Ovarian Cancer Back Pain

Well, many women in America are diagnosed with pre-ovarian cancer. Pre-ovarian cancer back pain is a common symptom of the disease which is many-a-time treated as a normal back pain mistakenly in the initial stage of cancer. Yes, your doctor can miss it, so you need to be cautious if suffering from chronic and stubborn back pain problem.
Just look at some statistics now. According to a recent study, close to 30,000 women of US will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the year 2006. It is also stated that between 15,000 to 16,000 deaths due to ovarian cancer are likely to happen this year. It accounts for 5 % of all the types of cancer deaths.

What encourages this silent killer to go on mercilessly? What are the doctors doing? How is that, that by the time this disease is detected, it is too late! Why it could not be detected at the first stage?

There is dispute among the researchers. British doctors did not make the correct survey when they arrived at the conclusion that symptoms came to the fore at the late stages of the ovarian cancer. So, when they detected the cancer, it was too late.

But, contrary were the findings of the University of California researchers. They concluded that some definite symptoms could be detected four months before and some even before one year. Hence, better treatment was possible.

"The most common symptom is back pain, followed by fatigue, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain and urinary urgency. These symptoms tend to occur very frequently and become more severe with time. Most women with ovarian cancer have at least two of these symptoms."

-American Cancer Society

Most of the back pain treatments are frustrating. They provide temporary relief here and there. So, you get fed up with the treatment that does not work.

Can Ovarian Cancer be found early? Why ovarian cancer? Every disease tends to cause some symptoms- some specific and some vague. In case of ovarian cancer, it could be abdominal swelling, vaginal bleeding on a high scale, pressure in the pelvic region, leg pain, problems related to digestion--gas trouble, continuous bloating, chronic indigestion and recurring stomach pain and most importantly, the back pain! So, if you take disease by disease treatment, without knowing about the root cause- ovarian cancer will take control slowly, steadily but firmly. After some months, your doctor will find the situation out of control as it is a belated diagnosis!

Are You Willing to Follow Eight Yoga Exercises For the Lower Back?

EXERCISES FOR BACK RELIEF

Many people believe that rest is best for a painful back, but actually, what your back really needs when it's hurt is exercise. Regular exercise relieves back pain by strengthening and stretching the muscles that support the spine and helps to prevent future injury. This is a use it or lose it situation: the more you rest, the weaker your back gets, even if it is hurt. Studies have actually shown that you can heal your back pain faster and get back to your regular activities with just two days of rest. This article will focus on Yoga Exercises. Remember to contact your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

YOGA EXERCISES FOR YOUR BACK

A good, regular yoga practice will go far in relieving the stress and tension that sometimes cause mild back pain, and in fact, studies have shown that yoga is the number one most effective exercise for relieving back pain. However, not all yoga poses relieve back pain, and some can in fact aggravate existing pain, so it is important to know which poses will be most helpful in relieving back pain. It is best to do these exercises under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor, and if you encounter any problems with these poses, you should consult an expert. Even just one or two sessions with a yoga instructor can help, as an instructor will help you with your form and posture during poses. Here are some of the best yoga poses for relieving back pain. Each pose should be held from five to ten seconds, depending upon your level of comfort, and should be done on a mat or other soft, supportive surface.

CORPSE: Lie flat on your back in a relaxed position, arms resting at your sides, palms down, and legs lying naturally, with knees turned out slightly. If it hurts your back to have your knees turned outward, do this pose with knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Breathe in and out for a few seconds while allowing any tension to leave the body.

CAT STRETCH: Start out on your hands and knees with a flat back. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders with fingers spread. Knees should be directly under the hips. Head is held loosely so that you are looking at the floor between your hands. Inhale, and as you exhale, arch your back toward the ceiling, tuck your chin in to your chest so that you are looking at your navel, and tuck your tailbone underneath. Hold, then release back into your original position.

WIND-RELEASING POSE: Lie flat on your back as in Corpse pose. As you inhale, bend your knee, place your hands right below the knee, and draw your leg towards your chest. Your left leg should remain flat on the floor. Exhale and bring your forehead up to touch your knee. Inhale, and then as you exhale, return to your original position. Repeat with the other leg.

SAGE TWIST: Warning for this pose-it involves twisting your back, so you should take particular care not to twist too far or you risk aggravating any existing back pain. This should be a gentle stretch; twist just as far as is comfortable. Sit on the floor with both legs out in front of you. Bend your right knee, lift your right leg over your left, and place your right foot on the floor next to your left knee. Sitting with spine straight, place your left elbow on the right side of your right knee. Bend your left arm so that your left fingertips are touching your right hip, while at the same time, twisting to look over your right shoulder. This is where you need to be careful not to twist too far. Hold for a few seconds, release, and repeat on the opposite side.

PALM TREE: Stand with feet facing forward, arms at your sides, weight distributed evenly on both feet. Raise both arms over your head, interlock your fingers, and turn your hands so that your palms are facing upward. Next, place your palms on your head and turn your head so that you are looking slightly upward. Stretch your arms upwards, and at the same time, come up onto your toes if you can do so without pain. Stretch your entire body upward and hold, if you can. Some people have difficulty balancing during this pose, so just do the stretching part if you need to.

FISH POSE: Lie on your back with knees bent and arms at your side. Arch your back as far as you comfortably can and raise it off the ground by pushing the floor with your elbows. If you can, tilt your head backwards and rest the crown of your head on the floor. Breathe deeply from the diaphragm and hold pose for one minute if you can.

LOCUST: Lie face down with arms at the side, palms down, and elbows slightly bent with fingers pointing towards the feet. Raise your legs and thighs as high off the ground as possible without causing your back any pain. Hold for one second and repeat up to twelve times. This can be a vigorous exercise so you must take care to strain already injured muscles.

BENDING FORWARD POSTURE: Stand up straight with feet together and arms hanging loosely along your sides. Breathe in deeply and raise your arms straight above your head. While breathing out, bend forward and touch your toes if you can. If you can't reach your toes, grab hold of your ankles or calves. To complete the pose, you should touch your head to your knees, but this may be too difficult for many who suffer from lower back pain. Your movements during this pose should be smooth, not jerky.

Sharp Lower Back Pain When Bending Over

There are a number of reasons why people experience this type of pain in the lower part of the back when they bend over or make other particular movements, and the causes can vary. In some cases you may need to seek advice from your doctor or a healthcare professional with regards to the exact cause of the pain, as well as to sort out treatment for the problem.

The causes of this type of pain

There could be a number of causes of sharp lower back pain when bending over, and the cause will of course determine the solution to ease this problem. In some cases the pain may be the result of something as simple as having slept in an awkward position or even your posture, which may be putting strain on certain parts of the back including the lumbar region. Other causes may be more serious or complicated, and may require attention from a medical professional.

Amongst the possible causes for this sort of pain when bending over are:

• An injury that has been sustained to the lower back region


• Poor posture that has put strain on the lumbar region


• A trapped nerve that is pulled when you bend


• A slipped disc


• Muscle tightness or imbalance in the lumbar region


• Strain to the muscles in the back

It is also worth nothing that the pain can get worse as inflammation worsens, and it can also spread into the buttock area over time, which can result in increased discomfort. If the pain appears to be getting worse, spreading to other areas, or becomes more constant then it is worth getting medical attention sooner rather than later in case treatment is require for any underlying cause that could get worse if left unattended.

Improve the discomfort with stretches

Although you may need to seek out medical advice and treatment for some causes of sharp pains in the lower part of the back you will find that stretching the muscles can really help to ease the discomfort and pain. You can use a range of stretching exercises, which can help in a number of ways, including easing the strain on your muscles, helping to ease tension, loosening the muscles to increase flexibility, and increasing blood flow to the region. Daily simple but effective stretches can prove invaluable when it comes to easing the pain and discomfort for those that experience sharp lower back pain when bending over.

Lower Back Pain Relief - 4 Treatments To Consider!

It is believed that people will suffer from lower back pain at some time during their lives. Pain in this area is one of the most common ailments that general practitioners see in their practices. Severe discomfort can seem like a plague cast over your life, leaving you hurting and feeling as though life is passing you by.

The quest for finding lower back/lumbar pain relief can become all consuming for those suffering from chronic discomfort in this area. Perhaps, the suggestions in this article can provide the relief you want. Here are a few ways to relieve your discomfort and help you get your life back.

1. Massage Therapy


Tense muscles can be either a source of lumbar discomfort or make the pain you are experiencing worse. Ironically, the more pain you are in, the more you will tense your muscles, thereby increasing the pain you are experiencing. A deep massage can relax you and your muscles thereby decreasing if not eliminating your discomfort. A licensed massage therapist may include the use of hot or cold compresses to help relax muscles and reduce swelling. Keep in mind that the less tense your muscles are the easier they will move without causing pain.


2. Exercise


When most people experience back/lumbar pain the last thing they want to do is exercise. Fear of more discomfort can make you particularly reluctant to try any type of exercise. However, there are specific exercises that are designed to actually strengthen the muscles of the lower back and abdomen, which in turn can not only help to relieve your discomfort but, can help protect your back from further injury.



3. Stretches


Stretches are specific exercises that are designed to stretch your spine and help to create more space between discs which may result in helping to relieve the pain caused by certain conditions that result in lumbar discomfort. Stretches have often been found to bring temporary relief for back pain and therefore, are often done in the evening allowing for better rest.


4. Lower Back Pain Inversion Tables


Inversion tables are often used for the treatment of this painful condition especially for those suffering from sciatica. Inversion tables are a type of spinal traction that uses the body's own weight to stretch the spine by hanging upside down. Studies have shown that even hanging at an angle of as little as 20 or 30 degrees can relieve back pain, for those people who are not comfortable hanging completely upside down. Inversion tables are usually used by physical therapists to treat lower back pain and the length of time one spends on one of these tables depends a good deal on the degree of inversion.

In most cases, relieving back pain is not limited to one specific treatment but may consist of several treatment options combined that help to relieve the tension of your muscles, reduce swelling and inflammation and increase the strength of the affected muscles or those muscles surrounding the affected area. By combining various treatments into an individual treatment plan you will have the best chance to find the relief you seek from that chronic lower back pain.

Lower Back Pain Relief - Simple Ways To Eliminate Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain relief can be achieved in a variety of ways, but firstly it
is important to get an accurate diagnosis for your particular ailment, so
that lower back pain relief can be correctly administered. A doctor will usually
arrange for an MRI scan to detect the actual cause of your back pain.

In many cases lower back pain will be caused by a muscle spasm, this
can be caused by many reasons such as- sitting at a desk for several hours every
day, sleeping on an old or non supporting mattress. Even stress and tension can
lead to problems. In cases such as these lower back pain relief can usually be
obtained by over the counter medication such as aspirin, Tylenol, naproxen, ketoprofen, and ibuprofen. These medications will help to reduce pain and swelling.

In more serious instances back pain can be due to an injury to the spine,
usually caused by an accident, or perhaps by lifting and twisting at the same
time. In many cases an injury to the spine will result in a herniated disc which
in turn can lead to more serious lower back pain symptoms such as sciatica or
spinal stenosis, however, although these conditions may cause considerable
discomfort, lower back pain relief can again be obtained fairly easily.

If a lower back injury is recent, you may need a day or two of rest, however
rest for lower back pain is now known not to be a cure, as rest can cause the
muscles to become stiff, and will add to your recovery time. It is strongly
advised to get up and walk, even if it's for just a few minutes, at least once
every hour.

Although over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory treatments
help ease the pain, they should not be taken over a long period of time, as they
can cause other health problems, such as stomach ulcers, and in certain
medications, addiction. A preferred option for lower lower back pain relief is
exercise.

Exercises are one of the most important self treatments for lower back pain
relief. Exercises that are specific for your particular lower back pain symptom
will usually give you fast relief as they strengthen the core muscles that
support the spine, improve the flexibility in the spine and improve posture. Non
impact aerobic exercise also have many benefits, but the focus should be
on exercises that are safe, if you are unsure always consult a professional back
pain adviser.

Stretching exercises will also help in your quest for lower back pain relief.
Stretching should be carried out slowly, concentrating on the lower back, hips,
quadriceps and hamstrings. Stretching exercises will naturally cause pain, but
this should be pain from the muscle being stretched, if you feel pain in any
other areas you should immediately stop, but if done correctly stretching should
increase your flexibility in the region of 20% within the first month and reduce
lower back pain considerably.

If you would like further detailed information on
lower back pain relief,
including causes, symptoms and effective treatments, please feel free to visit
our website listed below.

Treatment for Sciatica - Treating a Real Pain in the Back

Sciatica is a real pain in the back. This is a medical problem that's primarily connected to the widest and longest nerve fiber within both human being and animal bodies, called the sciatic nerve. This nerve is found in the lower back area that goes straight down from the buttocks to the legs. Its key function is to give and collect electrical signals from your brain to the lower parts of the body, and the opposite way round. The impingement of this nerve fiber resulted from various complications bringing about swelling, irritation, and chronic back pain, is hence called sciatica. Generally, sciatica brings about lumbar pain because of its location in the body. Despite the fact that sciatica pain may not be a health emergency, searching for the ideal sciatica pain relief is a good idea, it's still early.

Sciatic nerve pain is often caused by a variety of vertebrae conditions, such as herniation of disc, disc degeneration, protruding discs, spinal stenosis, accidental injuries, tumors, bone spurs, etcetera. More often than not, sciatica causes pain in the lumbar area that can develop down to the buttocks and the legs. Weakness and a pins and needles or burning sensation of the lower parts can also be felt with this condition. Still, in worst case situations, sciatic nerve pain may turn out to be much more serious conditions, like the Caude Equina Syndrome, wherein the function of the lower extremities is damaged. Because of this, treatment solution must (blank) be employed at an early phase.

Sciatica pain is a type of health condition that can be experienced by all people, in particular those over 50 years of age. The good thing is, this disorder may be able t resolve itself with no treatment at all, provided that it's given the time and ideal conditions to recover. Otherwise, there are various sciatica treatment options now available, from normal medications and sciatic nerve pain relief products to numerous alternative treatments and sciatica exercises.

A typical treatment for sciatica recommended by a lot of medical professionals and orthopedics are the NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. As the name indicates, these prescription drugs mainly concentrate on decreasing the swelling and discomfort of the afflicted nerve parts. Example NSAIDs given are ibuprofen, paracetamol, COX-2 inhibitors, Motrin, and Celebrex. Oral steroid medicines is likewise prescribed to ease the pain, and also corticosteroid shots, for a more speedily effect. Muscle relaxers can also provide sciatic pain relief by loosening hard and pressured muscles which will make the problem even worse.

Presently, there are tons of products out there that can help with sciatica pain. From ice and heat packs to back supports, chairs to beds, and shoes to lumbar exercise machines, the list simply keeps going. A great product to use for pain relief is the ice and heat pack, that is applied directly onto the affected region. The cold and the heat can help relax the muscles, therefore reducing the pain. For lumbar pain sufferers who sit for extended periods of time, an incredible product to use is the back supports and ergonomic chairs.

Certain exercises, like aerobics, balancing, stabilizing, strengthening, and stretching workouts are also beneficial to sciatic pain. These help keep the core muscles of the body strong and stable, enabling them to better support the spine and overall body weight. As a result of a stronger core, the lesser pain you might feel. On the other hand, most high-impact, extreme, and physically demanding exercises must not be done so as not to aggravate the illness.

Alternative sciatica treatment is also very popular nowadays, considering that it is affordable, reliable, and efficient. Acupuncture, acupressure therapeutic massage, chiropractic adjustments, decompression therapy, therapeutic massage, physical rehabilitation, and yoga exercises are just some of the common alternative sciatica treatment. These help maintain a much healthier back, while reducing costs of numerous products and the negative effects of most medicinal drugs and surgical treatments.

Why Your Lower Back Pain Won't Go Away - Unless You Try This

Did you know that over 65 million Americans suffer with lower back pain? This number is staggering to the imagination that so many people are really having a bad go of it. You'd like to be able to get rid of the pain and tension this causes in your life. Some people cannot sleep with their spouses and maintain separate quarters.

Is this you?

Some causes for lower back pain is simply do to pregnancy. The pregnancy back pain is no different than any other pain you feel. Your body gets an alarm that "something" is not right. You are so restricted from taking any type of pain reliever because of fear of harming the baby growing inside of you.

Here are a few things you can try...now keep in mind that before you do any of these things you NEED to talk with YOUR doctor before engaging in these tips.

* The first option to consider is a natural medicine. These remedies have been around for generations and have proven themselves over time. Why not give it a shot? If you go to any online store like a Whole Foods Market you should be able to read up on the products before ordering. The beauty of the internet is that you can pretty much order anything online and have it delivered right to your door. This is great news because the second most searched for pain reliever online is that of foot pain. Foot pain is a topic we'll discuss another time but suffice it to say that with the added weight of the baby plus the stress of being on your feet all day. Compounded with very "unfriendly shoes" that do not yield one iota of support - your feet are taking a pounding. Literally.

*Lower back pain stretching is another alternative to taking the pills. But really I'd suggest that you try more than one treatment at a time. Sure you can take the all natural pain reliever. But do so only after you've consulted with your doctor and have yourself read up on the ingredients. Do the stretches we are outlining here and take the pain reliever. Many patients seem to think that they can only do one or the other but that is just not try. Compound these options revealed here. If you do stretch your lower back you'll be working with the soft tissues. These muscles, ligaments and tendons are essential to your lower back pain relief.

*Right now try this simple flexion stretch. You do it by standing or sitting whichever you prefer. If you ride the subway train or drive along you may be able to modify it just a bit and still get some relief on the go. So, if you are sitting or standing, softly bend your head forward and strive to bring the chin in towards the chest. You will feel a slight stretch in the rear of your neck. If you experience any pain you must stop this movement. So go slow and be very gentle. Hold that position for say four counts. It also helps if you breath in and out to calm your body down to.

*The lateral flexion stretch can work wonders for your low back pain. In this movement you are standing upright. With your hands held close to your sides (like a soldier posing) slightly bend to your right. Think to yourself that you are trying to touch your knee. Hold that tension for say 4 counts. Then return to center. Next, you'll do the same thing but in the opposite direction. Which either one, be sure to keep your breathing in and out steadily. This supplies just the right amount of oxygen and is also great for calming your pain down. Check out this video first...it shows some great Lower Back Pain Exercises.

* Lastly, you can do these back exercises on a mat or a carpeted floor in your office. You can lie down on your back of course. Your knees are bent with your hands resting on them. In this exercise you are going to try to bring your knees into your chest. Depending on how many months you are along you may find this not so easy to do. If that is the case be sure to look for other articles on this subject on this website for alternatives.

Avoid Back Pain From Playing The Guitar

Playing an instrument is a rewarding pastime for some and a way of life for others. Whatever your level of investment in your instrument, you may find that you experience pain after practicing, especially if you practice for a long period of time.

Whether sitting or standing, right-handed or left, you are using one side of your body differently than the other when playing guitar. The shoulder, hand and forearm on the side that you use to navigate the fretboard are working more than those on your strumming side. If you stand when playing, this imbalance is exacerbated by the strap. Right-handed players support the weight of their guitar on the left side, which is also the fretting side, and vice versa for left-handed players. The extra work these muscles do causes them to become tense and shortened after prolonged use. Muscles that are tight become weak, as they are not flexible enough to perform work without possible injury. This can cause the muscles of the other side to attempt to compensate for them throughout your day, leading to tightness on that side as well.

The following tips will help to prevent neck, shoulder and back pain caused by overuse when playing the guitar.

Warming Up

You may think that a warmup for guitar playing means finger exercises on the fretboard. These are important, both for playing quality and for your finger and forearm muscles. However, the rest of your body should be warmed up, too. The neck, back, shoulders and hips should be stretched before your practice session. This ensures that the muscles are flexible and have received fresh nutrients and oxygen from increased blood flow to perform work with.

Proper Posture

One of the most important postural tips to keep in mind when playing guitar is to keep your shoulders low and you spine straight. Many people, especially new players, will hunch over the instrument sitting down and tense their shoulders as they concentrate on their playing. Body awareness is one of your best protections against poor posture when playing guitar. Whether you're sitting or standing, make every effort not to hunch over the guitar. For new players or those used to looking at the fretboard, this may take some practice. Begin relying on the dots that indicate fret numbers on the side of your guitar's neck, or make your own indicators with colorful tape. Keep your neck as upright as possible. Make sure your shoulders are not creeping up toward your head.

If standing, play around with the length of your guitar strap. Some people prefer to keep the guitar low, while others like it very high. Ergonomically, the best position is that which sets the weight of the guitar's body at your center of gravity, which is around navel level for men and hip level for women. If the guitar is lower, your shoulder strain will increase. If it is higher, you may find yourself raising your shoulders. Check out the DuoStrap, designed to allow the weight of your guitar to be shared by both shoulders: http://www.gruvgear.com/duostrap-signature.

Seating position for standard guitars involves resting the "waist" of the guitar (the indent between the upper and lower half of the body) on the thigh of your strumming side with your legs in an open stance. Resist the temptation to cross your legs; this causes your body to twist, increasing stress on your hip muscles, spine and lower back muscles. Your strumming arm should rest lightly on the lower half of the guitar. Classical guitarists support the weight of the guitar on the thigh of the fretting side with the neck pointing more upward. Classical or standard, your shoulders should be low and loose.

Those who would like to learn more about proper body mechanics, both when playing and not, should refer to the Alexander Technique. See their website at http://www.alexandertechnique.com/ for more information.

Breaks

Some people can grab their guitars and stay put for hours, but your initial warmup won't keep your muscles loose for that long. After half an hour of play, take a break and move around. If you play sitting, stand up and allow your hip muscles to elongate. If you play standing, give your legs a break and take a seat. Repeat your warmup stretches. Taking a two-minute break every half hour or so will allow your muscles to refresh themselves.

Playing guitar shouldn't cause you pain. Paying attention to posture, warming up and taking breaks will help to prevent back pain during your practice sessions.

Causes Of Lower Back And Hip Pain

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

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain with Hip Pain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Water - How it Can Help You Relieve Lower Back Pain and Sciatica

There is no doubt that water is essential for good health generally and this is particularly true with regard to back problems. Those who do not have a proper intake of water are much more likely to suffer difficulties and pain in joints, muscles and elsewhere. Also some parts of the body do not manage to get water so easily and so can be more prone to becoming dehydrated. This is of especially the case where joint endings and the spinal discs are concerned.

The vertebrae in your spine are kept apart by the discs. If they are not hydrated correctly then they cannot work as they should. It is not surprising then that inadequate water intake can easily be one of the reasons for back problems giving rise to pain and discomfort, and in particular lower back pain and sciatica. On the other hand making sure that you are correctly hydrated can help to relieve or reduce the prospect of back pain.

The job which the discs perform is to act as a spacer and shock absorber to maintain the vertebrae separated and functioning happily. The role of water in this job is to ensure that the discs are at their full size, which is what will be the case when they are hydrated. The task the discs have is a heavy one because the weight of the body will be borne by the discs and further down the spine the weight obviously is greater. No surprise then that lower back pain is amongst the most common complaints that people suffer from.

As the day progresses the burden imposed on each disc whilst you are upright presses water out of it. In this way it becomes compressed and less able the act as a shock absorber. It is no longer so flexible. If you do not have an appropriate water consumption the disc situation will be even worse. The disc with only minimal hydration may well be unable to support the burden and respond with swellings or ruptures (better known as a slipped disc, but in reality more probably a burst or herniation) when some stressful activity, such as bending over, is imposed on it.

Now consider the position you get up in the morning. You will have been lying down for a number of hours and there will have been none of the usual weight on the discs. Naturally the discs will have had the opportunity to re-hydrate whilst you were asleep. One consequence of this will be a slight increase in your height overnight. This would not be instantly noticeable for the increase would probably not be more than one centimetre. But the increase can be shown with delicate measuring. Another result of the improved disc function enjoyed when you first get up will normally be that you may have less back pain. The discs are in better shape and are supporting the spine more effectively.

So much then for the question of disc problems due to lack of water. But spinal discs damage is not the only result of inadequate hydration. There is also the matter of the effect on the cells in your muscles. If these are lacking in water they will not respond so well to the demands placed upon them, and spasms and similar difficulties are then probable.

What then do you need to bear in mind with regard to water intake? First that you should drink an adequate amount of quality water during the day. Water is a vital element for you and your back. And that quality is important too; because if the water is sweet and fresh you will enjoy the taste and want to drink it. Secondly it should be remembered that alcohol and drinks such as coffee and tea being diuretics will deplete the water in your body and will not assist proper hydration.

During warm weather and when undertaking vigorous exercise, be sure to take enough water to make up for the amount that you will lose through perspiration. Of course you will have to decide what is the proper intake of water for yourself having regard to you activities and the temperature each day. Also you have to avoid the danger of overdoing the water intake. Too much water can cause a loss of essential body sodium and electrolytes, with ill effects on muscles and heart. You need water for a properly functioning back and discs but you have to learn what is right for yourself. Respond to your body and be alert to what it tells you is needed.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones - Are You Having Lower Back Pain

The presence of kidney stones can be a severely painful experience for somebody going through a kidney stone attack. It can be difficult to self diagnose if you do not know the symptoms that accompany a kidney stone attack. There can be many reasons for you to have kidney stone and if you are one of the people more prone to the ailment you should be careful and try to prevent the condition. You should also know the symptoms of kidney stone so that if you experience any symptoms you can get yourself treated as soon as possible.

An early detection of this disease can help a patient prevent further more serious problems to the urinary tract. If you think you have kidney stones be sure to consult your doctor, who will guide you as to the best course of treatment available to you. It is not necessary that everyone going through kidney stone problems will have the same symptoms; a sufferer can get any combination of general symptoms, or in some cases all symptoms together. Be sure to be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms which generally affect a person with this disease.

The main symptom for stones in the kidney is pain in the lower back area or the pelvic. This pain can range from dull pain to severe pain depending on the size of the stone. The pain can become excruciating if a stone is blocking the ureter and stopping liquids from passing through. Sometimes painkillers will provide temporary relief, but this kind of pain should not be ignored, treatment should be provided at the earliest.

The presence of blood in the urine is another symptom of kidney stones, especially if accompanied by pain in the lower back and pelvic area. If you are suffering from pain observe the urine, you might be able to see signs of blood in it or the urine could be an unusual color. This is also a sign for alarm that should not be ignored.

Another symptom of it is difficulty urinating, if you find urinating a painful experience or feel a burning sensation during or after urination, consult your doctor, this could be due to damage caused by a stone in the ureter or even due to a blockage of the ureter due to a stone.

A urinary tract infection caused by stones in the kidney can make you feverish and cause chills, this is a sign of an infection in the body and it is very likely that stones in the kidney are causing the infection.

These are some major signs and symptoms of a lingering stone in the kidney problem; you could be experiencing any of the above stated symptoms or a combination of some of the symptoms. You should know your body and should consult a doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Getting treatment at the earliest is the best thing you can do for yourself if you are suffering from any medical problems.

Lower Back Pain Relief - In a Few Minutes

Lower back pain is one of the most common problems faced by many people. The pain can be caused due to excessive two wheeler riding, improper cushioning on the seats, and exposure to jerks, carrying heavy weights, wrong posture etc. You need to get relief in order to lead your normal routine life. Pain in the lower back can cause a lot of discomfort and lay a lot of stress on your behavior.

Remedies

You can get comfort and freedom from back pain by using a cold pack in the affected area. By placing a cold compression, the joints and muscles can tighten up. The muscles would loosen up and relax when the pack is removed. This relief is only temporary and makes the pain a little tolerable. This remedy can be followed by a hot compress. The muscles are loosened up and are more responsive to the hot pack treatment. Hot compresses give you more relief and are a good muscle relaxant.

You can also consider taking pills for the remedial purpose. Taking OTC medicines may not work all the time. It can only provide you with temporary relief. If your pain is severe, it is advisable to see a doctor for getting medicines prescribed. Use of medicines can make one addictive and immune to its effect and dosage. A doctor will, however, give you the right dosage and medication for getting relief.

Exercises also give relief from any pain. This is especially true for backache. It is good to follow a good exercise regime in your routine. Yoga or light stretches as daily exercises would do a lot of good to your muscles. These exercises not only eliminate the problem but also prevent the pain from coming back.

Backache is commonly seen in those who have desk jobs or a sedentary lifestyle. You need to get some form of exercise and stretches to prevent any pain. Slouching and sitting in front of the television can also aggravate your pain. Stretching and standing every one hour and taking a walk around for a few minutes is a good lower remedy.

You can even get some exercise by lying on your stomach and raising your chest and yourself using only your elbows. Your hips should be rested down. This can be a good stretch for your back and also a good relaxant for your lower back.

Try to get your lower back pain relief as quickly as possible. This relief will not only alleviate your pain but is also a big boost for your emotional level and confidence.

Dying For Lower Back Pain Relief?

Your back is killing you, you've tried a few things but nothing is working. Now you're looking for a lower back pain relief alternative. Unfortunately, this problem is so prevalent that 80% of adults experience it.
Instead of wasting time writing about the obvious, I'm going to reveal to you some techniques, tools and resources I've used to help relieve your pain.

First of all, you must understand a few things. There are different types of back pain and there are many causes. It can be difficult to diagnose the initial culprit of your pain. There is back pain that is cause by degeneration or a herniated intervertebral disk, pain caused by strain, stress, diseases, bad posture, over exertion, even weight gain.

To help assist in lower back pain relief you will need to eliminate bad habits. Here are the top 5:
1. Stop stressing - believe it or not stress is a huge factor in a lot of common diseases and internal pain. The less stressed you are the less tense you'll be and you'll experience less injury, hence less lower back pain.
2. Stop sleeping on soft surfaces -a firm mattress will often help alleviate your lower back pain. In addition, sleep on your side NOT YOU'RE YOUR STOMACH.
3. Do not site in the same position for an extensive period of time!
4. Do not pick up or carry heavy items (25 lbs should be the maximum).
5. Attention woman: do not wear high heels.

Now, if you're back is suffering from acute pain, that is not frequent, here's what you can do to help relieve this issue.
1. Apply ice for 48 hours, and heat after.
2. Apply an ointment to the affected area.
3. Soak in a very warm bath.
4. Inversion tables are actually extremely effective and can provide relief and strengthen your back, along with other things.
5. Try to avoid animal proteins, this can actually contribute to the problem.

Treatments and Exercises for Lower Back Pain

Lumbago, commonly known as lower back pain, is one of the muscle related ailments that is quite common in the workforce. Doctors have noted that this is the number two reason why patients visit a doctor.

The causes of pain in the back may be due to muscle strain or soft tissues sprain at the back. Lower back ache is actually a symptom, which may involve injuries or other diseases. As such, there are three classifications: acute, sub acute and chronic back pain. The acute low back pain's duration is less than 4 weeks. The sub acute pain duration spans from four to twelve weeks. Lastly, chronic pain duration lasts for more than twelve weeks.

There are several ways to treat lumbago. One way is to take pain medications and apply heat compression to the affected area. Massages may also be applied to relieve the pain on the back. There are also exercises that can be used to recondition the lumbar area. However, these exercises for lower back problems may only be applied after the tenderness has subsided. It is important to note that each patient suffering from this ailment should be evaluated by a doctor so that corresponding exercises for lumbago may be tailor fitted to the cause of the malady.

Physical Therapy is also a good option for patients suffering from lumbago, which employs exercises to strengthen the back. There are programs of exercises for lower back pain that would relieve pain especially for chronic pain in the low back area. There are two common exercises for lower back pain programs that are being used by PT professionals. These are Williams' flexion exercises and Mackenzie back exercises, which are specific exercises for the lower region of the back. The first set of exercises is the Williams' flexion exercises which is composed of partial sit-ups, squats, pelvic tilts, hip flexor stretch, single knee to chest, hamstring stretch and double knee to chest exercises. On the other hand, Mackenzie back extension exercises are standing extensions, prone press ups, prone lying and prone lying on elbows and progressive extension with pillows. Exercises for lower back pain are always part of the treatment for chronic lumbago.

There are many ways that one can employ to prevent lumbago. Employees are encouraged to do routine exercises in their workstations to prevent lumbago. Also, one has to do proper stretching and prevention exercises for lower back pain before lifting weights to prevent muscle strains. There are also support devices available in the market that one can use to prevent low back injury. Always remember that prevention is always better and much cheaper than cure.

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

How is your lower back feeling these days?

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

1.) Introduction to This Article

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

2.) Axial back Pain

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

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

3.) Benefits of Conservative Treatment

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

4.) Back Supports For Pain Relief

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

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

Cure For Lower Back Pain - How You Can Go Medieval on Your Pain and Outmaneuver it Today!

The most common reason why lower back pain thrives is due to fact that many people ignore it until it is too late. I sincerely hope that this is not the case for you because you can actually access a fantastic cure for lower back pain today if you act quickly.

Lower back pain can be caused by many things. A few of these include; automobile injury to the back, a tensed muscle, a pinched sciatic nerve which results due to the inflammation of surrounding muscles, menstrual cramps, fibroid tumors, endometriosis, osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, excess weight, lack of exercise, infections, slipped discs, smoking, and so on.

So now that we know what the causes might be, how do we get rid of the pain already? Well, read on...

You can start by performing low impact exercise routines particularly yoga. Yoga is often mistaken to be only useful as a calming exercise; this is not the case at all. Performing yoga routines can help to relieve lower back pain and strengthen your bones and your spine. If you achieve these, then your spine and bones will become more pliant and more able to resist stress.

Did I hear you say; "but yoga is not medieval?" Well, I hope I did not because you can bet your farm on the fact that it is. And then there is more...

Calcium - "For strong bones and teeth" and also for strengthening your cartilage too. Make sure that you incorporate a lot of calcium into your daily diet so that you are fortified enough to counteract the pain.

And now for the real medieval stuff: Herbs...

If you think that herbs are new, then you really have another "think" coming. Herbs have been around since the Garden of Eden. For those who do not know what the Garden of Eden is (or where it is at), then allow me to state the previous statement in another way: Herbs have been around since the beginning of time...

They have been proven to be very effective in curing a lot of conditions and ailments since then so much so that they have formed the base compounds of many of today's effective drugs.

To cure lower back pain, you might want to opt for the following herbs; arthcare oil, lemon, turpentine Oil, potato, zanthoxylum clava herculis, German chamomile, burdock, devil's claw, etcetera.

Herbs work as a temporary remedy for this condition, but you need to access a permanent cure right? If so, you need to read on to the next page where you will get access an innovative cure which thousands of former back pain sufferers used to stop their pain completely once and for all. Read on...

FACT: Most conventional treatments for back trouble only work as a temporary band aid solution; they all fail to work in the long run!

A Diet For Lower Back Pain

Back pain is among the most common health problems. It is the leading cause of job-related disability, the second most common cause of missed work days, and the leading cause of disability in people aged 18 to 45. Pain in the lower back is most likely to occur between the ages of 30 and 50, during the most productive period of most people's lives.

Fortunately, most cases of lower back disability are self-limited. That is, they go away no matter how they are treated. For some people the pain becomes chronic, meaning it is does not go away and causes problems indefinitely.

Lower back pain usually develops over a period of years from accumulated abuses of the spine, many of which are not painful when they are incurred. Even when there is a single identifiable acute injury that causes the lower back to hurt, the overall condition of the back, not just the condition of the spine, determines speed of recovery and whether pain becomes permanent.

Nutritional supplements do not have a direct or immediate on pain. They prevent further injury to bone. Over the course of months and years, this reduces back and related pains, but you will not see immediate results.

Is there a food that can give you fast relief from pain? Actually, there are two: Almost any entree made with ginger and/or a peppery food (chili sauce, hot salsa, curry) will offer you a slight amount of relief. For long-term improvement of pain in the back, however, you will do best to follow the bone-building guidelines for any good diet for osteoporosis.

Driving And Back Pain - Is Your Car Seat Causing Lower Back Pain?

A lot of us experience lower back pain whilst driving. A number of researches have investigated the relationship between driving and Back Pain, which uncovered uncovered some interesting results. One finding is a comparison of drivers in the USA and in Sweden found that 50% of people questioned in both countries reported low back pain.

So what is the connection of driving and back pain?

So far research has found three factors for low back pain whilst driving. The first one is the vibration from the engine (something that you can not change), the sitting position is the second factor and the third one is the length of time that we drive.

Scientists at laboratories have researched the effects of vibration of our body whilst driving. The Lumbar Spine(lower back) naturally resonates at a frequency of 4-5 Hertz and from research they found that this natural frequency can be distorted. This distortion can result into higher spinal loadings (compression) in the lower back, therefore causing an increased chance of low back pain. As mentioned before you can not change the vibration of the engine, but what you can do to reduce the effects of this on your lower back is to drive shorter periods at a time.

It is a lot easier to get comfortable in your seat when the car is stationary, a bit like sitting in a normal chair. But once you start driving the body will be subject to various forces like accelerations and decelerations, lateral movements from side to side and whole body vibrations.When we sit on a chair our feet, when on the floor, are used to support and stabilise the lower body. Whilst driving our abdominal muscles can not provide enough stability to our upper body and arms when turning the wheel. This will result in a significant increase of torsional stresses in the lower back, which in return will significantly increase the risk of low back pain.

To start with we should address one more important issue first - we all are guilty when it comes to adjusting our car seats correctly! In 2004 one of the largest car insurance companies (I won't mention a name, after all you may think I am paid to write about this), released the findings of a research into how we sit in our car. (about 2.000 people were involved in this).

The research resulted in the following -

• The headrest was found to be in an incorrect angle when driving of 61% of people involved in the study. This will increase the chance of ruptures of the spinal ligaments or worse when involved in an accident.

• 50% showed a slouched or hunched position over the steering wheel.

• About a third of the drivers had back pain whilst driving.

• 25% tilted their heads or shifted in their seats each time they had to look into the 'rear view mirror'.

• Wearing unsuitable footwear or clothing happened to 34% of the drivers.
  
  

Please find below a list of 10 ways that can help to improve your seating position, make your driving experience more comfortable.

The Seat

Make sure that your bottom sits all the way in the back of the seat - where the base and the back of the seat meet. This will help to make you sit more upright and maintain the natural curvature of the spine, minimizing the stress on the spinal ligaments. If your seat has a lumbar roll built in have this all the way out - most cars with lumbar support that i tried do not allow enough support fom this lumbar roll, therefore it would be best to have it all the way out.

The Base length and Height of the Seat

The base of the seat should never touch the back of your knees and the front of the base should be slightly higher then the back, helping to provide more support and allowing you press the pedals without changing your spinal posture.

The Backrest

First relax back into your seat, place the seat at about a 10-15 degrees incline from the vertical position. If this feels unnatural to you then it probably means that the backrest is not upright enough for you. This can result into neck strain and / or coccyx (sitting bone) pain. Move the backrest more upright or if that doesn't help you can place a small towel (folded in three) against the midspine, between the shoulder blades.

The Headrest

Have you ever noticed when watching an American movie that the headrests are often missing from the seats - it makes me crinch each time i see this (ooch). So much for giving a good example to our children. The position of your headrest will not only help to minimise the injuries of an accident but also to help to allow a better posture. The bony bit at the back of your head (known as the 'inion') is a good guiding point, the headrest should be level with this. There should be about 2.3 cm's (1 inch for the non -metrics) between the back of your head and the headrest, when you are in the sitting position as described earlier. This to absorb shock as much as possible. This allows for the ligaments and the muscles of your neck to control the posture of your head better and giving better support in case of an accident.

Seat - Pedal distance

Make sure you have the distance between seat and the pedals so that when operating the pedals this does not cause you to over strech your legs or twist your body in any way. Thus your legs should not be straight when pushing the throttle or clutch all the way down. Obviously your knees should not be bend to the point you cannot easily move from one pedal to another. It is normally advised to have your knees bend about 45 degrees.

The Arm position

Your arms should be as relaxed as possible, elbows bend around 20-30 degrees. If your steering wheel is adjustable have it in the mid to lower position (make sure the wheel does not partially obstruct the instrument panel), this will help to reduce the stress on your shoulders. Your hands should be positioned at '10 past10' and not as is suggested left hand at 9 o'clock and right hand at 3 o'clock.

The Armrests

If your seat has armrests then it is advised to use these. As a guidance you should position the armrests so that they gently support the elbows, any more will cause the shoulders to rise and increase the change of straining your neck.

The Mirrors

These should only be adjusted once you have positioned your seat as described above. If not sure then please revisit the information again how to adjust your seat. The mirrors should be adjusted to allow you to freely look into them without the need of having to move your head much. you either have adjusted the mirrors incorrectly or you are to close to the steering wheel.

Adjusting Seat at intervals

This sound great in theory but for most of us this may be akward whilst driving. For those who have electric seats it is easier (although it always advicable to stop first), just reach for the buttons to adjust the seat without the need to take our attention of the road. It is said that you should be doing this every 30 mins. to reduce the incidents of back pain. This allows to change the pressure that is placed on the spine is varied regularly. Once arrived at your destination it would be good to strech! (don't worry if it looks funny, soon everybody in the carpark will join in - you can be proud having started a new 'healthy' trend)

Have breaks

We all have seen the 'take a break' sign along the roads, helping you to avoid falling asleep behind the wheel. Taking a break helps your back as well, so when you need to take a rest you can have a strech at the same time to help your back. An hour maximum is the current thinking, although these tips should be taken as a general rule. This is a good time to adjust your seating position!

Low Back Pain Cure - Some Effective Home Remedies

If you are suffering from pin in your lower back then heave a sigh of relief as there are many remedies at hand. The easiest way is to take some pain relievers like aspirins, Tylenol or Motrin to get instant relief but if the pain persists for a couple of days it would be wiser if you see your doctor about it. Another great home remedy is to use a cold compress like a package of frozen peas/carrots or corn on the pain point for at least 10 minutes. If the pain still persists then try using a heating pad to get relief but make sure you seek your doctor's help if the pain remains even after a couple of days.

Try moving around a bit to get some relieve instead of lying in bed. But while moving around try not to make jerky movements as this can certainly enhance your pain. This could leave you with more pain than you previously had. Do your routine daily chores but in a much more paced manner with slower movements. If after all this you pain is still around then head straight to a specialist who could help relieve your pain like a chiropractor, acupuncturist or massage therapist.

Low back pain normally responds well to simple remedies without the person having to resort to any surgery. If you have persistent back pain for more than 3 days then it is advisable that you report it immediately to your doctor as ignoring the pain can cause much more harm.

Here are some time tested home remedies for back pain. Take bed rest but nothing over 2 days. But there is nothing like continuing with your daily work as this would help retain the flexibility of your back and you can avoid blood clots in your legs. Try doing simple exercises like doing gentle stretches nothing exerting, slow walks or just anything else which would help you keep moving. Doing gentle yoga postures would help relieve your lower back pain as the stretches help to relieve the pain in your back.

Another remedy you could try is taking a massage from a trained massage therapist where the masseur works on the spinal area for pain relief. You can also see a chiropractor or an acupuncturist. In acupuncture, thin needles are inserted at precise points called meridians which are found all over the body which help to relief pain. The inserted needles at the meridian points help release peptides or painkilling molecules to help release any blocked energy.

There are also other lower back pain remedies which people with pain can try just to get some relief. Acupuncture biofeedback is one such remedy where the patient is taught to be consciously aware of all that's happening in their body like heart rate, muscle tension etc.

There is another therapy for lower back pain called interventional therapy. In this therapy the nerve conduction between certain areas of the brain and body are blocked and this is done with the help of injecting local anesthetics, steroids or even narcotics into areas like joints, soft tissues and nerve roots. If you feel you need to get help with your lower back pain the best thing would be to talk to your doctor so that both of you can work out a remedy that will be best for you.

You can also try traction which has been known to have helped many with low back pain problems. In this, the use of weights is involved. Here a constant or intermittent force is applied which helps get your spinal cord back in alignment. Do not ignore back pain symptoms and it is wiser to consult your physician immediately.

Lower Back Pain Relief, Get the Best Ergonomic Office Chair

The computer has made the world a smaller place, but in the process it has wrought a pandemic of muscle spasms, pinched nerves, and vision problems, not to mention carpal tunnel syndrome, all of which have become a sign of our times.

Ironically, the antidote to these potentially dangerous maladies has arrived via another, equally ingenious category of technology, ergonomic design.

According to Wikipedia, Ergonomics "is the science of designing user interaction with equipment and workplaces to fit the user. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability". Remember, not every chair that claims to be ergonomically designed really is, so do your homework to find the best ergonomic office chair to support your lower back and to avoid lower back pain.

Great ergonomic designs of chairs, stools, desks, arm rests, lighting, and a host of other anti-stress devices have arrived, and none too soon, to save the day (and our bodies). There are now outstanding office chairs ergonomically engineered to keep the body in correct alignment during long days in front of the computer. We think nothing of investing in the proper sports shoes and golf clubs, but we'll never make it out to the golf course if the office has "done us in" first.

The best office chair for back support and protection is the Aeron Chair by Herman Miller. It does its job so well, in fact, that it was chosen to be in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

And there's another model at Herman Miller, called the "Embody Chair", designed to increase blood circulation and improve the flow of oxygen to the brain. Hence, the first ergonomically designed chair that promotes both Mind and Body health.

One other outstanding back saver is the "Generation Chair" by Knoll. It's designed to support every position you might strike during the workday. Accomplished via four independent flexors, the chair changes "intuitively" with motion, and the elastic seat conforms to one's own individual contours.

As one who has suffered from lower back pain for years, I am so happy that there are chairs and office furnishings designed specifically to prevent this pain.

To be sure, no engineering of any description can take the place of daily exercise and stretching. This practice should be the foundation on which we build our day. But even with good workout habits, we still need to take precautions against the potentially irreversible damage that can be brought about by not giving the back proper support during marathon days at the computer. Lower back pain relief does happen when you sit in a chair, designed to maintain correct posture, thus keeping you in proper alignment.

'Puter-Potatoes unite and install the best office chair for back support! You don't need lower back pain. Don't sacrifice your health to your work - it's not necessary and it's certainly not optimal.

-Karen S

Sciatica Pain Relief - Natural Lower Back Pain Relief

Sciatica pain relief in a few simple and very easy steps.

If you know what to do, and most importantly, what to target, sciatica pain relief can be simple, easy and quick.

I get two common questions in my practice about sciatica. If you know the answers to these will help you getting directions to solving your back problems. Although back pain may be a pretty complex issue it can be solved using very simple solutions.

The techniques necessary to solve the sciatica problems and the lower back pain are easy to use, quick to apply, takes almost no time and ca be used daily and compared to back pains this surely won't rule your life.

First question: What are the Simple Steps to Follow?

If you want to get rid of the sciatica pain you need to find the main factors that cause this. If you don't find all the factors, the pain will return soon or will never leave.

When it returns it usually gets worse with each episode and this is why so many people complain about constant nagging back pain. Sciatica commonly becomes more severe as the time passes and eventually surgery becomes the only valid option. If you fail to address all the factors that causes your sciatica you will suffer when you get older.

The solutions are simple: 1. Release tension in the muscles which can be accomplished by stretching (most important is to know when and how to stretch). You need to warm up a beat before doing any stretching because your muscles need to have their blood supply and nerve stimulated. This saves time and reduced the chances to get some minor injuries while stretching.

Joints must move correctly and your pelvis needs to be well balanced. Your muscular system will fail if your joints do not improve. The same thing goes for your pelvis - if it does not improve your muscular system will continually fail.

See, these very simple, painless and quick ways to evade the sciatica pain by keeping your pelvis and joints in a good shape.

Simple Tips to Ease Back Pain at Night

Millions of Americans suffer from restless, uncomfortable sleep, and poor body support at night may be the root of the problem. Aligning your body the way nature intended can minimize tossing and turning, relieve aches and pains and alleviate morning stiffness, helping you feel better all day.

Dr. Scott Donkin, an ergonomics specialist who has created an educational pamphlet series including Sleeping Fit and author of "Sitting On The Job," says that the importance of leg support at night is often overlooked. "Stress and discomfort often result from the upper leg and knee being unsupported during side sleeping. The sleeper instinctively shifts the upper knee forward, causing the hips and spine to rotate, putting a twisting force on the lower back. This often leads to low back pain at night and can aggravate an existing condition.

"The solution is to place a leg pillow between your lower thighs. This keeps the upper legs even, eliminating pressure on the knees and drastically reducing the tendency to twist the hips. Maintaining a comfortable open side posture helps keep your spine in a natural, relaxed position for a great night's sleep."

"Sleeping with better alignment is easy and affordable if you know what can help," says Scott Davis, CEO of Contour Living, a leading U.S. ergonomic sleep and comfort company. "Consumers are beginning to recognize the effectiveness of sleep support and alignment products as a natural means for getting good rest and minimizing aches and pains."

Here are some tips to help you properly align your body for restful sleep:

o The National Institutes of Health recommends sleeping with a pillow between your legs as a treatment for low back pain.

o Head pillows should be shaped to support the curve of your cervical spine.

o Leg pillows should fit the shape of your legs to comfortably stay put at night.

o Look for mattress pads that support the curve of your lumbar spine, rather than just a flat piece of foam.

o The two most important features to consider when choosing body alignment products are shape and material. Memory foam best relieves pressure points, while fiberfill offers a softer feel and more ventilation.

Proper support is important for good sleep. Using a leg pillow like this one from Contour Living is an easy, low-cost way to help relieve back, hip and leg aches at night

Low Back Pain and Sciatica - Inflammatory Pain, the Worst Pain of All

We have nearly all been there. You do something which seems quite innocuous, such as putting you shoes/socks on, picking something up, getting out of a chair and BANG your back 'goes'.

The next thing you know, you cannot move due to the searing low back pain or sciatica you are feeling. What should you do now...?

Inflammatory Pain - There's nothing worse

Unfortunately, you are now experiencing inflammatory pain, where the structures responsible are inflamed and consequently the pain is constant. Even the slightest of movements, cough or sneeze will exacerbate the pain no end.

At this stage, the best thing you can do is rest. By rest, I do not mean put yourself in bed for a few days, rather find the most comfortable position you can for your pain. This usually involves lying down, be it on your back, stomach or side lying with a couple of pillows supporting your top leg.

When you find the most comfortable position, ideally you should either stand up and take a few steps or at least change position every 30-60 minutes, as it is also important to keep as active as possible. However, if your low back pain/sciatica is extremely inflamed, complete rest can sometimes be indicated for 24-36 hours. All of the time though, the emphasis will be on becoming more active as you feel appropriate.

I often use the analogy here of hitting you thumb with a hammer, At first everything hurts, the pain is constant and you only have to brush your thumb against something and the pain increases dramatically and the inflammation flares up again. If however, you can avoid aggravating your thumb, the inflammation will settle down and you will find you can do more and more with your thumb without aggravating the pain.

This is very similar to what is happening with your low back pain or sciatica. Every time you perform an activity which significantly increases your pain, you are further encouraging inflammation to take place. However, if you can avoid unnecessarily aggravating it, it will begin to settle down and you will find you can become more active.

That is why it is so important to give yourself 'relative rest' in the early days (by relative rest, I mean if you are able to be a little active, even if it involves just a few steps, I encourage it). As your low back pain/sciatica then begins to settle, and it will, you will then need to slowly but surely encourage more activity.

As the pain moves away from its initial inflammatory state and you become more active, you should then consider an appropriate gentle exercise programme. The likelihood is you have some muscle imbalance present which has caused you to suffer this attack of pain in the first place i.e. tight and weak muscles.

If you wish to resolve your low back pain/sciatica as soon as possible, as well as dramatically reduce the chances of suffering another attack in the future, addressing the cause of your current episode of pain is essential.

Can Tight Muscles Cause Low Back Pain or Sciatica?

It's a question I am often asked, can tight muscles really cause low back pain or sciatica, and I always answer the same... absolutely.

The body relies on muscles for movement and stability. All muscles have what is referred to as an origin (where the muscle begins and this part of the muscle is typically attached to the bone that does not move when the muscle contracts) and an insertion (where the muscle ends and this part of the muscle is typically attached to the bone that does move when the muscle is contracted). When the muscle contracts i.e. we work the muscle, one of two things can happen:

Movement: The muscle shortens which brings the origin and insertion closer together. It is this action which creates movement e.g. your biceps muscle contracting and bringing your forearm up towards your upper arm/shoulder.

Stability: With this situation, the muscle is working, but no-where near to the intensity that it does when movement is required. It is more a case of there being increased tension in the muscle to help support the joint that the muscle passes across.

The muscles throughout our body are each designed for their own specific function, with some being primarily for movement and others stability. However, regardless of their specific role, if the muscle becomes tight, for whatever reason, there will be too much stress placed upon the joint it crosses and is supposed to move or stabilise. This increased stress will begin to aggravate the joint concerned, and/or adjacent structures, and consequently this will potentially lead to pain.

Low back pain or sciatica which results as a consequence of tight muscles can have a gradual or sudden onset. The reason for this is as follows:

Gradual onset: with the tight muscle(s) placing increased stress across the joint and associated structures, this stress will slowly but surely build up. Eventually, the threshold level at which you begin to feel pain will be breached and consequently you will feel pain. If you do not address the cause of this pain i.e. the tight muscle(s), then this pain is likely to increase further as time passes.

Sudden onset: this is more a case of 'the straw breaking the camel's back'. If you have tight muscles which are placing increased stress across the structures concerned, that stress will be creeping nearer and nearer towards your own pain threshold level, at which stage you will perceive pain. However, it may be the case that this stress is still a some way from causing you pain, yet you then perform a specific activity or movement which pushes the stress above your pain threshold level and therefore you will feel pain.

A classic example of this latter point is when people bend forward to put some socks or shoes on or maybe pick something up as innocuous as a piece of paper. I have had many patients say to me that 'all they did' was perform such an activity and they felt pain. The situation is that under normal circumstances a movement like that would not have caused them pain, however due to the tight muscles driving the stress across the structures of their lower back/sciatic nerve nearer and nearer to their own body's pain threshold level, what seems like an innocuous movement can be enough to cause severe pain.

I have no doubt that such pain can be quite straight forward to cure, however, it is imperative that the cause of the pain is addressed i.e. the tight muscles, and not just the signs and symptoms. If this is achieved, then not only will the pain be resolved, but the chances of such an occurrence happening again will also be greatly diminished, if not eliminated.

Arthritis and Low Back Pain

The first thing I wish to impress upon you if you have been diagnosed as having 'arthritis' of your lower back, is do not worry! Arthritis in the lower back is something everyone will endure, from as young as our late twenties or early thirties (depending upon which research you read).

Therefore, if you have received the results of your X-ray and have subsequently been told the cause of your low back pain is arthritis (or wear and tear as it is sometimes called), do not be too concerned and think there is nothing which can be done for your pain.

As we get older and suffer wear and tear of any joint, this only means that the chances of us developing pain from that joint have increased, it is not a foregone conclusion however. As the wear and tear takes place, physical changes occur about that joint in response to the increased stresses being placed across it. It is how our body adapts to these changes which is the biggest indicator as to whether or not you will suffer pain, not the changes themselves.

Some people are very fortunate, whereby you may look at their X-ray and there will be a high degree of wear & tear present, yet they may be suffering very little or no pain at all. On the other hand, another person may not be so fortunate and have an X-ray where the arthritic changes present are relatively small, yet they will be in quite severe pain.

The main difference between these two individuals is not relative to the amount of wear and tear present, but rather how their own body's have responded to that wear and tear.

The most significant thing which arthritis does to a joint is it sensitises the structures involved, consequently increasing the likelihood of perceiving pain.

Consequently, if you can reduce these stresses across the joints concerned, by either stretching or strengthening the appropriate structures which have an influence over the arthritic joint, there is every chance the pain being felt can be resolved.

Therefore, if you are suffering with low back pain as a result of arthritis, do not give up hope. Although it may be a little more difficult, it does not mean for definite there is nothing which can be done for you. I have treated many patients who have been diagnosed with arthritis of their spine, yet they have gone on to make a 100% recovery.

In addition to this, it is important I add that the arthritis shown by the X-ray may be a complete red herring and have nothing at all to do with your pain!

Bearing in mind the majority of us will show signs of arthritis in our spine as we pass through our late twenties/thirties, if you were to X-ray 100 people within this age group who were suffering with no pain whatsoever, there is a very high likelihood that some of these individuals will be showing sign of arthritis of their spine... so how comes they are not suffering with low back pain?

The reason is just as I have explained above, arthritis increases the likelihood of you getting pain, it does not mean you are going to suffer pain. Even though you may be showing signs of arthritis on your X-ray, there maybe another very simple reason for your pain which is not due to that.

Therefore, in summary, all I am saying is that if you have been told you are suffering with arthritis of your low back, do not be too alarmed. It is something everyone suffers with as they get older and may have nothing at all to do with the pain you are currently suffering.

Even if it is contributing towards your pain though, it still doesn't mean there is nothing which can be done.

Lumbar Muscle Discomfort Treatment - Many Options, But Just One End Goal

It's smart to learn what the most reliable muscle pain therapy is that will help in providing lasting and short term pain relief and in the process free you from the ache that is making your back muscle tissue hurt so much. One possible reason why lumbar muscle ache occurs is because you have been maintaining an improper posture. Though there are several other causes for lumbar muscle ache, an improper posture is a very common cause and it often leads to severe ache in the upper as well as lower back.

Don't Sit In One Position For Too much time

If you have been sitting in a single position for extended periods of time this can cause lumbar muscle ache while other reasons for seeking back muscle discomfort therapy include suddenly lifting heavy loads, over exertion and even stress can become a reason for back muscle pain. If, however, you have been involved in a car accident that resulted in whiplash, this too can lead to lumbar muscle ache.

No matter of the cause of lumbar muscle ache, you will need to makes sure to get the condition treated immediately because it would be wrong to expect that the soreness will subside or go away on its own - because it won't. Immediate back muscle ache treatment is necessary as it can provide relief and also prevent further worsening of the condition.

Back muscle discomfort treatment might also require that you have to take a holistic approach to finding relief and it could even mean undertaking long lasting therapy for your lumbar. Other than that, it may also require that you tailor your eating habits so as to get maximum nutritious benefits, and along with pain relief therapy and exercises, the eating habits can go a long way in providing very successful pain relief from back muscle pain.

For those who are not struggling from an especially severe case of back muscle ache, simple home remedies can prove to be successful lumbar muscle soreness treatments which would only require needing to apply ice on the affected parts in order to get pain relief.

Another form of muscle ache treatment is using heat therapy that is especially useful in treating back soreness. It just requires that you use hot water containers or even towels dipped in hot water. You can apply the hot water bottle or towel for as long as they remain hot. Even massaging the back can prove to be a useful and successful back muscle pain therapy method that will help to improve blood circulation and also heat up the area that is experiencing lumbar muscle ache.

If you are looking for a back soreness alternative treatment, look no further than learning how to maintain the proper pose because more often than not, back pain is actually only caused by holding a poor pose. Even yoga and certain easy exercises can prove to be helpful lumbar muscle soreness treatments and they are certainly well worth considering the next time you need to get pain relief from your back muscle discomfort.

Left Side and Right Side Lower Back Pain: Common Causes

One of the best ways to narrow down the possible causes of your back pain is to consider where the pain is located and what type of pain sensation you feel. Many people complain of lower back pain on either the right or left side. The following descriptions of causes may help you understand your pain better.

Muscular Lower Back Pain

Pain on one side of the body may indicate a simple muscle strain. This type of pain is located in a muscle and may be felt as stiffness, soreness or an ache. Muscle strain occurs when a muscle is overworked or overstretched and suffers tears. They can occur in any number of ways throughout the day, such as twisting to the side and lifting an object.

Most cases of muscle strain heal within days. You can alleviate pain by applying ice to the muscle during the first twenty-four hours for 20 minute at a time. Once the muscle is no longer inflamed, you can use heat to loosen it up.

If you have chronic muscle pain, it is possible that a lower back muscle on one side suffers from an overuse injury. This could occur if your job or other daily activities require you to use the muscle constantly. If you have a desk job and frequently turn to one side, for example, one side of your lower back may be strained. Overuse injuries require a change in behavior to heal. Changing the layout of your work station may be a solution to this.

If you have chronic muscle strain, it is possible that your muscle has developed trigger points. These are dense knots that form and make it difficult for the muscle to relax. Trigger point massage therapy or self-myofascial release (SMR) can work out trigger points.

SI Joint Pain

The sacroiliac (SI) joint is formed where the large hip bones meets the sacrum in the lower back on each side. SI joint dysfunction occurs when the joint is misaligned and has either too much or too little motion. It becomes inflamed and irritates the sciatic nerve that runs down the leg. There are a number of causes of SI joint dysfunction; pregnancy, impact, muscle imbalance and leg length discrepancy are common causes.

The SI joint is indicated as your source of pain if the pain is centered on the joint. The joint is usually inflamed if you have SI joint dysfunction, so it may be painful to the touch. The pain may be achy or sharp and often radiates into the lower back, buttocks, hips and thighs. You may also notice that one side of your pelvis is higher or sticks out more than the other. If you have these symptoms, it would be wise to ask your doctor to test for SI joint dysfunction. Physical therapy may assist in recovery.

Sciatica Pain

The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back to the foot on each side of the body. The nerve can become compressed or irritated by a herniated disc, tight piriformis muscle in the hip, vertebral misalignment or inflamed SI joint. These are the most common causes of sciatica pain.

"True" sciatica is marked by compression of the nerve root as it exits the spine. That said, vertebral misalignment and herniated disc are the most common causes of sciatica. SI joint inflammation and the piriformis muscle irritate the nerve further down its length and create similar pain, just with a different starting point. "True" sciatica is characterized by a sharp pain that radiates from the lower back into the buttocks and legs, sometimes as far down as the foot. Treating this kind of sciatica may require chiropractic care, physical therapy and spinal decompression treatments. SI joint dysfunction and piriformis syndrome create similar pain, but the pain may be worst at the joint or hip. These conditions benefit from physical therapy.

Pain in one side of your back could indicate muscle strain, SI joint dysfunction or sciatica. If the pain is sore or achy and for the most part localized, you likely have a muscle strain on one side of your back. If the pain is sharp and radiates, you can suspect either sciatica or the SI joint. With a little education, you may be able to resolve your back pain on our own. For more serious conditions, you can help your doctor arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

Lower Back Pain Exercises and Strengthening Exercises

People who suffer from chronic low back pain secondary to nerve impingement or improper posture would benefit from doing lower back pain exercises. The objectives of these exercises are to promote proper posture, strengthen the trunk muscles which are the abdominals and back muscles and to stretch the tight muscles to facilitate proper movements and posture.

These exercises are usually taught by trained physical therapists during therapy sessions. However, doctors also introduce these to their patients who complain of low back pain to prevent aggravating the condition and initiate trunk muscle strengthening early on.

Lower back pain exercises consist of simple, basic and easy-to-follow exercises which patients can do at home or even at work during their break time. Constant repetition can promote stronger abdominals and back muscles thereby significantly minimizing the pain and promoting proper posture. Here are some of the most basic exercises;

1. Wall slides. You can do this very simple exercise by standing with your back against the wall. Make sure that the back of your head, shoulders and buttocks are against the wall. Put your right or left hand against your lower back (palm facing the wall) as if supporting the natural arc or "lordosis" of your lower back.

The heels of your feet must be approximately 3 inches away from the wall. This posture should be maintained while slowly sliding down against the wall and bending your knees carefully. This is one of the most basic lower back pain exercises that you can do at home or in your office during your break. Do the wall slides for around 10 to 15 repetitions preferably twice daily.

2. Pelvic tilt. Do this exercise lying down on your back. Bend your knees keeping both feet flat on the floor or exercise mat. Place one of your hands on your lower back with the palm against the floor or mat. Hold this position while attempting to press your lower back against your hand which is placed underneath it.

Hold it for 5 counts and relax. Repeat 10 to 15 times. This movement is called the pelvic tilt. You are actually tilting your pelvis backwards by pressing your lower back against the mat. In doing this, you will feel your abdominal muscles tightening as you hold the tilt longer.

3. One of the best lower back pain exercises is the deep lunge. This exercise stretches the muscles in front of your thigh (Quads) and abdomen. You can do this by kneeling on one knee. Put your other foot in front. Slowly lift the knee up and keep looking forward. Hold the position for 5 seconds and repeat 3 times on each side.

4. Knee-to-chest exercise. This exercise stretches your gluteal muscles or butt muscles. Lie on your back and then bring one knee up pulling it gently on your chest. Hold the position for 5 seconds and repeat for 5 times on each side.

These are just some of the most basic and simple lower back pain exercises. There are many other exercises that you can do at home.

Different Back Pain Relief Options

Back twinge is the most frustrating problem for every second person in the world. This is somewhat a disease that people face anytime and anywhere. The twinge caused by an excess use of the back muscles or an injury. At times, the tendons, ligaments and even bones are affected in cases of chronic back pain. Other times kidney problems are causing pain in a back, as well as pelvic disorders in females, and prostate problem in males.

In several cases, medical condition is a big indication of a more serious one. Usually, pain in a back can stop within few hours but because of some underlying syndromes it can last longer.

There are primarily two types of backache, on the basis of etiology that includes secondary and non-specific ache. There is no severe underlying condition in case of non-specific ache, but secondary pain springs from critical conditions such as epidural abscess and metastatic. Thus, if the ache is constant, does not allow a person to sleep, and is associated with sweat, fever and fatigue, one must immediately choose effective treatments for back pain relief.

For most of the people back pain is horrific news, but particularly this pain is good news for pregnant women. It is a sign that baby is growing normally. However it is extremely complicated for pregnant women to go along the regular schedule of life with a chronic backache. One can completely cure it in a home so some important steps can be taken in order to consider pregnancy back pain relief. The most prominent step is daily exercise such as walking. Regular exercise makes the body muscles stronger and develops flexibility and also fights one of its triggering factors; that is fatness. Another relief giving formula can be the application of cold and heat to the irritating area of the back for up to 10-15 minutes. Pregnant women should not apply heat as this can bring negative effect to the body. Whether you are at work, sleeping or walking adopting a proper body posture is another important thing to consider.

Even though, regular exercises are proven to aid people cope with back aches, one must also remember if exercises are not done properly, it can worsen the ache and cause much more problems at the same time.

Different water therapies can be implemented to treat back pain quickly
A nice soak bath tub or a hot shower can be a better option to relax the body muscles.
Drinking 8 glasses of water every day can help to flush toxins in the kidneys.
Ice packs or heat pads with hot water can also cure the pain.

If you have been tried and worked out with several methods, but they are still not helpful, find a suitable solution online. There are numerous websites that offer effective DVD's, E-books, email coaching and other health related articles, natural pain relief tips, etc to patients.

Exercises For Lower Back And Hip Pain

Upon asking, any sufferer of Back or Hip Pain will no doubt tell you how incredibly painful it can be.
Back pain can be something that comes and goes with some people, but many suffer from chronic back pain which of course is course for much more concern. Some people complain of a dull ache, but others get sharp pains or even burning sensations.

The unfortunate truth is, there isn't really a concrete cure for back pain at this stage. Professionals will will tell you daily exercise is a way to relieve pain, and this is no doubt one of the best ways to go about pain relief.

It's one thing knowing to exercise, but it's another thing altogether to knowing which exercise exactly to do. Doing the incorrect exercise can in fact lead to making your back or hip even worse. I've included a couple of exercises that I've found successful and are widely used in relieving pain:

Back Pain Exercise

Supine Lying Hamstring Stretch

This particular exercise may stretch your hamstrings, but tight hamstrings contribute in a large way to lower back pain. So this exercise is highly recommended to prevent your back pain in the future. This puts no strain on your back as if done correctly, your back should remain still.

To do the Supine Lying Hamstring Stretch:

1. