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Peter, 43, is an active man who prides himself on his fitness. He does a lot of jogging, cycling, yoga and of course plays active games with his 3 kids, aged 8, 11 and 13.

He was getting aware of a worsening pain in the lower back, which at times   seemed to spread into his buttocks and down his right leg. As a consequence that leg at times felt  weaker than usual, sometimes even numb.

These symptoms are typi­cal of a pinched nerve in the back. The nerves to the legs exit the spine in the lower back, so if they are pinched, pain, weakness or numbness in a leg may result. But how exactly does a nerve become pinched?

Our backs are made of many small bones called vertebrae, arranged in a vertical but S-shaped column. This shape helps in shock absorption and provides flexibility to our body, respectively back. Between one vertebrae and the next we have a soft cushion called a spinal disc. These disks also give our backs their flexibility and are an im­portant part in shock absorption.

But, as we get older, these discs may become damaged and bulge out or even rup­ture. At this point it is called a herniated or prolapsed disc. But if the damaged disc then begins to press on the spinal cord or nerves in the spine we can experience nerve pinching and pain which in severe cases can even lead to immobility.

In general symptoms like weak­ness, numbness or tingling are the result of nerve pinching. As this occurs most commonly in the lower back, to be precise in the area of the lumbar vertebra 4, 5 and sacral vertebra 1, the nerves to the lower limbs are affected, and hence that is where the symptoms are felt. The pain is often a rather sharp pain, sometimes it can also be felt as a dull pain and is called sciatica. This comes from the sciatic nerve which is mostly being pinched in this lower back when the described symptoms occur.

On examination we might find that a patient’s leg is weaker on the pain affected side and that the reflexes on this side are not as brisk. We would also expect that an area over the lower back where the nerve is pinched would be tender on touch.

Immediate therapy for sciatica includes rest, pain relief and avoiding ac­tivities that aggravate the condition. In order to relax the pain you can also take an anti inflammatory or a pain killer but you should as quick as possible see a therapist of your choice.

But what choices do you have?

Well there is of course your GP who will give you various options of pain treatment. Then there is physio therapy which might help given you are doing all the exercises on a regular basis for quite some time, even when you don’t feel the pain anymore. And chiropractic or osteopathic treatments which can be long and painful for your wallet and in some cases very traumatic for your body, depending how you respond to high velocity movement treatments and manipulation.

But now there is also a new treatment available called Dorn Spinal Therapy. This gentle but very effective treatment form comes from Germany and over there is now one of the most sought after treatment for any kind of back pain and for many people has proven to be the one and only treatment that has helped them overcome years of pain and unsuccessful treatments. Dorn Spinal Therapy is a holistic treatment which involves leg length balancing, balancing of the sacro-iliac area and alignment of the vertebrae. All in a non violent procedure and with very few treatment repetitions. For more information please go to www.backcaresolutions.net  Dorn Spinal Therapy is ideal when combined with massage therapy or any other treatments adressing muscular skelettal issues and the results speak for themselves. So why go to use drugs or other invasive treatments when there is a real alternative to fix a crook back.

A dull

Barbara E Simon

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Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in a lack of space to accommodate the nerves.

The spinal canal contains the nerves that connect to the skin and muscles of the legs. A normal size canal has sufficient space to hold these nerves. But, as a person ages, the canal is subject to narrowing. The narrowing may not always result in problems. But if the narrowing causes pinching of the spinal nerves, problems will develop.

Spinal stenosis isn’t always caused by degeneration due to age. It can also be due to tumors, herniated discs, and injuries resulting from accidents. Spinal stenosis can even be present at birth but this is rare.

The symptoms of spinal stenosis vary depending upon the location of the compressed nerve. If the nerves in your neck or shoulder are pinched, you will experience pain in this area.

If the pressure is on the nerves that control your balance, you will tend to be clumsy or fall easily.

When the stenosis results from a herniated disc, the pain will begin in your hip or buttocks and travel down the back of your leg. In this case, the pain is confined to one side of your body but increases when you sit.

