Spinal Fractures: Common Cause of Teen Back Pain

In 2003 the journal Pain published a study confirming that the incidence of back pain increases significantly between ages 13 and 15. A number of factors can cause back pain in teens, much to their surprise. Though we normally think of younger bodies as more resilient, the stress many growing bodies are subjected to today proves too much.

Injuries to the spine, particularly fractures, are a common cause of back pain among teens who participate in competitive sports. There are a different types of fractures the spine can undergo, the most common being spondyolysis, which is a stress fracture. Teens who regularly hyperextend their spines, meaning they bend backward, are especially at risk of spondylolysis; this includes gymnasts and wrestlers. Impact is also a risk factor of spondylolysis, so football players are at risk as well.

The fracture associated with spondylolysis occurs at the back of the vertebra at the section called pars interarticularis. This component helps to stabilize the spine and maintain alignment. When one or both sides of the pars interarticularis experiences a fracture, prompt diagnosis and recuperation is needed to prevent spondylolisthesis, or the misplacement of a vertebra. Spondylolisthesis may lead to spinal nerve compression by the moved vertebra or a nearby spinal disc that has protruded due to vertebral misplacement.

Spondylolysis often manifests as pain that feels like muscle strain. It almost always occurs at the bottom vertebra of the lumbar spine; aching across the lower back, accompanied by muscle spasms felt in the lower back and possibly the back of the leg, are indicators of spondylolysis in people who participate in rigorous physical activity. An X-ray confirms the condition, and a short period of rest with gradual return to activity usually suffices to heal the vertebra. Core exercises to support the spine may be desirable to prevent a recurrence of the condition, and supplementation of vitamin D and calcium may help to speed up the recovery process.

Fractures to the vertebra can occur in other places besides the pars interarticularis. When the main body of a vertebra suffers a fracture called a compression fracture, its height changes. Depending on the cause and location of the fracture, one side of the vertebra may lose height creating a wedge-shaped bone, or both sides may lose height. Wedge-shaped spinal bones distort posture and create uneven pressure on spinal discs. A bone that is shorter all around also changes the mechanics of the spine and the pressure placed on surrounding discs. As discs experience uneven or increased pressure, they may bulge and herniate. This can lead to nerve compression that causes tingling, weakness and pain along the nerve's pathway.

While these types of fractures are commonly associated with osteoporosis affecting older people, teens who participate in high-impact activities like skateboarding, gymnastics and football can experience them. Direct blows to the back and landing hard from a fall are common causes.

Spinal fractures often signal themselves by sudden and severe pain. Standing and walking are difficult, and lying down may provide some relief. Bending and twisting will be especially painful. If you or a teen you know has these signs, it is important to seek medical attention. One vertebral fracture increases the risk of another one, and if healing is not prompted, a chain reaction can be set off that permanently distorts the spine.

Treatments for spinal fractures are similar to the treatment of spondylolysis. A back brace may be needed to minimize movement of the spine as the bone heals.

It is important for teens to understand that the injuries they acquire when young can lead to chronic back pain as an adult. While they may be tempted to push through the pain so as not to miss games and competitions, a short period of recovery now could mean the difference between health as an adult and disability. There are natural, safe treatments for teen back pain. The faster you deal with the problem, the faster you can return to the activities you love.

Lower Back Pain - There is Relief

Lower back pain is more common than we might think--seven million Americans suffer from chronic back pain and 80% of Americans will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lifetime.

The lower back or lumbar region is identified as L1 - L5. The mental/emotional causes for lower back pain have been thoroughly documented through the ages, beginning with ancient Chinese medicine. Louise Hay in her book, "You Can Heal Your Body," identifies the mental cause and the metaphysical ways to heal the root cause.

Root cause for lower back pain:

L-1: A crying for love and a need to be lonely. Insecurity.

L-2: Stuck in childhood pain. See no way out.

L-3: Sexual abuse. Guilt. Self-hatred.

L-4: Rejection of sexuality. Financial insecurity. Fear of career. Feeling powerless.

L-5: Insecurity. Difficulty in communicating. Anger. Inability to accept pleasure.

Sacrum: Loss of power. Old stubborn anger.

Coccyx: Out of balance with yourself. Holding on. Blame of self. Sitting on old pain.

If you or anyone you know has chronic lower back pain--honestly and earnestly look at the mental and emotional causes and look for ways to release and reestablish a new perception. The fastest and most effective way to heal the root cause of physical dis-ease or skeletal pain is engaging in mind, body, spirit healing.

Lower Back Pain While Sitting Down - Some Tips

Lower back pain is something chronic in nature and it at times becomes completely difficult to get rid of it permanently. Though this is chronic in nature, this chronic characteristic can be brought down to rest if you give up the habit of sitting down for long hours. Lots of people think that sitting gives comfort which is in fact true in some way.

But there are not lots of people who are aware of the kind of back problems one could go through if this seating is done on an ongoing or continuous business. We would, in this article, look at some of the tips to get rid of this problem.

It is very normal to sit down on the floor but it becomes kind of a problem if you do not sit on the floor with a help of a back support. Sitting without a back support will tend to curve your back and that would cause lot of problems or pain when you try to stand erect or do some stretching exercises. It is always better that, when you are sitting on a floor, you rest your back against the wall. The wall will give your back support and will ensure less strain to that part of your body.

Do some massages and relaxation exercises. Ask someone to massage your back if you feel slight discomfort or pain in that region. Try to take adequate amount of sleep and never miss out on the opportunity to lie down on the floor whenever you get it.

Another way to get rid of this problem is to avoid sitting on the floor as much as possible. If there is a need to sit, then you must go for the couch or the chair rather than sitting on the floor because the couch or chair will have a back rest which will give some support to your back.

Low Back Pain Treatment - Is Acupressure Effective As a Low Back Pain Treatment Therapy?

Almost 8 out of 10 people suffer from slipped disks at one time of their lives or another. Some recovered with no further recurrence whilst other experience chronic backache for the rest of their lives. With this burden, some people cannot live the active lifestyle they once have. It is not uncommon to see people becoming depressed, even quitting their job to cope with this lumbago problem.

Sufferers look for low back pain treatment eg. herniated disc treatment or bulging disc treatment or even treatment on their pinched nerve back.There are many treatments available for the sufferer. Back pain medication like painkillers, chiropractic adjustment, lower back pain exercises, massage, acupuncture, acupressure and even surgery.

I personally have suffered from sciatica for 12 years. I have tried every method listed above and I almost had surgery. Surgery, in particular, is a major decision. It is important to know that research studies have been done on how patients fare years after surgery. 2 groups of patients were monitored ie one which had surgery while the other group opt for other treatments. Statistics have shown that 10 years after surgery, the conditions of both sets of patients were similar. In my case, when my specialist advised me for surgery, I actually seek a second opinion. The second doctor had a different approach and told me the above statistics. Although I had L4-L5 Herniated Disc, instead of suggesting surgery, he sent me to a therapy school where I learned all kinds of lower back pain exercises as a low back pain treatment and therapies to strengthen the muscles. Though I improved, my lumbar back pain became chronic.

It was by accident that I discovered acupressure and gave it a shot. It is a natural treatment and unlike acupuncture, no needles are applied on the body. All you do is to identify spots (called acupoints) on various parts of the body and apply acupressure techniques to press on these acupoints. My first treatment lasted only 10 minutes and it gave me immediate pain relief. I felt pain no more. Because I felt so good after the treatment, I did 6 years of intensive research on this natural healing technique. It has since become my low back pain treatment choice.

I have since recovered and have not had any more aching recurrence thanks to the acupressure treatment knowledge that I had. It is simple and easy to learn. Also, it can be self administered. You can do it anytime and anywhere. There are also no drugs, painkillers or special equipment involved. Unlike surgery, it is not invasive.

While this traditional acupressure knowledge is originated from Asia (China, India), it is gaining popularity, slowly but surely.I have since used the same techniques to help different people and all have shown good improvements.

The principle of Acupressure is simple. The body consist of different meridian lines along which lay many acupoints. Energy flows along these meridian lines. Each of these acupoints correspond to a certain part of a body. For example, an acupoint on the toe corresponds to the head. When a person is unwell or stressed, the acupoint will act like a switch and become cloaked with toxics. By pressing these acupoints with certain acupressure techniques, you basically remove these toxics. So, the task here is to treat acupoints that corresponds to the spine. When toxics are removed, the energy flow enhances and the person feels better and recovers from spine problems

So, if you are looking for a natural solution to cure your painful backache problems, acupressure might be right for you to heal your spine problems.

Lumbar Multifidus Muscle: Key to Chronic Lower Back Pain?

A growing amount of research indicates that the lumbar multifidus muscle may be the key to many instances of chronic lower back pain.

The multifidus muscle stretches from the sacrum to the bottom of the skull and runs along the spine. Its thickest part is located in the lower back. Though relatively thin, this muscle is largely responsible for the alignment and stability of the spine; some estimate it is responsible for 2/3rds of spinal stability. Its superficial layer supports alignment, while the deeper layer is responsible for stabilization. By supporting the spine, the muscle takes undue pressure off spinal discs.

The multifidus mainly comes into play when bending backward, bending sideways and turning to one side. The muscle can become strained during these actions if the position is held for too long, if you are carrying an object or if the muscle is weak. Sports are a common reason for multifidus injury.

After any muscle is injured, it needs to be rested for a day or two to recover. What researchers are now considering is the possibility that the multifidus atrophies quickly after injury, meaning that those who do not take steps to rebuild the muscle post-injury are susceptible to recurrent back pain. The quick atrophy may be caused by the fact that the body readjusts posture and movement patterns to avoid pain.

A 2009 study by MacDonald et al sought to answer why 34% of people who experience lower back pain experience recurrence. They compared the multifidus muscle activity of healthy patients with those who have recurrent pain. The muscle normally activates before it is needed in order to prepare the spine. In the group with lower back pain, the muscle engaged later than in the healthy group. This lack of spinal support when needed increases the risk of further injury and pain.

The study can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19186001.

Rebuilding the Multifidus

The loss of muscle size and strength due to atrophy combined with delayed activation may be responsible for chronic lower back pain in many individuals. Any type of back pain or injury can lead to disuse of the multifidus, so strengthening this and other core muscles is a sound component of any back pain recovery plan.

The back bridge exercise engages the multifidus most. This exercise also engages the deep abdominal and gluteal muscles. The best way to prevent multifidus strain in the future, along with practicing proper body mechanics, is to develop the core muscle group as a whole; this will provide support to the muscle and ensure it is not compensating for other, weaker ones. See the Mayo Clinic's slideshow of core workouts at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/core-strength/SM00047. If your back pain is severe, you should consult a physical therapist to guide you through exercises that do not exacerbate your pain.

If you suffer chronic lower back pain, then your body has adapted to that pain by changing its movement patterns. In this case, less short-term pain means more long-term pain. A weak multifidus muscle leaves your spine susceptible to injury. Conditioning this and other core muscles could be the answer to your pain.

Lower Back Pain in Women: What You Need To Know

Lower back pain is a very common condition that affects millions of women. This pain an affect the daily lives of women, hindering their daily activities, and even causing restless sleep. There are many different reasons for this back pain, as well as a variety of remedies to treat it and rectify it. There are also some preventative measures that can be taken to try and limit the number of times women experience this lumbar discomfort. It's important to address the pain or discomfort as early as possible to order to prevent the pain and the condition from getting worse. It's also a good idea to get the condition checked out by a medical doctor in order to rule out anything more serious that would require invasive treatment.

What Are The Causes of Lower Back Pain in Women?

There are a variety of causes for lower back discomfort in women. First off, an acute injury from either a fall or some sort of trauma can cause back pain. Anything from the nerves, to ligaments, to muscles and bones can be affected in this type of back injury. Chronic overuse can also cause back pain, where the muscles and ligaments are constantly being used and overused, most probably not in proper form.

Other reasons for lower back pain in women include pregnancy, menstrual cramps, obesity, aging, herniated discs, or arthritis. Determining the exact cause of this lumbar discomfort will determine the type of treatment or pain relief necessary to alleviate this pain in women. For example, if obesity is the culprit, it's important to get on an exercise and diet program in order to lose weight and take unnecessary weight and pressure off the back. On the other hand, if arthritis is the cause, then certain medications prescribed by a doctor will probably be required.

How Do You Treat Lower Back Pain in Women?

As stated above, it is vital to know what the causes are for the back discomfort in order to treat the problem accordingly. The first thing you should do is visit a doctor in order to make sure that any sort of treatment program is applicable to the exact issue, and will not cause any further damage. There are variety of treatments, such as exercising, stretching, chiropractic treatments, physiotherapy, prescribed medication, or in severe cases, surgery. You may even find that herbal and natural remedies may work to alleviate your pain and discomfort.

Breaking the Endless Cycle of Low Back Pain

The cause of most low back pain has been well established in the medical community, it is what doctors call a sprain/strain. In simple terms, a strain occurs when muscle, or tendon fibers are torn. A sprain is occurs when a ligament is torn. There are different grades of a strain or sprain, ranging from a mild tear, to a complete rupture.

In most cases of low back pain, there is usually a combination of both a sprain and a strain, which has gone unresolved over time, and is slowly progressing. For example, let's say you were playing football when you were twelve years old, you went up for a pass and got hit in mid-air by an opponent, as you landed on the ground awkwardly, you felt a searing pain in your low back. You got up and was able to get home. The pain was pretty bad for a couple of days but eventually you recover completely. Fast forward twenty years later. Now you are thirty-two years old, and for the last couple of years have had a nagging tightness and discomfort in the low back, in a similar area to the one that was hurt as a twelve-year-old. One day, you bend over to pick something up, and just like that, you feel that searing pain again. Only this time, you don't recover as quickly as you did when you were twelve.

This is a common scenario in people with low back pain, and the reason is this: When you experience a sprain/strain injury to the soft tissue in your body, the area will heal itself over time. Unfortunately, a by-product of this healing process is the development of scar tissue in the healed muscle, tendon, or ligament. Scar tissue does not have the strength or flexibility of normal tissue. An accumulation of scar tissue injuries will weaken the back, and make it more susceptible to additional injury. This cycle of events will continue, and the back will continue to degenerate, until the cycle is broken.

How is the cycle broken?

There are ways to break up this scar tissue which develops after an injury. Many chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists are well equipped with techniques to eliminate scar tissue. It is important that people with low back pain find these providers.

Causes of Pregnancy Back Pain

Generally speaking, lower back pain during pregnancy isn't a cause for concern, but it's still something that should be checked into, as in some cases it might be a warning sign of a serious abdominal problem, including miscarriage. So, before you panic, read through this information. It should help you determine whether or not your condition is normal.

As mentioned, many expectant mothers experience lower back pain to some degree since your body is adapting to a variety changes. However, if you feel that your symptoms have nothing to do with any of the following causes, please see your doctor. In fact, even if you think the cause is something harmless, you still may want to ease your mind with a visit to your obstetrician.

The following are just a few things that can cause lower back pain during pregnancy. None of these are cause for undo alarm. And remember, even when you aren't pregnant, any type of pain in the back is generally benign in nature.

If your pregnancy back pain is associated with constipation, flatulence or bloating, then your condition is quite normal, however unpleasant. Your uterus is growing, creating pressure on adjacent organs as it pushes them aside, and in the process, slowing down your digestion. Further, constipation itself causes the stool to build up in the colon, and the corresponding increase in the volume of the colon will exert pressure on the lumbar spine and the muscles attached to it.

Pregnancy back pain can also be due to the fluctuations of your hormones, as increased levels can lead to inflamed and sensitive joints. Also, even during your fist trimester, you posture can begin to change, impacting how your joints and muscles move and contract, perhaps even stretching the nerves. This can lead to significant pain.

As mentioned before, your uterus in growing, and so is the baby you are carrying. This added burden will add strain to the lower back and pelvic region. The normal curvature of your lower back changes, and this can aggravate the nerves of the lumbar spine and tail bone.

These are just a few of the reasons why you can suffer from lower back pain during pregnancy, and they are all quite normal. However, as stated at the outset, if you feel concerned, or think that your pregnancy back pain may not be the result of normal changes in your body, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Lower Left Side Back Pain - Causes And Treatment Options - Braces For Support

How is your lower back feeling lately?

1.) Low Back Pain

The health of your muscles and strength of bones tend to lessen with age. Lower left sided back discomfort can be a musculoskeletal ailment that you will need to deal with, or the problem may get worse. People may get lower left sided back discomfort due to some back injury for any number of reasons, such as a bulging disc. (Bulging discs reduce the intervertebral ability to provide cushion to the spine.) Lower left sided back pain may also arise due to strains on back musculature.

This article will be useful in getting information about causes of lower left sided back pain and necessary measures to help avoid getting back pain. It will also cover how to deal with your back pain if you are already suffering from this ailment.

2.) Causes of Low Back Pain

Lower left sided back pain may be caused due to:

A herniated or "slipped" disc. When you suffer from this problem, the disc may actually press on spinal nerves. This can cause numbness or pain in your lower back. Back discomfort or numbness due to herniation can project down to the left or right leg and reach the feet as well.

Muscle Strains: Lower left side back problems may arise when back muscles or tendons get strained by an accident or by trauma. Bad posture and improper body mechanics may also lead to overstretched ligaments which may cause lower back pain. (When you stretch or tear a ligament, this is considered to be a sprain.)

Obesity, smoking, stress, poor physical shape, bad posture are among the possible reasons of lower backache.

3.) Prevention

We can take several steps towards prevention from this common ailment. Although, exercise may not prove fruitful in existing back pain, it actually can help us prevent suffering from back pain as it helps maintain back muscle strength. Stronger back muscles can help save us from muscle strain. Low impact activities like walking, swimming, bicycling and some other exercise routines like back stretching, aerobic conditioning and lifting weights are useful as prevention measures.

4.) Treatment

Pain can be reduced by some home remedies including rest and ice. Although these treatments are conservative in nature, these methods have prove to be effective at times. Low profile back braces are also advised by many physicians. These back braces can provide support and help to reduce pain. The support that they provide can also help to facilitate the healing process of an injury as they restrict poor lumbar movements. Lastly, surgery is a helpful option, but it is to be considered as a last resort in most cases after conservative options have been exhausted.

5.) Back Brace Types

To help you understand what is available, it is first a good idea to note that back supports can be custom made or prefabricated. - Common prefabricated items include: corsets, Aspen LSOs, Aspen quick draws and warm and form braces. These braces can help to provide support and can be very helpful, but they are usually not considered to be more supportive than a custom LSO or custom TLSO. You may not always need a custom brace depending on your injury level. Moreover, some custom TLSOs (sometimes referred to as "body jackets", or "clam shells") can also include neck extensions to help control cervical spine motion.

* This article is meant to be helpful, but it is best to consult your local orthotist about what type of brace that you need. Moreover, it is best to consult your physician about proper activity levels with respect to your back pain and/or injury level.

Are You The Cause Of Your Lower Back Pain?

