending over a car all day, and had more than likely progressed to the disc problem I was now facing.

In the end I decided that I would give this muscle imbalance thing a go as I wasn't keen on back surgery of any kind and after first identifying my trouble areas and following the exercise and stretching routine that dealt with these areas I can honestly say that it was the best thing that I ever did. Simple stretching and exercises are all that it has taken for me to be able to live a good life again.

I will never be able to go 'back to the tools' and I do still have bad days if I am not careful with what I do but for all intents and purposes I am a functional human being again. Unfortunately with back pain there is no magic cure or magic pill that you can take and finding relief does take some work but once you get there you will feel like a different person and that feeling is great!

My Lower Back Hurts When I Walk, Jog or Run - Help Control The Pain Without Surgery - Real Methods

Do you have pain in your back when you run?

Is it there before and after the run as well?

1.) A Common Back Problem

Lower back pain is fairly common in most individuals at some point in their life. It seems to be a common ailment that changes the way people live, when you have it. However, if you have felt this pain when they are running or exercising the cause may be more serious. If you ever wondered how or why you lower back hurts when you run there could be several important reasons why. This article can not diagnose your pain, but it can help you to know valuable treatment options that can help you reduce and control the pain. Read on for more information that can really help you.

2.) Haulting Your Exercise Routine - Back Pain

If having lower back pain has stopped your daily exercise or routine, than you can find out how to get back on track and start enjoying your workout again. If you are experience lower back issues when you run, the important thing is not necessarily to stop exercising, but find a way where you can enjoy jogging and not have lower back issues (obviously, it is a good idea to make sure your doctor is fine with you exercising first).

One of the reasons that individuals' lower back hurts when they run is not stretching before going for a run or jog. The most important muscles to stretch before exercising are your neck, the core of your body, and your knees and legs. By stretching your whole body by touching your toes, you will help prevent soreness in your lower back (unless you have a fracture or herniated disc).

3.) Some Common Sense Ideas When Running

Using padded insoles for your shoes have known to prevent some back issues. Investing in good running shoes can be a wise move. Different running shoes are made for different surfaces; meaning if you are running on pavement track, or even grass you might want to try a different shoe brand that is meant for running on that particular surface. One simple issue that could be the reason is that you are pushing yourself too much in your run. Try running about half as long as you did when your lower back pain started flaring up and seeing if this makes a difference. If after trying all these methods and your pain does not decrease, you may wish to consult a doctor.

4.) Back Support

Chances are that your back does not just start hurting as a result of running every time. You may have this pain before and after a run as well. If this is the case, then you will want to consider using a lower back support in many of your daily activities. Why? You may have thought, I will never where one of those things! However, you will be shocked at how they can help to provide support, remain hidden to others if you wear a t-shirt, and can help reduce your pain rather quickly. They can also help facilitate the healing process for you because they will remind you not to make movements that will hurt you, or further your injury level. This is key and a back brace can be a great asset to you, in this way alone!

Note: When getting a back support make sure to visit your local, licensed orthotist. These individuals are brace specialists and can bill your insurance for the brace as well. They are the ones that should provide you with medical advice on bracing.

Types of Back Pain and Mattresses That Can Help

In regards to your health, the most important piece of furniture you own is your mattress. You spend approximately one third of your life in bed. An uncomfortable mattress can have a negative effect on the quantity and quality of your sleep. This is especially the case for millions of back pain sufferers who have been ill advised over the last several decades that a firm mattress is best for them. In actuality there are several factors to consider when choosing the best mattress for you, including: the type of back problem you are experiencing, your sleep position, mattress support, and your comfort preference.

Different types of mattresses help alleviate pain for different types of back problems and symptoms. People with lumbar disc problems have symptoms that include a shooting pain in one leg from the top of the buttock to the lower leg or foot accompanied by numbness, the feeling of "pins and needles", or leg weakening. Those suffering from this condition would benefit from a firm mattress as a bending or flexing mattress can be very uncomfortable.

Sufferers of spinal stenosis experience pain, cramping or numbness in the back, legs, arms, and shoulders and function better in a flexed or loose position. Therefore, a slightly softer mattress works better for them. The most common back pain complaint is lower back pain. Usually people experience an aching dull pain in the center of the lower back. A clinical study out of Spain showed that a medium firm mattress is generally better at relieving chronic back pain than a firmer model. However, there isn't one single style of mattress that works best for everyone with lower back pain.

In conjunction with the type of back pain you suffer from, another factor to consider is the position in which you sleep. If you have a lumbar disc problem then sleeping on your stomach with a flat pillow under your stomach and hips is probably the most comfortable position for you because it reduces stress on the degenerated disc in your lower back. A firmer mattress is best for sleeping on your stomach while a softer mattress will cause an uncomfortable arch in your back that will worsen your condition.

People with spinal stenosis are most comfortable sleeping on their side in the fetal position with a pillow between their knees. A medium firm or firm mattress is good for this sleeping position but most people prefer a thicker padding to reduce pressure on their hips and shoulders. Finally, those suffering from lower back pain should sleep lying on their back with a pillow under their knees to relieve pressure from the lower back. There is no single mattress style that works for all people with back pain, but people with lower back pain should choose a mattress that offers support, comfort, and ultimately, a good night's sleep.

Another major factor in choosing a mattress is the support that mattress provides. A supportive mattress will offer the right balance of support and concavity in order to allow the spine to align naturally. There are several components of the mattress that contribute to how supportive a mattress set is. First, mattress springs and coils are the most important features of a mattress that provide back support. The coil gauge of mattress denotes how stiff or firm a mattress is. The lower the gauge of the coil, the thicker and stiffer the wire, thus, the firmer the mattress. Furthermore, the higher the coil count of a mattress, the better the quality. However, a higher coil count does not necessarily mean a more comfortable or supportive mattress.

The next component of a mattress set that affects back support is the foundation, or boxspring. The foundation/boxspring absorbs weight for the mattress. It is important to purchase the boxspring designed to match your mattress because manufacturers design both pieces to work together. A mismatched set may adversely affect the longevity of your mattress and the level of support the mattress provides.

Finally, the most important key to mattress buying is to buy what is comfortable for you. No two of us are the same when it comes to what we need from our mattress. Therefore, it is important to take time to actually try the mattress out, especially if you suffer from chronic back problems. It is suggested that you spend at least ten minutes on several different mattresses. Turn over from side to side and make sure that mattress provides enough support to allow the spine to rest in its natural state. The mattress quilt and just beneath the quilt, in the middle of mattress, consist of mattress padding made of polyurethane foams, puffed up polyester, and cotton batting. These materials affect the firmness of the mattress. Generally, people find that mattresses with more padding are more comfortable.

Overall, when choosing a mattress, consider all of the factors mentioned above. Ultimately, the best mattress for your back pain is the one you find most comfortable for you and your sleep preferences.