If the pinched nerves are in your lower lumbar region, you can have a condition known as false claudication. People with this problem have pain and cramping in their legs make it difficult to stand straight in one position for long periods of time. Sitting down relieves the discomfort. Walking is easier when bending forward which is why many people with spinal stenosis prefer to shop at stores that have shopping carts. Leaning forward on the cart makes walking much easier. False claudication also makes downhill walking difficult.

There is another form of claudication called vascular claudication, which is a blockage in the arteries in the legs. This also causes pain and cramping but unlike false claudication, it gets worse when walking up hill and gets better when you stand still.

Other symptoms of spinal stenosis are numbness in the arms, hands, feet, or legs and loss of bladder or bowel control. People who experience the numbness need to be careful, as it is possible to injure the body part and not be aware of it due to reduced sensitivity.

Anyone have problems with bowel or bladder control need to consult their physician immediately.

Doctors use radiographs and MRI’s (magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose spinal stenosis. The radiographs show whether arthritis is present and if there is any slippage of the vertebrae. The MRI scan is needed to detect whether or not there is any pinching of the nerves. There are also special tests available for people who cannot have an MRI.

There are two basic types of treatment for spinal stenosis – surgical and nonsurgical.

Nonsurgical treatments involve physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and epidural steroid injections.

People need to be cautious about the anti-inflammatory medications as many of these have serious side effects. They should be thoroughly discussed with the doctor prior to taking the medications.

The steroid medication is injected directly into the nerve roots within the spinal canal. There are less side effects with this treatment and sometimes it will allow patients to avoid surgery.

The non-surgical treatments are only useful for providing relief from symptoms. They do not decrease the narrowing of the canal.

There are two types of surgical treatments. One, called decompression, consists of removing the bone and soft tissues that are pinching the nerve.

The other involves a spinal fusion during which two or more vertebrae are permanently fused together.

Surgery is usually viewed as a last resort to be attempted when all other treatments fail. However, if there is loss of bladder or bowel control, surgery will be performed immediately.

Brenda Williams

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Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal resulting in a lack of space to accommodate the nerves.

The spinal canal contains the nerves that connect to the skin and muscles of the legs. A normal size canal has sufficient space to hold these nerves. But, as a person ages, the canal is subject to narrowing. The narrowing may not always result in problems. But if the narrowing causes pinching of the spinal nerves, problems will develop.

Spinal stenosis isn’t always caused by degeneration due to age. It can also be due to tumors, herniated discs, and injuries resulting from accidents. Spinal stenosis can even be present at birth but this is rare.

The symptoms of spinal stenosis vary depending upon the location of the compressed nerve. If the nerves in your neck or shoulder are pinched, you will experience pain in this area.

If the pressure is on the nerves that control your balance, you will tend to be clumsy or fall easily.

When the stenosis results from a herniated disc, the pain will begin in your hip or buttocks and travel down the back of your leg. In this case, the pain is confined to one side of your body but increases when you sit.

If the pinched nerves are in your lower lumbar region, you can have a condition known as false claudication. People with this problem have pain and cramping in their legs make it difficult to stand straight in one position for long periods of time. Sitting down relieves the discomfort. Walking is easier when bending forward which is why many people with spinal stenosis prefer to shop at stores that have shopping carts. Leaning forward on the cart makes walking much easier. False claudication also makes downhill walking difficult.

There is another form of claudication called vascular claudication, which is a blockage in the arteries in the legs. This also causes pain and cramping but unlike false claudication, it gets worse when walking up hill and gets better when you stand still.

Other symptoms of spinal stenosis are numbness in the arms, hands, feet, or legs and loss of bladder or bowel control. People who experience the numbness need to be careful, as it is possible to injure the body part and not be aware of it due to reduced sensitivity.

Anyone have problems with bowel or bladder control need to consult their physician immediately.

Doctors use radiographs and MRI’s (magnetic resonance imaging) to diagnose spinal stenosis. The radiographs show whether arthritis is present and if there is any slippage of the vertebrae. The MRI scan is needed to detect whether or not there is any pinching of the nerves. There are also special tests available for people who cannot have an MRI.

There are two basic types of treatment for spinal stenosis – surgical and nonsurgical.

Nonsurgical treatments involve physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and epidural steroid injections.

People need to be cautious about the anti-inflammatory medications as many of these have serious side effects. They should be thoroughly discussed with the doctor prior to taking the medications.

The steroid medication is injected directly into the nerve roots within the spinal canal. There are less side effects with this treatment and sometimes it will allow patients to avoid surgery.

The non-surgical treatments are only useful for providing relief from symptoms. They do not decrease the narrowing of the canal.

There are two types of surgical treatments. One, called decompression, consists of removing the bone and soft tissues that are pinching the nerve.

The other involves a spinal fusion during which two or more vertebrae are permanently fused together.

Surgery is usually viewed as a last resort to be attempted when all other treatments fail. However, if there is loss of bladder or bowel control, surgery will be performed immediately.

Brenda Williams

Technorati Tags: Accidents, Arteries, Buttocks, Cart, herniated disc, Legs, Long Periods Of Time, Lumbar Region, Many People, Muscles, Nerve, Person Ages, pinched nerves, Shopping Carts, Spinal Canal, Spinal Nerves, Spinal Stenosis, Sufficient Space, Tumors, Vascular Claudication

Hunching, bending, and slouching are just a couple of bad habits we have acquired over the years. Usually begin in childhood and follow us into adulthood, where the problems tend to arise. Unfortunately, many of us are unaware of these bad habits, which makes most of us likely candidates for back pain. You do not have to have a health condition to have chronic back pain. Not even have to be seniors. Back pain can strike anytime, any age.

The people working behind a desk for life may not realize it, but they are doing much damage to their backs by slouching. As indicated above, people tend to do it unconsciously. Over time, an accumulation of stress and tension is applied, and the damage is done. Other cases in the daily activities that damage when the back is us. Slouching when standing without holding your shoulders down and back in a relaxed fashion can put a lot of stress on the back and neck. Another activity in which damage to the rear is possible is when the dream. A bad mattress can damage the spine of the natural alignment, which can result in back pain. You might also feel pain in the neck and shoulders when sleeping on a bad mattress.

When your back is damaged, you may not feel in the beginning, so they continue to practice the same activities that we always have, without corrections. Pilates exercises and were intended to correct the alignment of the spine. This type of exercise consists of a series of small, efficient, and powerful movements that strengthen the muscles that have been undone in the ebb and flow of daily activities. You will be able to tighten and tone the buttocks, abdominal muscles, back and muscles, increasing your body’s strength.

At some point in most of the lives of people who suffer some form of back discomfort. It is inevitable. We are accustomed to slouching and poor posture habits, and catch up with us. In severe cases, the discs are herniated, and sometimes may develop arthritis. The alignment is crooked, and all bodily functions are put off. Talk about pain! Stiffness, numbness, tingling, and burning are just some of the very real feelings that people live with suffering from back pain. Frequent doctor’s visits are a very common reality for a lot of people too. How to get rushed to the emergency room is also very common in the world of terrible back pain.

Pilates and stretching techniques can help to correct even the worst back problems. Once the force and restore alignment, everything else follows. Ultimately, you are more aware and conscious of their position, and much more knowledge on how to alleviate signs of back pain. Through Pilates, no more drugs, doctor visits, or annoying bouts of pain. Only an effort at self healthy, natural alignment.

Yvonne Corilla
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/your-everyday-activities-are-contributing-to-your-back-pain-pilates-can-help-1075264.html

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Lower back pain is a common affliction, with millions each year visiting physicians for relief. Not only will they seek relief, they will want a diagnosis.

It is not always easy to diagnose lower back pain. Many body structures can cause it. There are muscles, ligaments, and tendons; spinal column bones; joints, discs and nerves. In addition to these structures, there may be underlying medical conditions your physician needs to evaluate.

Whether you initially diagnose lower back pain yourself, or leave that to your physician, the diagnosis will need to consider both the location and symptoms of your pain.

Step 1 – Location

The first step is to decide the location. “Where does it hurt?”

1. Axial lower back pain: This lower back pain hurts only in the low back. Pain does not travel into any other area.

2. Radicular lower back pain: This lower back pain hurts in the low back, and also radiates down the backs of the thighs into one or both legs.

3. Lower back pain with referred pain: Diagnose lower back pain with referred pain if it hurts in the low back area, and tends to radiate into the groin, buttocks, and upper thighs. The pain will rarely radiate below the knee, but may seem to move around.

Step 2 – Symptoms

Once you diagnose lower back pain as to location, you will consider symptoms. “How does it feel?”

1. Worsens with certain activities: If you play football, for example, the pain is worse.

2. Worsens in certain positions: Perhaps it gets worse if you stand for too long. Or it is more painful after you sit in a car.

3. Feels better after rest: Resting from the activity or position usually reduces the lower back pain.

4. Deep and steady: Not a sharp muscle catch, this pain is constant and deep within the affected areas.

5. Severe: The pain is excruciating, possibly more so in the calf than the lower back.

6. Numbness and tingling: There may be “pins and needles” within the area.

7. Fleeting pain: Pain may seem to come and go, leaving you unsure at times just how it feels.

8. Achy and dull: Like the flu, this pain is sore and dull, though sometimes intensifying.

9. Migratory: It hurts in one spot, then another.

Diagnosis

AXIAL: If location is best described by number 1 above, and symptoms are a combination of 1, 2, and 3, you can probably diagnose lower back pain as being axial – the most common type. This is also called “mechanical” lower back pain. A variety of back structures can cause axial lower back pain, and it is difficult to identify which is the cause. Axial pain gets better on its own, and about 90% of patients recover within six weeks.

RADICULAR: If location is best described by number 2 above, and symptoms are a combination of 4, 5, and 6, you can probably diagnose lower back pain as being radicular – commonly called sciatica. This lower back pain is caused by compression of a lower spinal nerve, usually the sciatica nerve that runs from the spinal column, down the back of the thighs to the feet. Doctors usually recommend conservative treatment such as physical therapy exercises, medications, and possibly spinal injections, for six to eight weeks.

REFERRED: If location is best described by number 3 above, and symptoms are a combination of 7, 8, and 9, you can probably diagnose your pain as being lower back pain with referred pain – the least common type. This lower back pain is treated the same as axial back pain and frequently goes away as the problem resolves on its own.

How do you diagnose lower back pain?

Diagnose lower back pain with care. You need an accurate diagnosis, which your physician can best make, to be sure no underlying causes need attention. It is not enough to know you have sciatica. You need to know the underlying cause of the sciatica to determine treatment options.

If you do diagnose lower back pain, check the diagnosis with your physician.

Anna Hart
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/how-to-diagnose-lower-back-pain-115645.html

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Have your employees called in sick to work lately because they have a “slipped” or “ruptured” disc in the back? Have they complained that their back “went out” and that they have a burning pain centered in the lower back? Or have they complained of a shooting pain that begins in the buttocks and goes down the back of one leg?

Chances are your employees have complained to you about a herniated disc especially in the lower back. Low back pain will affect 4 out 5 people during their lifetime. In fact over 20 million Americans suffer from back pain caused by the derangement of an inter-vertebral disk.

Back injuries cause 100 million lost days of work annually and costs businesses as much as $100 billion every year.

After the common cold, back pain is the second most common cause that Americans call in sick from work. It is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization and the third most common reason to undergo a surgical procedure.

Lower back pain and herniated discs account for 15% of sick leaves. One-fifth of all workers compensation claims are due to low back pain. In comparison to other medical conditions, it causes the greatest loss of productivity.

So, how can you treat back pain and increase you productivity?

When it comes to treating herniated discs, most employees will use traditional treatments such as ice/heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications and even surgery. While these may deliver some relief, it will usually be temporary if at all.

The major problem with these traditional treatments is that they only address the symptoms of a herniated disc. They do not address the actual cause of the problem. For example, even if your employees were to have invasive surgery and get some pain relief, the fact is the root cause that caused the disc to become herniated in the first place is still there.

There is what I call the hidden cause, it is over looked by most and it is simply this…

Our bodies adapt and change to our environment and this adaptation will over time cause what are called Muscle Imbalances. Those imbalances will cause what are called postural dysfunctions.

If the dysfunctions are not addressed, they will continue to place uneven pressure and strain on the discs and sooner or later your employees will likely have another problem with that disc, or others. This means more absenteeism, higher costs, and further deterioration in your company’s productivity,

To eliminate worker absenteeism related to back pain and herniated discs and increase productivity your employees must learn to identify and address the underlying cause of their problem.

Unfortunately, most doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists don’t spend time or focus on identifying the physical dysfunctions that are responsible for the condition. So most employees jump from one useless traditional treatment to the next and suffer with continuous herniated disc flare-ups for months or years unnecessarily.

Here Are 3 Ways to Identify and Address the Underlying Causes of Your Employee’s Back Problems So You Can Cut Costs & Improve Productivity:

1. Understand how job function causes back pain: Sitting, Standing and doing repetitive motions all day long will cause, muscle imbalances. Over time this will cause postural dysfunctions that will cause your spine to go into abnormal curvature. This will cause a disc to herniated…

2. Take postural assessment photos: The most persuasive evidence you can show your employees that they are developing postural dysfunction and will over time put themselves at risk for back pain is to take photos. Photograph your employees from the front and from the side. When assessing the photos some things to look for are:

- Are the shoulders level?

- Are the hips level?

- Is the head inline with the shoulders?

- Is the trunk forward or backward of the knees?

- Do you see twisting in the trunk?

3. Hire a professional for the day: Have a qualified professional come to your office. This person should be a Manual Physical Therapist or Personal Trainer trained to assess your posture and design a corrective program.

Understanding back pain and taking action are two totally different animals. No one thinks that it will happen to them. And because it takes so long for our bodies to reach the point of pain, almost no one takes action to prevent back pain. So if back pain is an issue at your work place you should incorporate an incentive based program… one that encourages education and consistent action.

Dr. Robert Duvall, Dpt, Atc
http://www.articlesbase.com/human-resources-articles/herniated-discs-worker-absenteeism-how-to-eliminate-back-pain-increase-productivity-virtually-over-night-139467.html

Technorati Tags: Anti Inflammatory Medications, Back Injuries, Buttocks, Causes Of Hospitalization, Cold Back, Cortisone, Derangement, Electrical Stimulation, Frequent Causes, herniated disc, Increase Productivity, Invasive Surgery, Low Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, Medical Conditions, Root Cause, Second Most Common Cause, Sick Leaves, Worker Absenteeism, Workers Compensation Claims

One of the top reasons that people miss school, work, and other things is due to lower back pain. This is a very common problem that can begin as a small pain and steadily increase over time or it could begin as a serious pain that needs immediate attention from a physician. There are some treatments for lower back pain, but often it can be difficult for people to completely get rid of the pain. Since this problem is causing so many people to miss out on obligations, it is a huge concern for physicians.

Sometimes lower back pain can move down the buttocks and legs, creating other problems. Often the pain is the result of nerves being pinched due to poor posture, straining of the muscles, and other problems. When there is a lot of pressure on the nerves in the lower back it is called sciatica. This is an incredibly painful problem and can last for a long time. Other causes of lower back pain come from being overweight and putting too much pressure on the lower back, sitting or standing in one position for too long without stretching or exercising, etc.

Ways To Relieve Lower Back Pain

The first thing you need to do when you experience lower back pain is to discover the source of the pain. Once you know what caused your pain, you will have a better idea of how to treat it. For example if you pain comes from sitting too long with poor posture, you may consider getting a back brace that helps you maintain better posture and take frequent breaks to stretch you back. If your lower back pain is the result of an injury, you may only be able to get pain relievers and take it easy for a while until the body naturally heals itself. Sometimes lower back pain requires surgery in the back in order to be relieved. Often when you don’t have any reason for having the lower back pain, you could have a serious problem and need to have it checked out immediately.

Serious conditions that can cause lower back pain include arthritis, scoliosis, or even cancer. The best thing is to seek treatment as soon as you detect the problem. That way you are more likely to take care of the problem before it gets worse. People that are known for treating lower back pain include physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, and acupuncturists. If you are unsure what is causing the pain, it is recommended that you first see your primary practitioner and then go from there. For more information on lower back pain and its treatment, begin searching online. You may be able to discover a possible source for you lower back pain that you never considered before.

DOLA RAHEEM
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/suffering-from-lower-back-pain-108981.html

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You’ve probably heard people say they have a “slipped” or “ruptured” disc in the back. Sometimes they complain that their back “went out”. What they’re most likely describing is a herniated disc. This condition is a common source of back and leg pain.

Discs are soft cushions found between the vertebrae that make up the spinal column (your backbone). In the middle of the spinal column is the spinal canal, a hollow space that contains the spinal cord. The nerves that supply the arms, leg, and torso come from the spinal cord. The nerves from the neck supply the arms and hands, and the nerves from the low back supply the butt and legs. The discs between the vertebrae allow the back to move freely and act like shock absorbers.

The disc is made up of two main sections. The outer part (the annulus) is made up of tough cartilage that is comprised of series of rings. The center of the disc is a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. A disc herniates or ruptures when part of the jelly center pushes through the outer wall of the disc into the spinal canal, and puts pressure on the nerves. A disc bulge is when the jelly substance pushes the outer wall but doesn’t completely go through the wall.

What do you feel?

Low back pain will affect four out of five people during their lifetime. The most common symptom of a herniated disc is “sciatica”. Sciatica is best described as a sharp, often shooting pain that begins in the buttocks and goes down the back of one leg. This is most often caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve that exits the spinal cord. Other symptoms include:

Weakness in one leg or both legs

Numbness and tingling in one leg (pins & needles)

A burning pain centered in the low back

Loss of bladder or bowel control (seek medical attention immediately)

Back pain with gradually increasing leg pain. (If you have weakness in both legs. Seek immediate attention.)

How do you know you have a herniated disc?

Your medical history is key to a proper diagnosis. A physical examination can usually determine which nerve roots are affected (and how seriously). A simple x-ray may show evidence of disc or degenerative spine changes. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is usually the best option (most expensive) to determine which disc has herniated.

Why do discs herniate?

Discs are primarily composed of water. As we become older (after the age of 30), the water content decreases, so the discs begin to shrink and lose their shape. When the disc becomes smaller the space between the vertebrae decreases and become narrower. Also, as the disc loses water content the disc itself becomes less flexible.

While aging, excess weight, improper lifting and the decrease in water in the discs all contribute to the breaking down of discs, the primary cause of a herniation or bluge is uneven compression and torsion that’s placed on the discs.

This uneven pressure is caused by imbalances in muscles that pull the spine out of its normal position and then your body is forced to function in what I call a physical dysfunction. Every human being develops these dysfunctions over time and eventually they cause enough damage to create pain.

The best treatment options

When it comes to treating a herniated disc, there are traditional treatments such as ice/heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cortisone injections, anti-inflammatory medications and even surgery. While these may deliver some relief, it will usually be temporary if at all.

But the major problem with these traditional treatments is that they can’t fix or heal a herniated disc as they do not address the actual cause of the problem. For example, even if you were to have a surgery and get some pain relief, the fact is the dysfunctions that caused the disc to herniated in the first place are still there and if not addressed, they will continue to place uneven pressure and strain on the discs and sooner or later you will likely have another problem with that disc, or others.

Without identifying and addressing the underlying cause of the problem, which is the physical dysfunctions caused by imbalances in muscles, you will likely continue to suffer with this condition and the continuous flare ups for years.

Unfortunately, most doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists don’t spend time or focus on identifying the physical dysfunctions that are responsible for the condition so most people end up jumping from one useless traditional treatment to the next and suffer for months or years unnecessarily.

If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc, or are wondering if your back pain may be caused by a herniated disc, either way you must identify and address the physical dysfunctions that are causing your pain as part of your recovery.

Dr. Robert Duvall, Dpt, Atc
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/diagnosed-with-a-herniated-disc-what-to-do-next-88812.html

Technorati Tags: Annulus, Back And Leg Pain, Bowel Control, Buttocks, Cartilage, Disc Bulge, herniated disc, Hollow Space, Low Back Pain, Nucleus Pulposus, Numbness, Ruptures, Sciatic Nerve, Sciatica, Shock Absorbers, Soft Cushions, Spinal Canal, Spinal Column, Spinal Cord, Vertebrae