Although eighty percent of adults will suffer at some stage with lower back pain it still remains very much a mystery to the medical world. Are we missing something? Is the answer a little closer to home?

If you have had a medical examination for your lower back pain and no specific cause has been diagnosed what can you do? You may have been told that it is either 'all in your mind' or, worse still, be suspected of faking it to get time off work. The problem is that if medical tests cannot find a probable cause it is assumed there is nothing wrong with you. Now this isn't much use to you is it!

The problem as I see it is that medical science does not yet recognize what could be a major factor in back pain. This factor, in my opinion, is that most adults, due to stress and the pressures of modern living, have lost 'the art of natural movement'.

How often are we stuck behind a desk, the wheel of a car or clued to the couch in front of the TV? What is this doing to our backs? We all know that we should be more active but when we exercise or play a sport do we still know how to move freely and efficiently as we did as young children?

Has your doctor advised exercise? Yes it is true that activity as opposed to bed rest is better for your back, but how do you know if you are moving correctly? If posture and the way we move are a cause of lower back pain, are we not making matter worse by using our bodies more vigorously?

I would suggest that before you start on an exercise program to help your lower back you should assess how you stand, sit, walk and run. If you can learn to reduce the unnecessary stress many of us place on our lower backs this can go a long way to resolving the problem for many sufferers.

One of the best ways to re-educate your muscles to reduce the stresses and strains we unknowingly place upon our bodies is The Alexander Technique. This remarkable system can show you how to use your body as nature intended and can help eliminate or drastically reduce lower back pain. As a teacher myself I see many people who, once shown a few simple 'tricks', are amazed at just how much unnecessary effort they have been using for even the simplest, everyday tasks. Once this has been removed they feel lighter, their movement is freer and the pain just melts away.

If you have not yet seen your doctor I would recommend you do before taking any other action.

Lower Back Pain and the Common Causes

Of all the ailments that one could possibly encounter over his lifetime, lower back pain would probably account for the majority of the experiences and not to mention the extent of frustration and disruption to one's everyday life. The back belongs to part of the spine and is a complicated musculoskeletal structure which is made up of a network of different components; disorders or problems in any of the parts of the lower back could propagate and manifest as a syndrome of lower back pain. That is the reason why lower back pain could affect almost up to 80% of the population over their lifetimes.

Despite it being such a common syndrome, a myriad of causes with varying severity could be attributed to its symptoms. A typical muscular strain could induce an immediate and great deal of pain compared to a more severe situation of spinal disc herniation or degenerative discs where only minor discomfort may be experienced. Hence it is crucial that one must describe the symptoms clearly and obtain an accurate diagnosis of the underlying causes before pain relief could be administered.

Let us take a look at the different possible types of lower back pain and their respective causes.

Axial Back Pain.

The pain experienced is confined to the lower back region does not extend into the lower body, buttocks or legs. The degree of pain ranges from a mild ache to an acute sting. Daily activities like standing and walking could be restricted under very severe conditions. The syndrome tends to be aggravated while performing particular activities such as sports or staying in extended physical positions like sitting in office cubicle.

The diagnosis of the causes of axial back pain is not critical as it is not required for treatment. Resting usually brings about relief and the pain is commonly short termed - occurring over a 2-3 months span. However there are cases where axial back pain does not subside fully and becomes a chronic condition.

Chronic lower back pain.

Pain in the lower back that persists for extended duration and which is worsened by particular posture and physical movements. Symptoms include continuous mild pain in with periods of acute aches or muscle spasms which stays from a few days up to months. The pain could get worse by sitting down or standing upright and frequent adjustment of posture provides relief for the pain.

One of the common causes behind this is lumbar degenerative disc disease. This disease affects even young patients in their teens. As the lumbar discs between the spinal vertebrae starts to degenerate and break down; inflammation occurs which causes instability in the affected region and trigger off a series of painful muscular spasms. Thankfully, this is a common condition and treatments are readily available.

Sciatica or Lumbar radiculopathy.

A condition that causes numbness/weakness on the lower back and asymmetric pain in the lower body region. One side of the lower body could be more severely affected, and the pain could spread to the entire length of the foot starting from the buttocks.

This is caused by musculoskeletal conditions where the nerve roots leading to the sciatic nerve are compressed or irritated. A common condition for this is a ruptured or herniated disc in the spine that exerts pressure against the nerve roots. Treatment includes medication, changing of lifestyle to avoid sitting down for extended periods and switching between lying down and going for walks.

Lower Back Pain - 5 of the Worst Exercises You Should Never Do

Did you know that some of the worst exercises for lower back pain are the exact ones that are typically recommended by health care professionals?

Most low back pain sufferers have very weak abdominal muscles and are usually told to perform exercises to strengthen the abdominals.

It has been my experience to avoid certain exercises at all costs. If you want to relieve low back pain then you need to know the 5 worst exercises for your low back.

#1: Sit-ups- I have never had a client of mine perform a traditional sit-up. Sit-ups are the absolute worst exercise. Now, most health professionals have gotten away from recommending this exercise, but there still are some who do. Sit-ups pose a couple of major problems.

First, performing the exercise with hands behind your head can aggravate or develop strain on your cervical spine (your neck). Because of the typical abdominal weakness most low back pain sufferers have, they cannot effectively initiate movement of the trunk by engaging the abdominals. So, instead they begin to pull at the head which causes strain to the cervical spine.

Second, sit-ups involve the hip flexors more than the abdominals. Your hip flexors are active in such movements where you bring your knee up. For example, when walking up a flight of stairs your hip flexors lift your leg to you can put your foot up on the next step.

But, your hip flexors also attach to each vertebrae on your lumbar spine. When you overuse these muscles they generate force that pulls from the lumbar area of the spine which causes stress to your lower back.

#2: Crunches- Traditional crunches were used as a safe alternative to the sit-up. Technically, crunches utilize the abdominals and stretch the spinal erectors which can help alleviate low back pain.

But, here a few interesting facts that make crunches one of the top 5 worst exercises for your low back:

• fact #1- crunches primarily engage the rectus abdominis, commonly called the "six pack" muscles. The rectus abdominis functions to flex your spine as when bending forward at the waist. Crunches fail to engage the entire abdominal complex (internal obliques, external obliques and transverse abdominis). Your entire abdominal complex is what provides a strong and stable foundation for your lower back.



• fact #2- the more crunches you perform over time your body eventually begins to develop a stooped forward posture or "hunch back". This is really bad because it puts a lot of stress on your lower back. It also weakens the muscles of your upper and mid-back which are extremely important to maintain good posture and protect your lower back.



• fact #3- the majority of low back pain sufferers are considered overweight to some extent. So, exercise focused on burning more calories and body fat is an important key to managing back pain. The less fat you carry around your midsection the less stress to your lower back. Crunches are one of the least effective exercises for burning calories.

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#3- Leg raises- This exercise is probably the 2nd worst exercise you can do for lower back pain for the same reason as sit-ups. Leg raises have the potential to involve the hip flexors even more than sit-ups because your legs a longer and weigh more.

#4- Torso twists on machines- This exercise involves sitting on a machine where you hold a couple handles with a pad at your chest and twist from side to side pulling weight from the machine. Too many people load up this machine with too much weight and/or perform the twist improperly which can create shearing forces at the spine and injure the disks that protect your spine.

#5- Low back extensions- This is the machine where you sit with a weighted pad at your back. You lean forward then push yourself back up to sitting upright against the resisted pad. Low back pain does not necessarily mean you have a "weak low back" and need to strengthen it. At least not in this manner. This type of movement overuses the muscles of the lower back which is one of the most common reasons why people develop low back problems in the first place.

So, performing this exercise only compounds the initial problem by training you to overuse your lower back muscles.

Lower Back Pain Relief Tips - Some Treatments

Lower back pain is a common problem for Americans. Around 90% of people in the United States have suffered from the problem at least once in their lives. This problem is commonly not a disease, but rather a symptom that occurs from other health problems. Most of the time, the uneasy feeling is generated by no specific reason and just disappears. When the problem attacks, here are some treatments you can try for relieving the symptom.

1. Capsaicin cream

Capsaicin is the active ingredient found in chili peppers which creates the hot burning sensation. When applied to the skin, the cream works as an analgesic which reduces the ache. In a study of the connection between lower back pain and capsaicin cream, it is found that 42% of 160 patients who regularly used the cream during 3 weeks improved their lower back cases. The result is better than the other experiment group; among 160 people who were treated with placebo, only 31% showed significant improvement. The cream can be found in drugstores, health food stores, or purchased online.

2. Massage

This method is one of the most popular treatments for relieving lower back pain. In fact, research revealed that massage is effective for relieving chronic and subacute pain. Massage is also known to reduce anxiety and depression which often come with the chronic ache. For pregnant women who suffer from the lower back problem, massage is the most often used therapy.

3. Willow Bark

White willow tree bark works similar to aspirin to reduce pain. The willow bark contains salicin which turns into salicylic acid when consumed. The same way also applies to aspirin; when the aspirin is consumed, the substance turns into salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is known as the remedy for aches as well as inflammations.

4. Yoga

Yoga balances the function of our body with its series of poses. This body exercise also helps improving strength and flexibility. When taken regularly, yoga can relieve chronic back pain. You have to take regular yoga classes at least three months in a row to see the result of the remedy.

5. Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that pain is resulted by blocked energy in our body. Acupuncture needles help unblocking the blockage thus relieving the pain. Scientifically, it is found that the inserted needles make the body releases natural pain-relieving opioids which calms our sympathetic nervous system. However, acupuncture cannot be done only once. Just as yoga, you need to undergo a series of the therapy to get satisfying result.

Relieving Lower Back Pain After a Miscarriage

The reasons for Miscarriages are unclear. Some experts postulate one cause to be that the union of the male sperm with the female egg is defective due to chromosomal incompatibility.

Whatever the case, first pregnancies often end up in miscarriages. Since there will be no remarkable physical indication of miscarriage, most women will mistake a miscarriage for an unusually heavy menstruation because the discharge will be accompanied by more cellular debris, including the displaced fetus.

Miscarriages are frequently accompanied by bright or dark red spotting and abdominal and lower back pain. Miscarriages may happen over a short or extended period of time, depending on how quickly the fetus can detach itself from the ovarian wall. The first thing to do when you notice these symptoms is to consult with your gynecologist. The doctor may decide to perform D&C on you to hasten cleaning up the ovary. While bleeding is present it is usually advisable to refrain from strenuous activity.

The lower back and abdominal pain experienced in miscarriages is due to the contraction of muscles surrounding the genital area of the body. If the bleeding has stopped and lower back pain still persists, a mild form of exercise may relieve the muscular tension in that area. There are many un-straining exercises that you can perform regularly. For instance:

1. Lying flat on your back, repeatedly flex and stretch your ankles.


2. Lying flat on your back, slows flex and stretch one knee alternating with the other.


3. Lying flat on your back with your hands resting on your abdomen, draw in your abdomen at the same time doing upper lung breathing. Then loosen the abdomen and repeat.


4. On your back with one knee bent and the other straight, slowly raise the stretched knee and then lower it. Repeat for the other knee.

Those are only a few of the easy exercises you can do to relieve the tension in your abdomen and lower back region.

Back Pain When Breathing

Back pain when breathing is usually the result of a muscular problem in the upper back. Back muscles are situated very close to the lungs; when we inhale, the lungs expand, forcing the muscles in the upper back and chest to move. A muscle strain in the upper back can cause this movement to result in sharp pain or aching.

The muscles of the upper back - the latissimus dorsi, stretching from the mid-back to beneath the armpit, the rhomboids, stretching from the shoulder blade to just below the neck, and the trapezius, stretching from mid-spine to the shoulder and neck - can cause pain while breathing when they are strained. These muscles become strained either by injury or prolonged poor posture.

Rigorous sports or poor body mechanics can leave you with an injured upper back muscle. These muscles, used mostly in pushing and pulling efforts, may become strained if the work you are attempting to do outweighs your muscles' strength.

To correct back pain when breathing caused by an injury, you must allow the injured muscle to repair itself by avoiding activities that stress the muscle. Once the muscle is healed, you can gradually recondition your upper back to be strong and capable.

Poor posture is likely a more widespread cause of back pain when breathing than back injury. Slouching, that classic example of poor posture, causes the pectoral muscles in the chest and the teres minor muscle in the armpit to shorten in length, since the upper back is hunched over and the shoulders are stooped in this position. These muscles become chronically tense, exerting a pull on the shoulders and back. As the upper back muscles are overstretched and strained, they grow weaker.

Strained muscles cause pain when we attempt to use them. With every breath, back muscles are being moved. This constant employment of weak muscles can lead to chronic upper back pain, noticeably triggered by every breath.

The situation worsens when back muscles begin to spasm. To begin with, strained muscles have a difficult time receiving a healthy amount of fresh blood flow. Blood is pumped in and out of muscles during a relaxation/contraction cycle. Since strained muscles cannot properly relax or contract, they are not receiving the proper amount of nutrients and oxygen from blood. Oxygen-deprived muscles go into spasms, or forced contraction; this is the body's way of trying to end pain and protect the muscle by limiting motion. Yet upper back muscles must move in order for us to breathe; when they are in spasm, the motion can cause severe pain. The risk of back spasm in this situation is increased by the fact that the hunched posture constricts the lungs and limits the amount of oxygen circulating through the body.

If poor posture is the cause of your pain, then retraining your body to improve posture will be necessary for treatment. First, the tight muscles in the chest must be restored to their natural length. This is best done with the use of a foam roller in a technique called self-myofascial reslease. Once the muscles of the chest have been elongated, the upper back muscles can be conditioned to hold the head upright. Refer to http://www.everydayhealth.com/back-pain/upper-back-exercises.aspx for a list of exercises anyone can do to strengthen their upper backs.

Practicing proper posture is about more than having enough strength; since your body has learned the old pattern, it will take focus and possibly the assistance of ergonomic accessories like lumbar supports, cushions and foot rests to encourage proper posture. If the damage done by your previous posture is severe, you may need a physical therapist or other professional to guide you through exercises and stretches for many of your body's muscles.

Back pain when breathing is rarely the sign of a serious condition affecting your lungs. If you have chest pain with back pain, it is wise to see a doctor. Otherwise, your pain is likely a sign that your back muscles are unhealthy and need attention. Breathing shouldn't be a pain; begin your back pain management plan sooner rather than later.

Lower Back Pain Relief - A Little Known Exercise That Works Wonders

I have had surgery on my back for disc damage which provided lower back pain relief. The damage was basically caused by use and abuse. The whole process has turned me into a person like a reformed smoker! I know how simple it is (now!) to look after my back and the fine line that exists between avoiding surgery and needing surgery. For example, I very rarely bend over to pick up things off the ground I always squat - it has become a habit.

We will talk about four sets of muscles:

- Traversus abdominus muscles that are deep muscles at the base of your back.

- Rectus abdominus muscles or "the Six Pack" or "Washboard Abs" that are surface muscles.

- Erector Spinae muscles that run longitudinally down each side of your spine.

- Gluteus maximus is the largest of the gluteal muscles (Butt or Bum muscles).

I believe I was very fortunate with the rehabilitation I had and the great physiotherapist who looked after me. At the time I misunderstood the value of light resistive exercise and the importance of isolating muscle blocks to provide lower back pain relief. The exercise I will show you is very simple indeed but not easy to do - it is very specific. This is because it involves flexing the little known Traversus abdominus muscles that are deep muscles. In contrast to the well known Rectus abdominus muscles or "the Six Pack" or "Washboard Abs" that are surface muscles.

This exercise requires some learning and it falls in the basket of less is better. But the results I have had from using it regularly have been amazing.

Jay, my physiotherapist, introduced me to one of the pieces of apparatus designed by Joseph Pilates called the "Reformer" using pre-tensioned springs on a moving platform. Pilates developed an exercising philosophy that involves resistive activity and the isolation of muscle blocks for rehabilitation and improved stability. Going through this course using the Reformer educated me to the fact that weights and dumbbells are not the only methods to give us lower back pain relief and to increase muscle tone.

I don't know what we could call this exercise - perhaps the Tummy Button or Tummy Button Flex! Maybe we could call it the Umbilicus exercise (the scientific name for the tummy button).

The Exercise Routine.

Standing in a normal position place the index finger of which ever hand you feel is best in your tummy button. OK this sounds a bit weird but is only to teach you by touch which muscles to flex and by how much. Once you learn the process you can do the exercise sitting. Now the first thing to do is relax your stomach muscles -with your finger still in place.

Now pull in and hold your lower stomach musclesto a position that is easy to hold. Your stomach should move in about 3-5 cm (1-2inches) from the relaxed state, that's all. Imagine you have a string from behind you that is attached to your tummy button and the string is pulled so that your tummy button moves in about 3-5 cms (1-2 inches).

Now we come to the exercise. I have to emphasize that doing this as described is vital i.e. very important to getting the most from this activity. It took me a two or three days before I could do it consistently without using my finger.

It's just one of those things where you develop a knack of how to do it.

With your stomach muscles "in" and your finger in place we need to move our tummy button further in just a small amount more, say 1.5 - 2.0 cms (1/2 - 3/4 inch), and then let it out only by the same amount. Your finger is only used to "feel" or help localize the movement (sort of coordinate things) but do not to push with the finger.

By now you will have guessed that the exercise involves moving your tummy button in and out this small amount with your finger as the "sensor". It is important that the movement is restricted to the distance mentioned because in doing so you are isolating these deep muscles that will support the back properly. Once you have got the hang of this small muscle movement and you can do it on a consistent basis, you won't need your finger and you will find that you can do it sitting down as long as your back is straight but relaxed.

Do this exercise 10 times (in-out is one time) and have a breather, then do another 10, if you are doing it correctly you will notice which muscles in your lower back you are exercising! You will know that you have been working some muscles because you will get a "warmed up muscle" feeling. These muscles are the ones that support your back and provide you with lower back pain relief.

I suggest at the start do 3 sets of 10 reps. Depending on the state of these muscles, you may have to lower the number of reps. You may find that you have difficulty keeping a regular rate when you start, this is natural as the muscles you are exercising are being specifically worked for the first time and may get tired quickly so coordination may become difficult..

Doing this exercise regularly, at your desk at work, waiting for the bus, watching television etc., will be very good for your lower back pain relief and support.

A Tip.

In the future when you pick up something heavy from a low level or the floor - you will already know not to use your back like a crane, but to keep your back in a fixed posture and flex your leg muscles!! - Here is some advice: Don't push your stomach muscles out (flex your abs) when you lift as most people tend to do, but instead when you lift, just pull your tummy button in like you do in the exercise above and this will help stabilize your back putting less strain on it.

Another Tip.

If you have to stand for long periods of time then practice the following:

Standing tall relax your shoulders - this may give you the feeling that you have "shrugged" your shoulders, that is, stooped a bit, but if you look in a mirror you haven't.

Now completely relax your Gluteus muscles (Butt or Bum muscles) and this will tend to relax your Erector Spinae muscles that run longitudinally down your back.

You see standing "normally" without relaxing shoulder or your "glute" muscles tends to tension the Erector spinae muscles which will provide upright support but unfortunately will also tend to compress the spine making lower back pain relief impossible and this is not good!

I have found this exercise to be by far the most effective for stabilizing my back. Don't let it's simplicity fool you, the muscles you are exercising are very powerful and are the best for true back support. So it is my hope exercising these muscles is as beneficial for your back as it has been for mine.

Alleviate Low Back Pain

The number one cause of work compensation injuries in the U. S. is low back pain. If this leads to surgery the total cost can exceed $175,000 very easily to the employer not to mention the anguish, loss of income and pain and suffering to the employee. A "successful" spinal surgery is no pain for 1 year and this only happens in 25% of surgeries. The remaining 75% either stay the same or get worse, if they have a second failed back surgery, 80% of the patients commit suicide. Obviously surgery is not an option that should be taken lightly and without exploring all other possible avenues of treatment.

There are numerous ways that spinal surgery can be done but they almost all include cutting through 9 layers of muscles to get to the spine which is going to entail 9 layers of scar tissue for starters. One method is to cut out or scrape out the disc which is the spacer between the bones of the spine and can break down in various degrees, from getting a weak spot and a resulting bulge of the inner material (slipped disc) which is kind of like a pimple that then puts pressure on the nerve and causes the pain or other resulting abnormal effects to the body. The next thing that can happen is the "pimple" can break open and spills its contents onto the spinal nerves which causes the patients symptoms. This type of surgery is attempting to take the irritating material off of the nerve.

Another type of surgery is where they have to cut off the back half of the vertebra and throw it away which is called a laminectomy. They then try to create more stability by chiseling bone fragments off of the patients hips to fill in the gap created by the removal of the back of the vertebra and the bone above, it is then used as an anchor to try to get to the two bones to grow together which is called spinal fusion. Yet another method is to inject an enzyme into the disc that causes it to be digested so there is no remaining disc, theoretically, to cause symptoms. There are also other approaches from a surgical viewpoint but they all have the same 25% success rate as there has not been any improvement in surgical results in the 40 plus years I have been a chiropractor, the only thing new is the ways that have been tried.

The chiropractic approach is to find the cause of the pain, usually this is because of an involvement of the nervous system (a "pinched nerve") and remove by one of several ways thus enabling the patients body to once again heal itself as it is designed to do. This is done without the use of drugs, which by definition all have side effects, and without surgery. This leads to a very safe type of care with the highest success rate of any methodology and this has been proven by numerous medical studies. The ways the cause can be removed are many. It has been researched that there are at least 250 different named techniques that chiropractors use to attempt to bring the body back to the point that it is able to heal itself and therefore allow the patient to return to healthy state. Alas, if returning to health was that easy everyone could get in a much better state easily, but there are other areas that influence the bodies health and ability to heal itself.

One of which is nutrition which has went downhill significantly over just my lifetime. This is because of numerous chemicals that have been added into the food chain. Food that has had the nutritional value destroyed in many ways. Trying to eat what was normal in the past doesn't give you the same nutrition now because it is being grown in nutrition depleted soils and the nutrients are simply not there. This necessitates needing to take vitamins and minerals to get what the body needs to function. This at least can be handled in an affordable way now with the much better nutrition information and products that are available, ie. many if not most of my patients basic needs can be handled with only 4 products.

One also has to exercise as what we do not use, we lose. A regular exercise program done 3-4 times per week can cause an enormous change in health when the other health factors are kept in also.

There are also a multitude of poisons that we can be exposed to, from automobile exhaust to brushing our teeth (read the warning on your tube of toothpaste sometime). The problem with many types of chemicals are that they are stored in the bodies fat cells for an undetermined time, possibly for many years or until that fat cell breaks down and the poison is then released into the body again. A famous example of this is the "free trip" one can get years after they had taken LSD. This could happen to them at any time and anywhere with sometimes life threatening results when it is released into the blood stream again.

So to get and keep your health:
1) Eat good, healthy foods and take the needed supplements.
2) Stay away from poisons.
3) Exercise regularly.
4) Get your spine checked for nerve blocks regularly and remove them if found by your Junction City KS chiropractor so that the body can do what it was designed to do which is heal itself.

Low Back Pain and Sciatica - We Reap What We Sow

Hi there and thanks for taking the time to read this article. It's been some time since I last posted, so I thought I would go 'back to basics' with regard to low back pain and sciatica and also my views on how it should be treated.

I will elaborate more on some of the points I make with future articles, but for now I just thought I'd give an outline on what I feel should form the foundation of any treatment used to treat low back pain and sciatica.

I believe that (nearly) always, especially with regard to non-specific low back pain, we develop low back pain and sciatica as a consequence of the stresses we place upon our lower back and sciatica nerve.

As we go about our day-to-day activities, our low back is involved in pretty much every movement we perform or posture we adopt, with each of these postures and movements placing a degree of stress across our lower back. These stresses are ones which our low back is more than capable of tolerating and therefore it will not complain at all. However, everyone of us will have individual threshold levels for these stresses, and once this threshold level is breached, pain will result.

The subsequent pain that is felt is our body's way of letting us know the stresses being placed across certain structures of our low back (or sciatica nerve) are now potentially damaging it. This pain is our body asking us to remove these inappropriate stresses. The problem is if we do not listen to this message from our body or do not know how to identify and address the reasons as to why we are feeling pain, the pain is likely to stay the same (at best) or increase.

Other things, in addition to incorrect postures and movement patterns, which may be taking place and potentially compounding or complicating the low back pain and/or sciatica being felt are that certain soft tissues and muscles of the lower back may be tightening up and muscles may also be weakening. Some joints of the lower back may be stiffening up as well. All of these can contribute to and exacerbate the pain we are already feeling.

So how do we go about treating it then?

The aim of any treatment should be about getting to the cause of the problem i.e. identifying and correcting the incorrect postures or movement patterns which have placed too much stress across the low back and sciatic nerve and therefore contributed to the pain in the first place. There will likely be a need to identify and correct any tightness and/or weakness present as well. This is because tightness and weakness also contributes significantly to low back pain and sciatica and a 'chicken and egg' scenario is often present due to the fact that incorrect postures and movement patterns can lead to tightness and weakness, and tightness and weakness can also lead to incorrect postures and movement patterns.

As far as I am concerned, it is all well and good having certain joints clicked and cracked or maybe soft tissue massage to help loosen up things (before I go any further, it is important I state here I am a huge advocate of massage as a part of treatment for low back pain and sciatica) but if we are not going to address the reasons (causes) as to why those joints or soft tissues have tightened up in the first place, they are just going to tighten up again at a later date.

I believe this is one of the reasons why I have treated many people who have been seeing their practitioner for many months (and sometimes even years) in order to 'have their spine put back into place' (or words to that effect). To me this is evidence that the underlying cause is not being addressed and therefore things keep on tightening and stiffening up again. Some tightness or stiffness may well be being addressed, but the cause of the problem is not. Consequently, with the cause of the problem still being there, those same structures which are tightening and stiffening up are going to continue to do so!

This goes back to my original point and the title of this article: Low back Pain & Sciatica - we reap what we sow. If we have developed low back pain or sciatica, we have likely developed it for a reason i.e. we are doing something which is placing prolonged and inappropriate stresses across the low back and sciatic nerve. Therefore, the onus must absolutely be to identify and address that cause.

That is why I developed my Personalised Treatment Approach, as I believe that the majority of people suffering with low back pain and sciatica are more than capable of identifying and addressing the cause of their pain themselves, ruling out the need to see the likes of myself and other health professionals to 'have their back fixed'. If you know what to look for in order to identify the cause of your low back pain and sciatica, and then how to address this cause, nearly everyone is more than capable of treating and resolving their pain themselves.

As I mentioned above, I will be elaborating more on some of the points above with future articles, but I will also will be posting new articles as well.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this article, I' be back again with another article soon.

Paul.

McKenzie Method For Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) remains a challenging condition to manage, one that carries a significant socioeconomic burden. There are a plethora of non-surgical treatments for CLBP, which can overwhelm stakeholders such as patients, third party payers, health care providers, researchers, and policy makers. Although all involved should strive for the most effective treatment that utilizes minimal health care resources, there is often clinical uncertainty as to which treatment is most appropriate for the individual patient.

In order to better understand the state of existing literature on non-surgical treatments for CLBP, the North American Spine Society sponsored a special focus issue of The Spine Journal. This review of the McKenzie method was one of the papers featured in this issue. An executive summary of background information and pertinent findings will be presented in this review.

Terminology/History of the McKenzie Method:

in 1958, the basis for the technique was discovered accidentally, when a patient with leg symptoms inadvertently lay prone in an extended position for about 10 minutes, after which he reported to McKenzie that his leg had not felt as good for weeks
studies on the McKenzie method began in 1990, including many studies that have been done on the concept of centralization
the McKenzie method includes both an assessment and an intervention component (NOTE: commonly in general practice and research, the term "McKenzie" is incorrectly applied when referring only to the application of extension exercises)
the assessment component aims to classify the patient into one of three syndromes, and is commonly referred to as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)
the main objective of the assessment is to achieve a pattern of pain response called "centralization"
Centralization: refers to the sequential and lasting abolition of distal referred symptoms, and subsequent reduction/elimination of spinal pain in response to a single direction of repeated movements or sustained postures
Directional Preference: refers to a particular direction of lumbosacral motion or sustained posture that cause symptoms to centralize, decrease, or even disappear while the individual's spinal motion simultaneously returns to normal

General Description:

The overall objective of the McKenzie method is patient self-management, which includes three important phases:
1. Educating and demonstrating to patients the benefits of positions and end range movements on their symptoms, and the aggravating effects of the opposite positions.

2. Educating patients in methods to maintain the reduction and elimination of their symptoms.

3. Educating patients how to regain full function of the lumbar spine without symptom recurrence.

Additional Points:

McKenzie noted that the value of a single direction of movement is frequently not apparent unless repeated a number of times to end range (it should be noted that often the initial attempts in a particular direction may increase symptoms)
provided that each direction of lumbar motion is tested repeatedly and to end-range, a directional preference can normally be identified
a regular McKenzie assessment includes a full medical history and physical examination, including assessment of response to repeated lumbar movements

Utilizing this information, patients can be classified into one of three mechanical syndromes proposed by McKenzie:

1. Derangement Syndrome: has the distinctive pain response of centralization with a directional preference.
2. Dysfunction Syndrome: found only in patients with chronic symptoms, characterized by intermittent pain produced only at end range in a single direction restricted movement. Unlike derangement, there is no rapid change in symptoms or ROM as a result of performing repeated motions.
3. Postural Syndrome: typically not seen in chronic LBP, is intermittent in nature, located in the midline and is provoked by sustained slouch sitting. Symptoms are typically abolished by correction of sitting posture (normally restoration of lumbar lordosis).

Management According to McKenzie Syndrome Classification:

Derangement Syndrome: aim is to rapidly centralize and eliminate all symptoms while restoring normal lumbar motion
Dysfunction Syndrome: treatment is intentionally aimed at reproducing the symptoms at end range so that the short, painful structure can be adequately lengthened in order to heal and become pain-free over time
Postural Syndrome: education is aimed at improving posture, which will remove undue physical stress from involved tissue and improve symptoms
it is important to note that each patient requires individualized exercises, and no generic prescription of exercises will suffice
for a minority of patients, generally those with chronic LBP, the end range force they can generate will be insufficient to eliminate pain - in these instances, clinicians can provide manual assistance/pressure to the movements, and even progress to spinal manipulation/mobilization in the patient's directional preference

Evidence Surrounding the McKenzie Method and Centralization:

at least six studies have demonstrated that centralization is a positive prognostic factor for LBP (i.e. those who "centralize" with a particular movement or direction have better outcomes)
in fact, a recent systematic review1 on centralization concluded that, when elicited, centralization predicts a high probability of positive treatment outcome when treatment is guided by assessment findings
two studies have demonstrated that centralization is a more important prognostic indicator than fear-avoidance and work-related issues
further, failure to change pain location on assessment (non-centralization) has been shown to be a poor prognostic indicator and a predictor of poor behavioral response to spinal pain
although seemingly evident, in the literature there is some indication that those patients with mechanical LBP that is affected by posture will respond favorably to directional exercises
in many published clinical guidelines, the interventional component of the McKenzie method has been mentioned, while the assessment component has been overlooked
two systematic reviews2,3 on the McKenzie method have been conducted - both concluding that there was limited evidence relating to chronic LBP, but also suggesting that small benefits were noted versus a variety of comparison treatments
a third systematic review4 on physical therapy-directed exercise interventions after classification by symptom response methods (included mixed duration LBP patients), concluded that exercise implemented based on patient response was significantly better than control or comparison interventions (4/5 studies investigated McKenzie method, all scored 6+ on PEDro scale indicating high quality)
studies investigating the reliability of the McKenzie assessment have produced mixed results - further studies are required
there are numerous ongoing studies on the McKenzie method, including subgroup determination in CLBP, clinical prediction rules, comparative prognostic value studies, anatomical studies, and treatment RCTs

Conclusions & Practical Application:

The McKenzie method certainly has a role to play in the overall assessment and management of low back pain. It has the potential to reliably classify patients into groups based on directional preference, which have distinctly different treatment and self-management needs. It is relatively simple, and straightforward in its approach. Considering the recent emphasis in the literature on sub-grouping LBP patients in the context of a Clinical Prediction Rule (which does include a category for directional exercise), research attention paid to the McKenzie method, MDT, and the centralization phenomenon should continue to rise. Such classification approaches can help guide clinical decision making, and improve treatment outcomes for LBP patients.

Facet Joint Pain Is One Of The Main Causes Of Low Back Pain & Neck Pain

Are you suffering from facet joint pain? Try to answer the following questions. Are you suffering from back pain or neck pain that is not going up to your fingers or toes? Does your neck or back pain moves up to shoulder or buttock? Does your pain increase with backward movement and turning around? If your answer is yes for all the questions, you are probably suffering from facet joint pain.

Diseases in the Facet joint are one of the main reasons of the spinal pain (neck pain, back pain, low back pain). Survey shows that facet joint pain is responsible for 15-45% of low back pain, 42-48% of back pain, 54-68% of neck pain in general population.

In most of the cases this problem cannot be correctly diagnosed because of inconsistent results of imaging techniques. Only when the problem gets worse the facet joint arthropathy can be seen in X-ray, CT Scan, and MRI. Again, facet joint arthropathy in these imaging does not mean that they are responsible for pain.

The gold standard in diagnosis of facet joint pain is diagnostic facet joint block. It is very simple; local anesthetic drug is injected into your facet joint or nerve supplying the joint. If your pain is relieved then you are suffering from facet joint pain.

Now it is diagnosed that you are suffering from facet joint pain. Question is: how to solve this problem? Mainly there are two processes to solve this problem. Firstly, we can give local Anaesthetic and Depo-steroid injection into the facet joint. In the second process Medial Branch nerve that supplies the facet joint is blocked or ablated.

In the first process your pain will be relieved, but you can't get long-term relief. The second one is more effective than the first one. Here Radio Frequency Generator is used either to ablate the nerve with conventional radio frequency, or pain signal is blocked with pulsed radio frequency without any damage of the nerve.

Is it Better to Use Heat Or Ice For Lower Back Pain, Aches and Spasms?

The immediate management of an lower back injury is incredibly important and the correct management early can take weeks or months off your rehabilitation time. Self management of back aches and back injury is an important aspect of any rehabilitation, and the initial management of back injuries can have a huge impact in the length and quality of recovery. In the case of lower back pain, there are many different things that can be done initially to assist with management. One of the easiest things to do is to apply ice to the spine to assist with decreasing the blood flow. Although, many people prefer to use heat packs on their lower back as it feels better.

So which one should you use for your back injury? Firstly, we need to look at the benefits of heat and ice on the body so that the next time pain strikes, you know whether to head to the freezer or microwave.

Ice Ice is most effectively used in the initial management of mechanical or forceful soft tissue injuries. Many people would have heard of the R.I.C.E (or R.I.C.E.R) regime. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and Referral (to Physio / Doctor). Ice, along with rest, compression and elevation is used to help decrease blood flow to the affected area. With a decreased blood flow, swelling is decreased, reducing the effects of secondary damage, back spasms and promoting a better quality and faster recovery.

In the case of lower back pain and back injury, ice is always the best bet. Preventing excessive blood flow also decreases the likelihood of scar tissue formation, which has significant impact on the quality of healing and the length of the rehabilitation. Cutting down on the rehabilitation time will help prevent acute lower back pain becoming chronic.

The Problem with Scar Tissue When a low back muscle is torn, you would expect that the body would repair the muscle and allow for full movement again. In reality, this doesn't happen. The tear, or rupture, is repaired with scar tissue. Scar tissue is made from a very brittle, inflexible fibrous material. This fibrous material binds itself to the damaged soft tissue fibers in an effort to draw the damaged fibers back together. What results is a bulky mass of fibrous scar tissue completely surrounding the injury site. In some cases it's even possible to see and feel this bulky mass under the skin around the bones of the lower back.

When scar tissue forms around an injury site, it is never as strong as the tissue it replaces. It also has a tendency to contract and deform the surrounding tissues, so not only is the strength of the tissue diminished, but flexibility of the tissue is also compromised. Using Ice will decrease the likelihood of scar tissue formation, improving the quality and integrity of the tissue and decreasing the likelihood of lower back pain.

Heat Heat is effectively used to help decrease the intensity of muscle spasm, back ache, back spasms and tightness, generally associated with more chronic long term injuries. The application of a heat pack (and to a lesser extent heat based gel creams) can improve blood flow and muscle fiber flexibility, decreasing tension and back spasms and leading to an overall decrease in back aches and pain levels. Sufferers of chronic lower back spasms, back aches and neck pain will often find the application of a heat pack allows for greater freedom of movement and decreased aching.

As mentioned before, ice is used to effectively manage swelling in an acute injury. For the first 72 hours, the use of ice is very important, just as importantly is the avoidance of heat. As discussed in the previous paragraph, heat helps to promote blood flow, and heat in the initial 72 hours will further increase bleeding and swelling. However, after these initial stages, heat can be used to effectively manage swelling and other symptoms.

Following acute soft tissue injuries, no matter how much ice used, you will generally notice a localized area of swelling around the damaged tissue. This swelling is generally a waste product following the damage of the original injury. Whilst there is still swelling around an injured area, new fresh blood flow to the area, full of important nutrients and oxygen, is hampered. The use of a heat pack on the lower back can help increase the overall blood flow. This increased blood flow will help to remove the waste products with each cycle around the body - removing the swelling and improving the availability of fresh blood. Fresh blood brings with it fresh nutrients, improving the quality of rehabilitation and decreasing scar tissue formation as discussed as above.

Picture your lower back injury like a car accident (for many people, lower back pain is like a major car accident). Multiple things occur immediately following injury to the lower back. In many cases, the initial injury is only mild to moderate, but the other issues of muscle spasm, pain inhibition, swelling and scar tissue formation lead to longer and more chronic lower back pain.

When we initially suffer a back injury and cause damage to our lower back, if we do the correct things (such as ice) then excess blood flow, swelling and secondary damage is prevented. Pain inhibition of the muscles is decreased and secondary protective back spasm is decreased. If we try and work through the pain, more systems become involved in the process, more damage is caused to an already unstable joint, more swelling occurs preventing fresh blood flow to the area, more muscles will spasm to protect a greater area, and consequently more lower back pain and suffering is felt.

Longer term, heat packs do help in decreasing back aches and back spasm and assisting in increasing blood flow and removing swelling, thereby decreasing lower back pain temporarily. However, this will generally provide short term relief only and is akin to shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.

Low Back Pain Exercises - Superstitions About The Amazing Back Pain Cure Exposed

Everybody has experienced back pain at least once in their lives, but long time sufferers will know just how taxing it can be not only to the body, but also to one's emotions and finances. It makes simple tasks like lifting, bending, and carrying things difficult. In severe cases, it can even necessitate bed rest, which can compromise productivity, and eventually affect one's quality of life.

While there are many available treatments for lumbar ache, they each have their own drawbacks. For instance, regular physical therapies can be expensive and take too much of one's time, and use of analgesics may in the long run foster dependence. One treatment modality gaining popularity nowadays is the practice of low back pain exercises.

Not Just for Symptom Alleviation
The major advantage of this treatment system is its focus not only on alleviation, but also on the prevention of symptoms. When trunk muscles and its supporting ligaments are in tiptop shape, the spinal cord is afforded maximum protection; there is more support for range of movement; and proper posture will be easier to maintain. Protection of the spinal cord is very important as spinal nerve damage and nerve degeneration are two main causes of lumbar soreness.

In his instructional video, Tom Nicholson explains and demonstrates proper posture, effective body mechanics, and various low back pain exercises. These require no sophisticated equipment, and can be performed even in the comfort of one's home, significantly cutting back on one's medical expenses. Viewers are also given pointers for making sound health assessments, and tips for maximizing their mobility and comfort.

For Sufferers and Non-sufferers
Performing back exercises is recommended whether or not one is experiencing symptoms. As one grows older, the body undergoes normal degenerative changes. The stooping that occurs with old age is the effect of a decrease in bone density and muscle mass. Strengthening the spine's supporting muscles therefore can prevent the development of posture problems that come naturally with age. This is what makes the treatment system especially helpful: even when one is free from lumbar aches, he or she can still continue with the program to prevent recurrence in the future. It is a treatment and preventive measure in one, how great is that?

Long time sufferers should definitely try these routines, although it may not work well with everyone. People with severe symptoms may find some work out routines difficult to do, and people with no patience for regular exercise may not benefit much from the program. As with any other work out program, the rewards of low back pain exercises can only be felt if they are done regularly.

Try It Out
Back pain is a very subjective experience - its character, threshold, and even its measures of alleviation varying from one person to another. For those looking into an alternative means for back problem management, Tom Nicholson's low back pain exercise system is worth a try. It is inexpensive, readily available on the internet, and even has a money back guarantee. Sometimes the most effective treatments are neither the most expensive nor customary.

7 Tricks to Help Your Back Pain

Are you like thousands of others adults who suffer from back pain? Are you struggling with sciatica or lower back pain? Is your day less enjoyable as back pain stops you doing the activities you wish to do?

Well there are some simple tricks you can apply that can make your life better. Sure you still need to remove your back pain, and you can do this easily - in fact it is trick #8, a special treat just for you.

Back to the tips and tricks though...

Follow these tricks below and you will find back pain will ease. These are best applied if you don't have back pain, and wish to make sure you stay that way. As the saying goes - prevention is easier than cure!

With back pain this is doubly so, you need to stop your back pain before it starts. The statistics are frightening...

Over 80% of adults suffer from back pain at some stage. Back pain is the second most common reason to visit your doctor, behind the common cold only. Back pain is likely to affect you at some time so now is the best time to do something about it.

Follow these simple 7 tricks and you can avoid becoming one of the statistics.

Tip 1. Stand upright and pay attention to posture - don't slouch. This does not mean to stand in a military type posture, but stand in a relaxed manner. Hard to do if you have back pain, but more on that in trick #8.

Tip 2. Sit upright at your desk with your lower back slightly curved. Don't slump in your chair or hunch over your keyboard. Set your workstation up correctly - screen at eye level. Try and sit on your sitting bones (the bony part of your buttock) as this helps to distribute your weight evenly and remove pressure off your back.

Tip 3. Change your position frequently. Get up and walk around every 20-30 minutes even if it's only for 30 seconds. Back pain is usually from your spine tiring out - getting up and moving helps to change your posture and stop spinal fatigue.

Tip 4. Water. Drink lots of it! Your discs between your spine are fluid, if you lack water these lack strength. Also muscles require good fluid levels and your back pain will heal faster if your body is not dehydrated.

Tip 5. Do specific back strengthening and relaxing exercises. Muscles are the most common cause of pain, although why muscles cause pain is the true underlying cause. You need to strengthen the weak muscles and relax the tense muscles. Simple to do if you know how - see http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/back-exercises.html

Tip 6. Target the muscles that cause 90% of lower back pain. Your Abdominal muscles, Hip Flexors and Erector Spinae group of muscles are the main muscles that de-stabilize your lower back. These muscles are the ones that create the imbalances that lead to most back pain. Change these and also mobilize your joints and you will not become a back pain statistic.

Tip 7. Push rather than pull heavy objects. If you're lifting something heavy, use your leg muscles and hold it close to your body. Don't bend over and strain your back. Most back pain comes from doing seemingly innocuous activities. It is rare for adults to tell their doctor that pain came from a large fall. It is usually from lifting their child, lifting a chair, shifting furniture etc. If you lift correctly then you are less likely to create that last stress that triggers your back pain...

But!

Most back pain occurs from a build up of tension. Physical and emotional tensions are equal causes of back pain. The most important trick you can implement to not only remove your back pain, but prevent it also is...

Tip 8: Learn to balance your spine, to remove stress and get rid of back pain once and for all. There are many techniques you can do at home to relax muscles, to strengthen the weakened muscles and to mobilize joints. Add in ways to speed your healing and recovery rates and learn ways to prevent back pain and you can be free of back pain completely and permanently.

If you want to learn to help your self and be free of back pain once and for all! - you must read this!

Back Pain - 7 Potentially Fatal Causes

Your back hurts. So what? Everybody has a little back pain now and then.

But what if it could kill you?

Most people suffer back pain as the result of daily stresses on the structural support of the body: the bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments in and around the spine. Just as a car gets rusty with age, the human body succumbs to the effects of gravity over the years. Aches and sprains, muscle pulls and strains, are part of life from middle-age onward.

However, back pain may be the result of other abnormalities within the body, several of which can cause death, whether in minutes or years. It's wise to think twice when your back starts hurting. Was it too much yardwork over the weekend or perhaps something else?

Here are 7 potentially fatal causes of back pain:

1. Aortic aneurysm. The large artery that carries blood away from the heart sometimes weakens with age and balloons outward, like a weak spot on a tire. If the aorta ruptures, massive internal bleeding may occur, sometimes causing death within minutes. Fairly often the pain from a damaged aorta is felt the back. If the vessel is stretching slowly with time, the pain may be chronic or intermittent in nature. If the vessel is rupturing quickly, the pain is usually intense and accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, abdominal pain, and faintness. If you have a strange back pain, different than your usual pattern, it's best to consult your doctor. If the pain is abrupt and severe, call 911.

2. Cancer and tumors. Both cancer originating in the bones of the back and cancer that spreads to the back from another location commonly cause back pain. A benign tumor of the spinal cord and vertebrae may also produce pain, as the enlarging mass presses on sensitive structures. The pain may occur with movement or at rest, but tends to worsen over time and may be severe. Any back pain that persists or worsens with time should be professionally evaluated.

3. Infection. When bacteria invade the deep structures of the body, such as the bones, discs, and spinal cord, serious infection may ensue. These infections are fairly uncommon and may go unrecognized until the process is quite advanced. Kidney and lung infections may cause back pain as well, and are often dismissed as nothing more than a back strain. When any of these conditions is untreated, bacteria may enter the blood stream and cause sepsis, a potentially fatal infection of the blood. When infection is the cause of back pain, other symptoms may be present as well, for example fever, nausea, and sweating. Again, see your doctor if these symptoms occur.

4. Pancreatitis. When the pancreas becomes inflamed for whatever reason, the enzymes that are designed to help digest your food may begin digesting your own body instead. Usually this produces nausea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain, but may produce back pain as well. Pancreatitis may cause internal bleeding, dehydration, elevated blood sugar, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, and death. Alcohol abuse and gallstones are among the common causes. Call your doctor or go to the ER if you experience these symptoms.

5. Penetrating ulcer. Just as pancreatic juices may eat through the pancreas and other abdominal structures, so may stomach acid burn a hole through the duodenum or stomach. When this happens, internal bleeding occurs and the stomach contents spill into the abdominal cavity, where they cause further destruction and infection. The pain of an ulcer may be felt in the abdomen, the chest, or the back. Heartburn or stomach pain in association with back pain may be an indication of an ulcer and should be evaluated by a physician.

6. Inflammatory bowel disease. When the colon is inflamed the pain may be experienced in the abdomen, pelvis, or back. Inflammation may cause the bowel to perforate, similar to an ulcer, or cause a bowel obstruction. Either of these conditions is potentially fatal. Seek professional care for any abdominal pain accompanied by back pain.

7. Pulmonary embolism. Blood clots usually form deep inside the legs, where they may cause leg swelling, discomfort, and sometimes redness. When a clot dislodges and moves upward through the heart into the lungs, chest pain and/or back pain may occur, usually along with difficulty breathing. If the clot is large, it may obstruct air exchange and result in too little oxygen in the blood. Sudden onset of back pain associated with difficulty breathing may be a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) or even a heart attack. Don't drive yourself to the hospital - call 911.

The above examples illustrate that not all back pain is a simple matter. Fortunately, all of these conditions are fairly rare. If you've found your symptoms on the list, seek prompt medical attention.

On the other hand, if you have the same back pain that you get every time you weed your garden or mop the floor, take an aspirin and call your doctor in the morning.

Copyright 2010 Cynthia J. Koelker, M.D.

How to Reduce Low Back Pain by Using Resistance Bands

Low back pain has become one of the most common physical problems in today's' world. Only functional work out programs can strengthen our core abdominal muscles and help us get rid of this acute pain. These exercises can be efficiently performed with the help of resistance bands. Here are a few steps that you should follow:

繚 Start with lying down on the floor. Stretch your legs in a straight line towards the ceiling and wrap up the exercise band around them in such a manner that the soles of your feet rest on it. Hold the edges of the band in your hands and keep the back portion of your body on the floor. Now, try to pull your front ribs inward as if you are pinning your belly button to the rear of your spinal cord. It would help you work on your lower core abs.

繚 Bring your legs back to the earlier position gradually. Your lower core abs should be involved even this time too. However, do not place your legs on the floor directly. There will be a time when your heels will be right above the ground. Float them at that position for a while, and then draw the lower back abdominals as well as your legs back to the floor. The entire work out should be repeated at least 10 to 12 times. Take rest once you are done with it.

繚 Now, start with lifting up your legs from the floorings once again. The ends of the resistance bands should still be in your hands. Slowly spread out your arms by your sides in a straight line. It would look just like the wings of birds. Then, bend your palms to make small fists. Make sure that your fists are anchored into the floor. At this position, try to place your tailbone on the ground. However, you should not compress your lower back abdominals this time. Also, try to keep the normal cervical as well as lumbar curve intact.

繚 Start bringing down your legs, but they should be inclined to the right side. All at once, turn your head to your left and look straight at the wall in front of you. Your core abdominals must be involved in this work out. Now, breathe out with the help of the core abs as you draw both legs jointly back to the centre from the right side. After completing this step, repeat the entire procedure by interchanging the positions of the legs. Repeat at least 10 to 12 more times and then take rest for some time.

繚 Now, roll off to your right side slowly. Your feet must be positioned facing your chest. Also, make sure that both your knees are bent properly. Once again, wrap up the exercise band around your feet. The two ends of the band should be in your hands. Then, lift up your chest and pull the axis of the 'sacrum' to the fore. At the same time, roll down the neural spine so that the backside of your body rests on the floor. Start breathing out once again by keeping your core abdominals involved, and roll back up to be seated. This exercise should also be done at least 10 to 12 times. Take rest once you are done with it.

Perform these work outs with your resistance bands regularly to work on your obliques, chest muscles, and lower belly muscles. These would certainly help you alleviate your low back pain to a great extent.

Back Pain and Fatigue - What is the Connection?

Have you ever noticed that you always somehow happen to experience back pain and fatigue at the same time? Of course, there are times when you might be experiencing both symptoms only because you stretched your own energy limits a bit much and over-exhausted yourself. But if you have been experiencing these symptoms for too long a period of time, then you should know that both fatigue and back pain are indeed connected with each other. Either of them can start off the vicious cycle, causing the other. So how are these two factors actually connected and what do you do about it? Read on to know more....

Moving on to find out more about how exactly back pain and fatigue are connected, let us first take up the back pain issue. The back is indeed the anchor of our body, supporting us and working along with us in every move we make. Back muscles are made up of an extensive network and are linked to the arms via shoulder muscles and to the legs via the hips. Hence, the back muscles control virtually all our movements. Why, these muscles work even when we are asleep. Considering all this hyper-activity, it is only common for the back to experience pain from time to time.

When we do not give the back its due rest, fatigue sets in over a period of time. The whole back starts hurting badly when we continue to ignore the initial pain. We still continue to be unmindful of how we sit, what posture we maintain while standing and walking, what body posture we adapt to lift weights and so on. Constant back pain obviously results in fatigue, as the body buckles under the strain of it all. So though we are not aware of it, our body sends us clear signals to slow down and take it easy.

Now let us look at the fatigue aspect alone. How is back pain caused by fatigue? Fatigue or weakness causes a person's whole body language to change. We tend to slouch or slump when we are tired and worn out. This creates a poor body posture, which in turn, gives rise to lower back pain. Not standing or sitting erect causes the back muscles to get knotted and cramped, resulting in poor oxygen and blood circulation to that area of the body.

Lack of exercise can also give rise to muscle fatigue and back pain, either one of the symptoms showing up first. Regular exercise loosens up the muscles and supplies blood circulation to the whole body, letting you feel instantly rejuvenated. Lack of exercise itself can cause tremendous exhaustion and lack of energy and enthusiasm.

It is of course advisable to rest a little if you are experiencing back pain and fatigue, especially if you have been over-reaching your stamina limits for too long. But remember never to do the rest bit either. Keep up moderate exercise as well, and you will again start feeling fit in no time at all!

Lower Right Back Pain - The Facts

Back pain is a very common condition, one which sufferers often visit their doctors to seek treatment for. The patient is looking for solutions or at minimum information pertaining to the problems that they are experiencing. The doctor may not be able to provide the information.

Lower Right Back Pain Information

The back is made up of the spine and vertebra the spinal column and nerves, ligaments, tendons muscles and this structure makes the back an incredibly flexible and mobile body area, but small changes in any of these components of the back can cause the back to become unbalanced, causing pain.
The following problems can occur which would cause such imbalances:

• Strained muscles


• Torn ligaments


• Joint stiffness


• Joint damage/ Injury


• Disc issues


• Nerve compression/Irritation


• Fractured bone

It is very common to experience stiffness, aching or pain in the lower back, lower right or lower left back. The reason is that the issues are common is because the lower back is susceptible since it is used when lifting, can be put out of balance through back posture as the upper body must be supported. This fact also leads to a higher likelihood of age related wear and tear being present, as we get older.

As mentioned previously, the lower right back pain can be caused by poor lifting technique, bad posture, or sporting injuries, and since the lower right and lower left back are made up of many muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and bones, these improper movements can cause injury or inflammation in one or more of these structures, leading to lower right back pain.

There are three types of muscles that broadly speaking act on the spine, and those are flexor, extensor and oblique muscles. The flexor muscles help you bend forward, or flex the spine, which would occur whilst lifting objects for example. The right flexor muscle may cause lower right back pain, the left flexor can also cause low right back pain due to imbalanced that might be cause by the left flexor.

The extensor muscles, which exist in the gluteal and lower back muscles and allow you to sit up straight, extending the spine may also become fatigued, or strained causing soreness. The lower right or lower left extensors may become inflamed or injured and cause back pain.

The oblique muscles, which attach to the sides of the spine, allow rotation of the spine allowing you to turn. Injury or straining of these muscles can cause a large number of problems due to imbalances that will likely occur.

In addition to simple muscle strain, injury to ligaments, joints, and bones can also cause muscle pain. If one of these structures is injured or inflamed, back muscles can go into spasm, drastically limiting your movement and cause pain in the lower right back.

Stress is a common cause of pain in the lower right back. Stress will make your back muscles tighten. This happens to every muscle in the body, as we move into a "fight or flight" response. Muscles that are tightened lack the energy they need to support the spine. If the stress is frequent, and measures are not taken immediately to relieve it, lower right back pain can easily develop.

Severe Lower Right Back Pain

Lower right back pain that lasts more than two week is duration or if the pain is intense and does not ease for a week, or you experience numbness or tingling, then immediate medical advice should be sought. It may mean that rest is required, or medication to take down inflammation or a battery of tests needs to be done to find out the cause. Whilst rest may be recommended, it is still a good idea to do a small amount of exercise, 30 minutes a day if possible, to prevent the muscles from weakening, or the joints from seizing up.

If the muscles weaken, they will not protect or support the back as completely, and so may result in further unnecessary injury. The rest / severe back pain event cycle will continue, with the situation becoming worse every time, unless care is taken to prevent the cycle from continuing.

Symptoms of Lower Right Back Pain

To be able to fully and quickly treat back pain, you need to be aware of the causes of lower right back pain, and the symptoms that may be experienced. This can involve understanding what location the pain is felt in, the type of pain, and the severity of that pain. Does the pain move around, or is it concentrated in one area?

1. Numbness in buttocks or extending down leg - You may have a herniated disc - see a doctor immediately. This may also be sciatica caused by a trapped nerve, in which case you may want to consider consulting a chiropractor.


2. Pain from twisting, or bending? - You may have pulled a muscle, or you may have a herniated disc - see you doctor.


3. Blood in the urine - You may have a kidney issue. See a doctor immediately.

Lower Right Back Pain Treatments

The pain can be helped by having stronger more mobile muscles in the back, as they will be better able to support the spine, and prevent further issues.
If the spine is stiff, and not in the neutral position, it is worthwhile visiting a chiropractor to get your spine reset toward the neutral position. This course of treatment will not happen immediately, but really does work.

Gentle exercise initially, to build up the strength in the back should be performed, and nothing that causes intense pain. You're doing it wrong, or have another issue if that happens, in which case visit your doctor. Any exercise should also be accompanies by gentle stretching both before and after exercise.