Back Pain Constipation: How to Treat It and Get Instant Relief

Do you think that your back pain is brought on by chronic constipation? Do you consistently strain at the loo? Do you have to keep pushing until the pain gets unbearable? Well, chances are that constipation may be part of the problem.

Research has shown that apart from constipation, there could also be an underlying cause of the pain. In this article we'll be looking at the relationship between back pain and constipation. I'll also show you what you can do to not only cure the constipation, but also the back pain and its underlying causes -if any.

Constipation is a common condition that affects millions of people annually. It is a major cause of discomfort and back pain and constipation. This can be rather frustrating, painful and debilitating.

Back pain and constipation are caused by many factors. Chief among the factors is the impaction of feces resulting in an overloaded intestine. When an individual aches in the back and has constipation at the same time, it's mostly because of the weight and pressure of the overloaded intestine on the lower back. This often occurs among adults because of their eating habits and lifestyle.

Recent estimates and stats have shown that next to cold and flu, most people visit their physicians because they have aches in different parts of the body. While it is normal to develop aches -particularly back aches- after a stressful physical workout or hectic day, back aches can often be as a result of constipation. Other causes of aches in the back could be stress, excessive walking, degenerative, disc disease, stair climbing, bending, heavy lifting and standing for long periods.

If the above mentioned are not a common part of your daily activities and you are constipating, chances are that you are having a bout of back pain and constipation. Straining hard to pass stool can cause an ache in the lower back. This ache happens because the anus is inflamed and because of the stress put on it when trying to defecate.

Kids are also known suffer from these problems. Parents have been known to take their kids to the doctor to help diagnose an ache only to find that the kid is suffering from pain caused by straining the anal sphincter and nerves. When left untreated, it can be so strong that it weakens the individual.

How Do You Know that Your Back Pain is Caused by Constipation?

Look for the following symptoms. If they are present, then you sure have got it.

Consistent pain which doesn't ease off even when you're lying down.

The pain becomes more intense when you're trying to poop.

It doesn't just remain in the lower back. It extends to the upper region of the back.

The intensity gradually increases regardless of what pain relief medications you may have taken.

Loss of appetite and nauseous feeling.

Numbness and weakness in the legs, buttocks and feet.

Inability to pass feces and intense pressure on the bladder.

What Can You Do?

They can be treated using various methods. You can opt for pain relievers and laxatives. It is important however to know that pain killers and laxatives or enemas don't mix. However, a meal consisting of a large bowl of All-Bran combined with a tablespoon of oat bran for breakfast, lots of vegetables, whole meal bread and lots of water can work wonders. Others recommend thyroxine as being very efficient.

Your Job and Low Back Pain: The Occupational Factors Affecting Your Health

A common misconception about work-related injury is that it only happens in jobs that require heavy manual labor, like construction and freight handling. The truth is that there are so many factors affecting the musculoskeletal system that nearly every occupation poses some risk of injury. The correlation between musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and the workplace is so significant that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) devoted nearly 600 pages to examine the epidemiologic evidence of this relationship. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most non-fatal injuries are a result of overexertion (pushing, pulling, lifting, holding, carrying, turning) and/or repetitive motion. These injuries occur in several body structures. Here we'll focus on the low back: what occupational factors contribute to the risk of low back injury?

The most frequently reported back injuries are strains, sprains, disc herniation, joint inflammation, contusions, and sciatic issues. Low back pain can be chronic or acute and may be felt in the lumbar, gluteal, upper leg, or sciatic regions. MSDs may originate in the muscle, ligament, joint, disc, or nerve. These injuries are not always the result of one specific incident; commonly, the body wears down from physical factors over time, creating weakness and vulnerability in the structures of the body. Activity at home contributes to this wearing; however, physical factors on the job make the most significant impact on structural health.

Specifically, back pain and injury from occupational stress are a result of different "forces" applied to the spine. These include bending (or rotation), compression (stress applied perpendicular to the spine), or shear force (stress applied parallel to spine.) The amount of stress imposed on the spine depends on the weight of the object lifted, how the worker handles his body, and how the spine moves during activity. Injury occurs when these factors create forces that surpass capabilities of the discs and supporting tissues recruited to counteract these movements.

NIOSH's study focused on 5 common factors that create these loading forces on the spine. They found significant associations between injury and all of the following occupational elements amongst many jobs:

• Heavy physical work - nursing, personal care, air transportation, construction, etc. This is the most obvious correlation between work and injury. Note that disc degeneration happens at an earlier age in people who engage in regular heavy physical work.


• Lifting and forceful movements - auto workers, electronics manufacturing, hospital employees, nursing aids, baggage handlers, manual materials handlers, etc. Industries that rank the highest in time-loss injuries here are nursing and personal care facilities.


• Bending and twisting (awkward postures) - jobs identified include those listed previously. These movements are closely related to sciatic pain symptoms and slipped discs, especially when combined with lifting.


• Whole body vibration (WBV) - bus drivers, tractor drivers, fork-lift operators, etc. These vibrations fatigue the tissues around the spine and may cause disc fiber strain and disc herniation amongst other problems. WBV may cause lower back instability that can make the body more prone to other injury.


• Static work postures - crane operators, etc. This is experienced in jobs where workers sustain cramped or inactive postures. It is found that disc pressure is greater in unsupported seated positions than in standing.

Looking at the factors contributing to back pain, it is clear that a huge variety of workers are incurring some kind of physical trauma every day. By compromising the structure of the body, not only is injury more likely, but also product damage and other costly consequences of time-loss MSDs. Understanding spinal loading can improve work conditions by allowing a true assessment of what can be done to minimize risk of injury. Whether this involves ergonomic restructuring, manual handling aids, safety training, or any other form of prevention, minimizing MSDs benefits both company and employee. For more information on self care to prevent injury on the job, see the article, "Preventing Injury in Manual Material Handling: Uncommon Common Sense."

Lower Back Pain - Associated With Fast Bowling in Cricket

An Overview of Lower Back Pain in Fast Bowlers in Cricket

Cricket is one of the oldest sports known to mankind. With the advent of one day cricket in the mid 1970s and twenty 20 cricket in the early 2000s, its popularity has soared immensely. However, due to the staggering number of international matches being played now-a-days, there is a need to focus on prevention and management of injuries to players.

Epidemiology of lower back pain in cricket

Previous research has reported that lower back injuries occur in up to 60% of cricketers. The reasons attributed have been inadequate pre-season physical and psychological preparation, rapid escalation in training frequency, improper biomechanical aspects of fast bowling, duration of bowling spells and the overall work load in the season.

A longitudinal study carried out in South Africa found that bowling (41%) accounted for most of the injuries in cricket. Lower back pain and injuries in fast bowlers Fast bowlers are at particular risk of lower back pain and injuries compared to spin bowlers, batsmen and wicket keepers. Concomitant hyperextension of lumbar spine and rotation of the thoracic spine in fast bowling places a significant amount of stress on the lumbar spine. This causes injuries to the bones, joints, ligaments and muscles in and around the lumbar spine with resultant back pain. Pain is gradual in onset and is characteristically described as the 'crescendo-type' of pain, i.e. occurring at the end of day's play initially, then earlier the next time around and so on. Typically, it is sore when the player bends backwards especially if standing on one leg.

Risk Factors for injury to fast bowlers

Traditionally, fast bowling lower back injuries have been thought to occur due to hereditary factors, lack of proper technique, poor physical conditioning, and lack of pre-season preparation. There are two distinct actions by which pace bowlers deliver a cricket ball, side-on and the front on. These are defined in terms of the attitude of the feet, the non bowling arm, the shoulders, upper torso and the follow through. A third kind of action involves some features of either of these actions. The biggest disadvantage of mixed action is that it involves greater rotation of the shoulders to realign with the rest of the body.

Treatment

In most cases, complete rest from the sport is the treatment of choice. During this time, a progressive rehabilitation program to strengthen the structures supporting the lower back should be undertaken. Improving trunk core stability and flexibility is also undertaken. Use of a brace while bowling to support the back is also quite helpful. Surgical intervention is rarely required. Subtle modifications to the bowler's actions can be undertaken to reduce the stresses on the vertebrae.

Summary

The mechanisms underlying lower back pain need to be investigated further. Designing preventive interventions and proper management of fast bowlers from the early years may go a long way in allowing them in pursuing 'pain free' careers.

Low Back Pain, Sciatica and the Hamstring Muscles

Muscles play a crucial part in the normal functioning of the lower back and sciatic nerve. If any of the muscles in this area become too tight or too weak, they have the potential to cause pain. This is typically referred to as muscle imbalance. The hamstring muscles are a common culprit for this and it is usually tightness which is the problem.

In a similar vein to which I have mentioned in an article on the piriformis muscle ("Low Back Pain & Sciatica - The Role of the Piriformis Muscle") tight hamstring muscles can also have an influence over the lower back, sacro-iliac joint and sciatic nerve.

Low Back Pain

With regards to the lower back, the hamstring muscles are attached to the bottom of the pelvis, in a similar area to the bony points of your buttock you sit on. If this muscle is tight, it will pull on the bottom of the pelvis and encourage it to rotate backwards. If there is also tightness around the low back itself, this backwards rotation movement of the pelvis will be resisted by the back and therefore the increased stress will be taken up in and around the bottom of the lower back or the sacro-iliac joint. This increased stress is likely to lead to pain.

Alternatively, if there is no particular tightness about the lower back and maybe even some weakness, the increased pull resulting from the tight hamstrings may well encourage the lower back to flex too much, this time potentially leading to literally from the lower back pain as opposed to sacro-iliac joint. Either way, pain in the region of the lower back can occur as a result of tight hamstring muscles.

Sciatica

It is slightly different as far as sciatica is concerned. The sciatic nerve is formed from 5 nerve roots which leave the lower back from the lumbar spine and sacrum. Once formed, the sciatic nerve passes through the buttock region and down the back of the leg to the back of the knee. As it passes down the back of the leg, the sciatic nerve also passes through the hamstring muscles. Consequently, if the hamstring muscles are tight, they can place increased stress upon the sciatic nerve, leading to pain.

In either of the above examples, the aim of treatment is to gently stretch the hamstring muscles in order to relieve the stress being placed across the low back, sacro-iliac joint or sciatic nerve.

There are numerous ways of stretching the hamstring muscles. I shall now describe a very gentle way of stretching them. Only when you feel that this stretch is too easy, should you consider progressing on with more aggressive stretches.

While lying on your back with your knees bent, gently hold behind the knee of the side to be stretched and pull your knee towards your chest, stopping when your knee is pointing directly up towards the ceiling.

When in this position, gently straighten the same knee so that your lower leg begins to point towards the ceiling as well.

NB If your hamstrings are tight, you will not be able to get your foot to point towards the ceiling!

As you are doing this, stop as soon as you begin to feel a stretching sensation at the back of your leg.

Hold: approximately 20-30 seconds.

Repeat: 2-3 times.

Repeat: 2-3 times per day.

As you begin to gently stretch the hamstring muscle it will become more supple. This will result in tension being taken from the lower back, sacro-iliac joint and hamstring muscles, which in turn will encourage correct function of these areas, therefore healing will take place. As a result, your pain will also begin to resolve.

Be careful when performing this stretch, as it is important you do not allow your back to flatten too much into the floor/surface you are lying on. A simple way to prevent this is to keep your low back in a neutral position and then gently tighten your abdominal muscles.

The abdominal muscles play an important role with regards to stability of the lower back and associated structures, and therefore by gently working these while performing this exercise, you will be helping to provide your lower back and pelvis with more stability as well.

It is unlikely, although not impossible, that your low back pain will resolve as a result of performing hamstring stretches alone. The chances are however, that you may need to perform one or two other exercises as well, be they stretching or strengthening exercises.

The Three Worst Exercises For Low Back Pain

Three of the most common exercises purported to reduce back pain actually can cause more harm than good. In fact, some of these exercises are downright dangerous. Given the frequency with which these harmful exercises are prescribed, it is not surprising that most people experience back pain at some point in their life and typical medical treatment is not effective for reducing the pain.

The first harmful exercise is the "Superman", which involves laying down on your stomach and lifting up your arms and legs. This causes a strong contraction in the lower back.

The primary reason that this exercise is dangerous is that any time you hyper-extend your spine, the facet joints (one of the joints between adjacent vertebrae) are compressed in a compromising position. The facet joints are incredibly sensitive and often the site of many people's back pain.

Adding a muscular contraction in this position can result in forces in excess of 6000 Newtons (a Newton is a unit of force). To get an idea of what this type of force means, the NIOSH, which is a safety organization run by the American government, states that the maximum allowable force in the workplace is 6700 Newtons.

The "Superman" exercise approaches the maximum safe level of force spinal compression in a hyper-extended (compromised) position, making this exercise a true spine destroyer.

The deceptive thing about this exercise is that usually motion (of any kind) provides relief at first, so this exercise might temporarily reduce pain. However, given the damage it can cause to the facet joints, this exercise is bound to increase back pain levels over time.

The second harmful exercise is the crunch or sit-up. It does not matter whether or not this exercise is performed with the knees bent, straight, as a full sit-up, just a crunch, or on a Swiss ball; this exercise will inevitably cause damage to the spine.

This is counter-intuitive as the popular belief is that increasing "core" strength will reduce back pain. The truth is that increasing abdominal strength is not associated with back pain at all (however, muscular endurance does protect against back pain).

The problem with the crunch is that lab research has discovered that the easiest way to herniate a disc is to repetitively perform flexion (flexing) to extension (straightening back to normal) movements (a crunch involves flexing then extending the spine repeatedly).

As a result, performing crunches can increase disc wear and tear in addition to ultimately creating or worsening herniated discs.

The final exercise is the side-crunch. This exercise for the obliques involves holding a dumbbell or weight in the hand and then bending down to the side and back up. This is bad for the back for the same reasons that a crunch is: repeatedly flexing and extending (straightening) the spine is liable to herniate a disc.

Can Alcohol Help Your Back Pain?

A lot of people report that they feel more relaxed or numb once the "buzz" of a few drinks hits their system. But does this mean that alcohol can help relieve back pain? Others report that they actually experience an increase in back pain when they enjoy an alcoholic beverage. What's really going on here?

To be honest, it really depends on what the cause of your back pain is. If the pain is due to a tense or contracted muscle that is putting pressure on the Sciatic nerve, for example, drinking alcohol may actually help.

For example, I used to suffer from Piriformis syndrome, which is a tense muscle in the pelvis that cause pain by crushing the Sciatic nerve. I found that an occasional drink would actually help to relax the muscles in my body and release the tension in my Pirifomris.

Now, this isn't an excuse to abuse alcohol. If you are suffering from pain caused by muscle tension, then you need to address this by naturally loosening the muscles and releasing the tension. The best way to do this is by stretching out the muscles and helping them to relax.

Relying on alcohol to treat back pain in this way is like using painkillers to treat back pain. You don't really deal with the underlying problem, you are just temporarily getting rid of the pain. Never use alcohol as a "solution" to your back pain problem.

However, some people also complain of back pain that occurs when they drink alcohol.

Alcohol can also cause inflammation in your body too, which in turn can promote back pain. In this way, alcohol can be a double edged sword. On one hand, it can help to relax muscles, but at the same time, it may promote inflammation.

The story doesn't end there though.

Now, I'm not a medical professional, so you should probably talk to your doctor about this. However, I do know that people can develop kidney stones which can cause pain like this.

Your kidneys are located in your lower torso and pain in your kidneys can easily be mistaken for a general pain in your back.

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which means that it makes you have to urinate. When this happens, your kidneys produce more urine. But if there is an obstruction in your kidneys such as a kidney stone that might interfere with the production of urine, then you could experience pain.

If this is the cause of your pain, then other fluids such as coffee should also cause back pain to present itself.

There could be other causes to your pain as well. It can be difficult to diagnose the cause of back pain without knowing more about you and your lifestyle and overall health. It is important to seek the advice of your doctor to get a better understanding about what is behind the pain. Again, alcohol should not be used as a way to treat pain or to cope with any sort of health condition you may be suffering from.

The Most Effective Lower Back Exercises To Relieve Back Pain

Despite what you might think, rarely is the cause of lower back pain at the site where it hurts. Most people and their therapists think it is. That's why they want to heat, rub, crunch, vibrate and slice the spot where it is most painful.

In fact you can tell how good a therapist is by watching where they go in the search for the cause of the pain. Just attacking the spot where it hurts sends out a big amber light.

Surprisingly, lower back pain is a merely a symptom that some of the bones in your lower back are out of alignment. Your immediate task is to get them back in alignment. Do that and there's a good chance the pain will go away.

When the vertebrae move out of alignment, ligaments, tendons and muscles are stretched beyond their pain threshold. The nucleus of discs is squeezed out and the disc collapses. Often the nucleus hits the spinal cord. That's when the pain really starts. You can't sneeze or cough without it feeling like there's a red hot poker being jammed into your back. You can't bend over the basin to brush your teeth. You can't bend down to put your socks on.

So what causes the vertebrae in your lower back to move out of alignment?

Answer! If the pelvis has moved out of alignment, it's highly likely the bones above it have moved out of alignment as well.

Treat the pelvis as the foundation for the bones that are above it and consider this analogy. If the foundation of your house moves then the walls will crack. You can patch up or paper over the cracks, but you'll probably have to continue to keep patching and papering until kingdom come. The solution is to underpin (and square up) the foundation so it can't move.

So the precondition for a spinal column that's in alignment is a pelvis that's in alignment.

So what causes the pelvis to move out of alignment?

Answer! Tight calf, hamstring, buttock and hip flexor muscles.

Which brings us back to the question of what are the best exercises to relieve lower back pain?

Answer! Flexibility exercises that impact on the alignment of the pelvis, particularly exercises that loosen off tight calf, hamstring, buttock and hip flexor muscles.

But that's not the full story. You also need to strengthen the whole musculo-skeletal ecosystem by regularly going to the gym and working out - or if you're averse to lifting weights start on a regular and systematic strength training program at home that includes situps, pressups, squats and the Superman back arch.

It makes sense to have a body strong enough to keep the bones of your spinal column in correct alignment.

Interestingly one of the best predictors of risk of lower back pain is the ability to do pressups. While you're doing pressups the muscles of your trunk are all being strengthened, front, back and core.

If you're looking for targets for situps, pressups and squats, 20 of each is good, 30 is better and 40 is best. Build the Superman back arch up to a couple of minutes of gentle ups and downs without your chest or legs touching the floor.

The last piece of the lower back exercise jigsaw is some relaxing exercises to settle the spinal column down, exercises where you lie on your back with both legs bent at 90 degrees and the lower legs supported by an ottoman. This is known in the trade as the static back exercise and lying in this position for 20 minutes will bring temporary relief from back pain, and over the weeks and months assist the vertebrae to gradually get back into better alignment.

Another relaxing posture using the ottoman is lying on the floor with one leg on the ottoman and the other outstretched on the flood for 20 minutes - then change legs. This is the supine groin stretch. Over 20 minutes the hip flexor muscles will gradually relax and over the weeks and months allow your vertebrae to move back into better alignment.

If you're diligent you'll spend a couple of hours on the floor each evening while you watch TV, read a book or just drift off with the faeries doing the flexibility exercises and the relaxation exercises.

The strength exercises you can do after you've been for a walk, shuffle, jog, swim, cycle... in the morning.

Now just as Rome wasn't built in a day, your lower back pain wasn't caused in a day. For most people it happens over decades, due to a poor sitting posture and lack of strength and flexibility exercises. Being 20 or more Kg over weight doesn't help matters.

Neither will back pain be cured in a day. Depending on how far out of alignment your pelvis and the bones above it are, it may take a couple of months for you to experience real relief and up to a year before you can say, 'I no longer have lower back pain.'

But the good news is that if you start doing something now, there's an 80% chance for 80% of people that they will get themselves back to 80% of good nick within a year. If you've got back pain them's good odds.

In the meantime stay tuned, highly tuned and make an immediate start on a serious strength and flexibility training program.

Common Lower Back Pain Causes

Back pain can have a massive impact on our life, preventing us from working, playing or doing the basic functions of everyday life. Most of us will suffer from this at least once in our life, especially lower back pain, the most common type of back problem. We will look at the lower spinal pain causes and identify some prevention methods.

Common Lower Back pain causes:

1. Back Muscle Strain

Straining a muscle in your back is a very common injury and lower back pain causes. The injury can occur through the overuse of muscles or ligaments, whether from work, sport or any physical activity. This is also a typical lifting injury with many people suffering from a muscle strain in the lower spine area from lifting a very heavy object or twisting awkwardly while lifting.

2. Degenerative disc disease

Although degenerative disc disease normally affects elderly people, it can also affect younger people, as young as 20. The disease causes the vertebrae discs to start to decay and break down, putting more pressure on the spine and causing inflammation. It is the inflammation from degenerative disc disease that causes the most pain, causing sciatica and compressed nerve roots.

3. Pressure on nerve roots

There are many different conditions that can result in additional pressure on the nerve roots in the lower spine area. Pressure on the nerve roots can be very painful and debilitating. With many back injuries rest is needed but with injuries that conditions that causes compressed nerve roots, it is normally associated with other back injuries such as a herniated disc, osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis.

4. Spinal deformities

Although not as common as the above causes of back pain, there are many spinal deformities that can bring on lower pain. Causes such as scoliosis can result in extreme curvature of the spine and can be very painful.

5. Compression fractures.

Compression fractures can be very painful and can be caused by trauma, osteoporosis or cancer that has spread to the bone. A compression fracture resulting from a trauma can heal very well but also depend on if there are any underlying issues. With people suffering from osteoporosis, the general weakness in the bones can cause many back issues that are very painful.

6. Slipped disc

Pressure on the lower vertebrae can cause a rupture or bulge of one of the vertebral discs. The bulging disc tends to push cartilage towards the spinal cord nerves, pressing against them and causing intense pain.

Stop Your Lower Back From Hurting - 3 Simple Exercises to Instantly Stop Feeling Pain Back There!

Don't let your back pain spoil your day! There are plenty of ways for you to get instant relief from the pain, even without taking any painkillers. All you have to do is make a little bit of space and start doing some simple exercises to loosen up your muscles. And that should be enough to stop your lower back from hurting and get you started to enjoy the rest of your day!

These exercises below work well to get the blood moving in your body, release the endorphins, and throw the pain in your back away, at least for the time being:

1. Knee Bends

Use a chair, desk, or table for support. Place your hands on the support, then slowly bend your knees to lower yourself as much as you can comfortably go. Remember to exhale while doing so. Then slowly bring yourself to stand back upright while inhaling. Do this motion for 10 times.

2. Waist Twist

Stand with your legs slightly apart. Let your arms fall loose to your sides. Then, gently swing your arms left and right, letting your hands pat the lower part of your back each time they reach around. This will gently massage your kidneys. Do this motion for about 10 times also.

3. Hip Roll

Remain standing with your legs shoulder-width apart. Tighten up your stomach muscles and place your hands on your hips. Imagine you are playing the hula and just start rotating your hips 5 times clockwise and 5 times anti-clockwise.

How do you feel now? You should no longer feel the pain in your lower back after doing these exercises properly, and be able to get on with your daily activities as usual now!

But don't get me wrong here...

These exercises are not meant to PERMANENTLY stop your lower back from hurting. Once you have regained mobility and flexibility after doing the exercises, you should definitely look into finding what is the root cause of your back pain, and how to get rid of it altogether in order to enjoy life to the fullest, for good!

Causes Of Lower Back And Hip Pain

Generally, when an individual experiences pain in the lower back area, they may also complain of pain in the hip area. It is actually quite common for complaints of both areas to go hand in hand. While this may not appear to be a serious situation, for the individual that experiences it, it is a challenge that they constantly strive to overcome. Not only does the pain hinder the individual's quality of life, but it also limits their range of mobility. Here, we will review some of the common causes of lower back pain and hip pain.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain with Hip Pain

There are many different medical conditions and diseases that can result in lower back pain and hip pain. Before you are able to treat this problem, it is important that you identify the possible causes of the issue. Listed below are some of the most common causes:

1. Sciatica is a complication that affects the sciatic nerve that is located in the back, and then runs down the length of the leg. When this nerve becomes jeopardized in any way, such as pinched, it may result in pain that runs from the back all the way down the legs.

2. Injuries or overexertion to the muscles that are located throughout the back may result in pain that is localized to the lower back, as well as the hips. As a matter of fact, if certain muscles in the back become tired and/or injured, it is possible to feel pain in numerous places in the body. If you are not getting enough rest, work in a job that is physical based, or have recently experienced an injury, your pain may be a result of muscle pain.

3. If you have one of the many arthritic conditions - there are hundreds- you may suffer from pain in the areas of the lower side of the back, as well as in the hip. There are many different types of joints and muscles that are in this area. Arthritis can result in inflammation and swelling throughout the joints and connective tissues in the body.

4. If a particular muscle in the back, which is called "Piriformis" presses down on the nerves and muscles in the back, it may result in a lot of discomfort.

There are many, many different types of complications that may result in back pain in the lower section, as well as hip pain. If you are looking to seek a resolution to your pain, it is imperative that you first work to uncover the underlying cause of the discomfort. There are many home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications that can be used to provide relief with this type of pain. If you are interested in seeking out a solution that can help you enjoy life, with no pain, it is important to discuss the options that you have with a medical professional.

When you arrive at your appointment with a doctor, you should expect to have a few tests conducted. These tests are important because it will allow the doctor to know exactly what it is that is resulting in pain. You may have to have x-rays conducted, or even a MRI. Once the doctor locates the cause for concern, you will receive information on what treatments are most effective for lower back pain and hip pain.

The Truth About What Causes Lower Back Pain

When it comes to the causes of lower back pain, one of the first things to keep in mind is that in most cases you're dealing with a fitness problem, not a medical problem.

If you've got lower back pain it's highly likely it's caused by a lack of strength and flexibility. Weak and tight muscles have allowed bones to move out of alignment, putting pressure on ligaments, tensions, muscles, discs and joints.

The medical industry writes prescriptions because it doesn't have a clue what causes lower back pain. Rarely will a doctor check to see how strong and flexible you are, test whether your body is out of alignment or prescribe a set of strength and flexibility exercises that will get you back in better alignment.

You are probably aware that back pain is not caused by a lack of Celebrex and yet for millions of people that's all they end up with after a visit to their doctor. This is junk medicine, dedicated to symptom masking not the restoration of poor function to good.

You might be given the only exercise they teach in medical school - bringing your knees up to your chest. It might provide temporary relief but won't fix the underlying causes of the problem.

You need a different technology, a fitness-based technology.

Question: what's the underlying problem?

Answer: bones that are out of alignment.

Question: what causes bones to move out of alignment?

Answer: weak and tight muscles somewhere in your body.

Question: which muscles are weak?

Answer: probably most of the muscles in your body. If you don't have a regular and systematic strength training program, gradually muscles become weaker and can't support the body in correct alignment. Certainly you need to strengthen trunk muscles - front, back and core, but your best bet is to embark on a good, general, all-round strength training program for your body - at home and at the gym.

What about tight muscles? When muscles become tight they pull bones out of alignment. That's the bad news. The good news is that once you loosen the tight muscles there's a good chance the bones will move back into alignment.

Question: which muscles need loosening off?

Answer: any muscles attached to your pelvis and lumber vertebrae, but particularly hamstring, buttock and hip flexor muscles. These are the muscles most likely to move your pelvis out of alignment. When that happens the bones above it move out of alignment. The symptom, back pain.

What you've got to do is focus on treating the underlying cause not the symptom.

The musculo-skeletal ecosystem

If you treat your body as a musculo-skeletal ecosystem and start loosening the tight muscles and strengthening the weak muscles, gradually over the days, weeks and months you'll move bones back into better alignment. As you become stronger you'll be able to support your body in better alignment.

This is the real primary health care for joint and muscle pain. Any other therapy is complementary to this process, whether it be rubbing, crunching, heating, vibrating or doping.

In a nutshell, if you start doing the strength and flexibility exercises you need to do to get your bones back in better alignment, there's a good chance your pain will go away. Doing nothing is not an option. Neither is simply masking the pain. You want to get better, not worse.

In the meantime stay tuned, highly tuned and if you're experiencing joint and muscles pain, start doing the exercises.

Regards and best wishes for a pain free life

John Miller

Low Back Pain and Sciatica - Will Massage Help?

Massage is a very commonly associated treatment for those suffering with Low Back Pain or Sciatica. However, how much of a role does it play with regards to getting to the cause of the problem?

I have been a physiotherapist for over 13 years now, and although I started out using treatments such as electrotherapy, mobilisations & manipulation, my emphasis now is very hands off.

This is because the majority of low back pain and sciatica problems are caused by muscle imbalances along with how we carry out our day-to-day activities (which themselves can lead to muscle imbalances and vice versa).

Therefore, the aim of treatment should not be about applying electrical devices simply to reduce inflammation or pain messages to the brain (that's assuming these devices can achieve that anyway) or loosening up tight joints with mobilisations or manipulation, but rather addressing the cause of the problem which is resulting in the inflammation, pain and stiff joints in the first place. This is achieved by addressing any incorrect movement patterns which may have been adopted during day-to-day activities, along with an appropriate stretching and strengthening exercise programme.

What about massage?

If there are tight muscles or other soft tissues present, placing increased stresses across the low back and sciatic nerve, this will definitely be a potential cause of pain. Consequently, having a massage for those tight soft tissues will definitely help relieve the pain and tension present. However, if that is all that is done and the cause as to why these muscles and soft tissues are tight in the first place is not addressed, it is likely the pain will return sooner rather than later.

So am I suggesting that massage is not appropriate, as it does not address the cause of the problem?

Absolutely not. Massage, without doubt, can play an important role in the rehabilitation of low back pain & sciatica. It is probably the only 'hands on' treatment I use. The difference is, I use it in conjunction with an appropriate stretching and strengthening exercise programme, along with addressing any day-to-day activities or bad habits which may also be contributing to the pain. I would never use it on its own as a treatment technique.

Therefore, if you are suffering with low back pain or sciatica and considering having some massage as treatment, my advice would be go for it, as long as you do not use it in isolation. It is important you also aim to address any muscle imbalance which may be present. Unless you do this, it is likely any relief you get will only be temporary.

Finally, it is crucial I mention one last thing. I would never carry out massage on someone who was in the acute inflammatory stage of low back pain or sciatica, where even the slightest of movements hurt and the subsequent increase in pain hangs around for some time. (I often use the analogy here of if you were to hit your thumb with a hammer and how sensitive your thumb would be afterwards!) If you were to have someone massaging your back during this phase, the chances are the only thing which will be achieved is increased pain & inflammation.

Back Pain after Shoulder Surgery - A Problem After A Problem

There are a lot of people that experience back pain after shoulder surgery and it can be so severe that it causes them to be unable to sleep for whole of the night. Of course, this may be an out-of-the-way case nevertheless it has been found to have an effect on a number of persons. The reason may lie in muscular problems though it may also occur after undergoing shoulder surgery. It can be so brutal that even taking medications as well as using heating pads may prove useless in treating the situation.

After a shoulder surgery you might expect that your whole trouble has come to an end but this is not true always. Sometimes you might experience back pain after shoulder surgery and in some cases there may be reappearance of your past back pain, which may no doubt be less than prior to having had the surgery, but is present nevertheless.

Steps You Need To Take In curing Back Pain after Shoulder Surgery:

After you had your shoulder surgery if you are still experiencing pain then you might be thinking that What should you do? The first thing you ought to do is talk to your doctor who will guide you correctly and may be able to prescribe some form of medication to help in reducing the pain you're experiencing. There are also a few things you can do of your own to help relieving back pain. However, before you try anything, make sure you discuss the procedure with your doctor to make sure you aren't doing anything worse and thus making more damage than good. When you are recovering from surgery, you want to make sure you are allowing yourself to heal properly and you don't want to do anything that will exacerbate the problem.

Effective And Simple Remedies to Reduce Back Pain After Shoulder Surgery:

Buy an analgesic and inflammatory solution or gel which you can easily get from your local grocery store. This kind of lotion is often found in spas (specifically for massages) and you can massage it into your back muscles. This will definitely help you in providing immediate relief from back pain

Another effective home remedy [http://www.backpainreliefhelp.com/Back_Pain_Medication/] is placing a heating pad on your back for a few minutes at a time. The heating pad should not be on for too long, because too much heat can be dangerous. Of course, another soothing option is to get a massage to get instant relief.

Use ice packs on the your back for about 10 minutes and then leave the area for extra thirty minutes devoid of the ice packs, and then repeat the whole sequence once more. Using ice helps in cooling and reducing inflammation that get drained by your back muscles while they spasm. To avoid the possibility of getting mild frostbite, do not use ice straightforwardly on the skin.

These are just a few ways to solve your trouble. Your doctor may have more, so you should ask him or her what you should do when the pain becomes intolerable.

Lower Back Pain When Lying Down - Tips

If you experience lower back pain when lying down you are not alone. Pain can strike in different parts of the back and can affect different activities and functions. Lying down when you have this sort of pain can be uncomfortable and painful, as can walking, sitting, and standing. The big problem with getting this type of pain when you lie down is that it makes it impossible to get any rest, which puts you in a catch 22 situation. This is because you need rest in order to help alleviate the condition causing your back pain but the fact that you have this pain means you cannot get any rest.

There are a number of reasons why you may be getting this pain when you are lying down. The root cause of the condition can vary. Remember, the lower region of the back, also known as the lumbar region, is particularly susceptible to problems. Pain in this part of the back can strike at different times, such as when you sit, stand, walk, or lie down. If you experience the discomfort for more than a few days you may need to see your doctor to find out the cause of the problem. However, often the root cause of the condition can be simpler than you think.

What causes this pain when you lie down?

A number of problems can cause this sort of discomfort when you lie down. There are some conditions that may require medical assistance to address them. However, this problem can be caused by a number of simple things too. By identifying the cause of the pain you can then look at the options available to rectify it. Some of the things that may be causing this discomfort include:

• An underlying condition: Pain in the back region can be caused by many different things. If your pain persists and you cannot pinpoint the reason for it you should visit your doctor so that tests can be carried out. It is then possible for the doctor to determine the cause of your pain.


• Your bedding: The time when most people lie down is at night when they go to bed. You may therefore find that it is your bed, or more specifically your mattress, that is causing the problem. A change of mattress could prove to be a huge help.


• The way in which you sleep: Your sleeping position could also be affecting your comfort levels when lying down. If you sleep in a way that is awkward and causes twisting you could experience discomfort when you are lying down.

Stretching to ease your pain

Anyone that is experiencing this pain in the back when lying down may be able to ease the symptoms through stretching and exercise. This can help to ease stiffness and increase flexibility. It can also improve the strength of the spine and stretch the muscles. For those in pain with their backs this type of self help therapy can prove really helpful and can help to ease lower back pain when lying down.

The Causes of Buttocks (Butt) Pain

There are various causes of buttocks or butt pain, depending on what you are talking about.

Pain in the Buttock/Butt muscle - Do you have pain in the big muscle of your butt while sitting, standing, walking, or during sex or other physical exercise? If you push on the center of your butt muscle does it hurt worse? How about during massage when they rub you hard in that area - do you just about jump off the table in pain? Does the pain radiate down either or both legs? Is it sharp, dull, burning, or aching, there all the time? Does it keep you from sleeping? Is it crampy? All of these could be describing butt pain caused by your sciatic nerve.

What is the sciatic nerve? - The sciatic nerve is a big nerve that comes out of your spine at the lower back, runs through your butt muscle and down your legs. It can easily be aggravated by stress. When stressed, your muscles become more tense and squeeze down on that nerve, causing all sorts of symptoms and generally making your life pretty miserable.

Pain in low back/butt - The lower back and buttocks are closely connected, so often if you have pain in one area you will also have pain in the other. The sciatic nerve runs through both your lower back and your buttock. Some people have pain only in the lower back, some only the butt or just one butt cheek, some people have pain in the low back radiating down one butt cheek all the way down the leg. All of these describe a typical sciatic nerve issue.

Pain in your anus (or butthole) - This is more than likely hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are veins in your anus, or right outside of it, that become swollen, hard, and very sensitive. Sometimes you can even see the hemorrhoids if you aim your butt toward a mirror, bend over, and spread your butt cheeks. They may look like little, round purple balls (that is the vein,) or they might be red and swollen. (Google 'hemorrhoids' and select images.) Hemorrhoids are caused by sitting (truck drivers often suffer from them,) constipation (straining while trying to crap will create hemorrhoids over time,) pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids due to constipation and pressure from the growing baby, and dehydration. Being chronically dehydrated is one of the main causes of constipation, and therefore, hemorrhoids. You should be drinking 2 quarts of water, minimum, each day. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks don't count. You can get Preparation H at your local drug store which will provide temporary relief of the itching, burning, and swelling. But to really get rid of them for good you have to add more water to your diet, and more fiber. I like to drink 2-3 quarts of water per day PLUS eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. I don't get hemorrhoids any longer because of these changes. If you think it is hemorrhoids, but it doesn't go away after a couple weeks of hydrating yourself and curing your constipation, please see your doctor. P.S. the toilet is NOT a library. Don't sit there for hours and read - that is one of the main causes of hemorrhoids.

Pain or burning in the top of the butt crack - If you have soreness, redness, itching, burning, and/or mild bleeding at the top of your butt crack, you could have a pilonidal cyst.

From Wikipedia: "Pilonidal cysts are quite painful, afflict men more frequently than women, and typically occur between the ages of 15 and 24. Although usually found near the coccyx, the condition can also affect the navel, armpit or penis"

These cysts often get bacterial or fungal infections. If you want to try treating it yourself, get an over-the-counter anti-bacterial cream and treat yourself twice a day after showering. If you still have the issue after a couple weeks, you might want to see your doctor. I know, embarrassing. I had to go to the doctor once for an extremely painful hemorrhoid.

Cycling and Lower Back Pain

While cycling is a great way to maintain cardiovascular and muscular fitness, it can also be a cause of lower back pain. Three main factors of lower back pain in cycling are posture, bike fit and core weakness.

Posture

Proper cycling posture is the subject of controversy. While good posture usually entails a straight spine, this is undesirable on a bike. Rather, having your spine slightly arched like a bridge is more appropriate. Road irregularities can lead to significant jolts while cycling; if the spine is erect, its discs are less able to cushion the vertebrae. If you are bent forward with a slightly curved spine, a jolt simply causes your spine to arch more. This reduces the impact on vertebrae and discs, particularly in the lumbar spine.

Bike Fit

Appropriate bike fit is a somewhat complicated science. The angle and height of your seat, handlebars, and pedals need to be tailored to your body in order to avoid knee, ankle, wrist and back pain. If your seat is too high, your legs will be forced to overextend while pedaling, straining your hamstring, pelvic and lower back muscles, as well as several ligaments and tendons along the way.

If your seat angle is not right for your body, your pelvis will be tilted either too far backward or forward. This causes tension in the muscles of the hips and lower back, as well as limiting the efficiency of the transfer of power from your upper body to your legs.

The position of your handlebars should facilitate the proper arched back posture discussed above. If they are too high, your spine will be too erect; if too low, your spine may arch too much, straining the muscles throughout the back, shoulders and neck.

Detailed information on bike fit specifications and alterations can be found at http://www.caree.org/bike101bikefit.htm.

Weak Core Muscles

The core muscles are responsible for supporting the upper body and transferring forces through the trunk to the lower body. Every movement of the body and display of strength originates from the core. Without strong abdominal, lower back, hip and buttocks muscles, the body's movements will be inefficient. If you experience lower back pain only after riding for a while, it is likely that a weak core is your problem.

As quoted by bicycling.com, Graeme Street, founder of the DVD training program Cyclo-CORE, compares having strong legs and a weak core to "having the body of a Ferrari with a Fiat chassis underneath."

The lower back muscles have to take on the full burden of supporting the upper body's weight and transferring forces to the lower body when the rest of the core group does not work with it. This leads to significant strain and lower back pain. To avoid this, the core group as a whole must be conditioned.

See http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/core?page=0,1 for a regimen designed to develop your core. The pages include detailed information on what muscle groups are being conditioned by each exercise and why it is necessary for cyclists. If your core is weak, be sure to start your conditioning slowly to avoid injury.

Proper cycling posture, bike fit and core strength can help you pursue cycling without lower back pain. Take the time to resolve your pain early on and avoid the risk of having your cycling routine interrupted permanently by lower back pain and injury.

Back Pain on the Job

In times of economic recession, lay-offs and unemployment leave people desperate for anything they can find. Many people have lost their desk jobs and are moving out of the office in search of anyone hiring. Besides the federal government, Walmart is the largest employer in the U.S. with almost 2 million employees.

As anyone who has worked either in a chair or on their feet all day can tell you, back pain is a common occurrence, especially lower back pain. People who work for Walmart, especially those who are stationary most of the day, like cashiers, are highly susceptible to both upper and lower back pain.

Poor posture is one of the leading causes of back pain in the retail industry. Posture is not merely a matter of remembering to sit and stand up straight; maintaining spinal alignment throughout the day requires conditioned core muscles.

Another factor of back pain for those employed by Walmart and similar companies is immobility. A lack of movement limits blood flow to your muscles, causing rigidity and soreness.

Posture

Supporting the weight of the upper body is a chore; the spine is meant to receive the assistance of muscles in the lower back, stomach, pelvis and buttocks to support this weight. In this culture of sitting, however, many people do not have a strong core group. This leaves the spine without the support it needs to maintain alignment, and places the burden of the upper body's weight almost exclusively on the lower back muscles.

The most common type of poor posture includes stooped shoulders, the pelvis jutted forward, lumbar arch nearly flattened, and head craned forward. With the change in spinal alignment, the discs that cushion vertebrae receive uneven pressure, which can eventually lead to damage. Muscles from the lower back up to the neck are strained, creating both upper and lower back pain. Posture-related strains tend to be chronic, unless steps are taken to correct posture by developing the core muscles and using ergonomics for assistance if necessary.

Stationary Position

An eight-hour shift as a cashier entails nearly eight hours of standing. While state laws vary, employers generally give employees two 10-15 minute breaks and one 30-60 minute lunch break during an eight-hour shift. Since the lunch break is generally not considered work time, the actual working shift is about 7.5 hours. Standing behind a register for 7.5 hours a day, employees do not have many opportunities to move around and get the blood flowing.

The contraction and relaxation cycle of muscles pumps oxygen-rich blood in and out. When muscles are held in contraction for a prolonged period of time, as when standing in one place for hours (particularly with bad posture), fresh blood is not being pumped through the immobile muscles. When muscles contract, they use oxygen to convert glucose into energy that enables them to do work. In the absence of oxygen, waste is produced. Fresh blood flow is needed to flush these waste products out of the muscle; without this flow, the waste pools in muscles, leaving them rigid and sore.

Treatment

If you are just beginning a job at Walmart or a similar company, you may be able to prevent back pain or stop it early on your own; developing the core muscle group and finding creative ways to move around at work may suffice.

The Mayo Clinic offers a slideshow of core exercises that will leave your muscles balanced and strong; find it at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/core-strength/SM00047. These exercises especially help to relieve lower back pain.

For ideas on how to keep the blood flowing at work, see http://www.rsiguard.com/help/ErgoAnswers/micro_stretch.html. Try out a few of these standing stretches between customers. Your back, neck and shoulders will likely benefit.

If posture and immobility have wreaked havoc on your back for some time now, it would be wise to seek consult with a physical therapist. Chronic muscle strain leads to muscle imbalances that wrench the spine further out of alignment and exacerbate pain. A physical therapist can help you identify which muscles need relaxing and which need developing. After balance has been achieved, your muscles will need to be retrained to support correct posture; this will help you prevent further cases of upper and lower back pain.

In nearly every situation of back pain, education can lead you to a solution. Work should not be painful. Make sure you know the risks and how to avoid them.

How Does Acupuncture Assist in the Relief of Lower Back Pain and Spasms?

Every day people ask me about Acupuncture for relief of their lower back pain and back injury. For many people, the thought (let alone the action) of an acupuncture needle into your body would only increase pain. However, acupuncture is a very safe and effective method of pain relief, for acute and chronic conditions. I have found it particularly advantageous in the treatment and management of back aches, back spasms and back pain after a lower back injury.

Firstly, what is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is just one part of traditional Chinese Medicine. Whilst acupuncture is thought of in the Western World as simply a needling process, acupuncture has many forms in traditional Chinese Medicine. Yin and Yang breathing techniques and herbal medicines are also parts of the process of Chinese Medicine.

Acupuncture has been around for 4500 - 5000 years now, and the Chinese were using Acupuncture for many things - not just pain relief - before steel was discovered. This means two main things for us - they were using 'Acupuncture' techniques for pain relief before the needle was invented (Thin bamboo shoots were used), and acupuncture was being used before scalpels were invented. This means that the Chinese were using Acupuncture and needling techniques on each other successfully before they knew what was underneath the 'needle' they were placing in the body.

Traditional Acupuncture is based upon the belief of 'Meridian Points' in our body. Acupuncturists believed that these meridian points were energy channels that related to different vessels in our body - the Liver, Large Intestine, Heart etc. These energy channels run all through our body. The traditional belief in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture for pain relief, is that by tapping into these energy channels through the use of a 'needle', anything from acute to chronic pain, back aches, buttock pain and back spasms caused by these areas can be relieved. Because of this, the needle is often not placed anywhere near the actual point of pain.

In the case of lower back pain and back injury, traditional acupuncture has been shown to be effective in providing pain relief for both acute and chronic pain, back aches and back spasms. Acupuncture for lower back pain can assist in decreasing back spasm and chronic pain, along with assisting in decreasing the long term changes in the brain's pain processing.

Over recent years, Acupuncture has become more accepted in Western culture for its use in pain relief for anything from headaches to back pain to pregnancy. With greater research into the actual process of needling and how it works, a westernised form of Acupuncture known as Dry Needling has become more widely used and accepted. A westernised form of Acupuncture, Dry Needling works to relieve muscle spasm, giving almost instantaneous relief from back aches, back spasms and buttock pains caused by muscle spasm after back injury.

Muscle Spasm: Following back injury, the muscles of the back will spasm to protect the injury site, causing many people to suffer from back ache and back spasms. Many of the muscles around the pelvis will spasm after a back injury, leading to buttock pain particularly, along with back aches and lower back pain that will not show up on an x-ray or MRI.

When muscle spasm increases, it can lead to trigger points developing in the muscles. These trigger points are the main causes of back pain, buttock pain and back spasm, along with a major cause of back aches. The technique of dry needling is effective in ridding the body of these trigger points and leading to pain relief from lower back pain, back aches and back spasms.

After a back injury, a major cause of back pain is often the muscle spasm and trigger points, as the underlying problem can often heal itself. This is why for many people, their MRI or x-ray will show nothing, and their Doctor will not believe the cause of their back pain.

Dry Needling is used to safely and effectively break up these trigger points through rapid and fast needling of the area. Unlike Acupuncture, Dry Needling is only done for 5 - 10 seconds, where as Acupuncture Needles are often left in for 15 - 20 minutes. I have found this technique very effective in removing back aches, lower back pain, back spasms, buttock pains and spine pain. By removing the trigger point as the major cause for back pain after back injury, pain relief can be felt almost immediately.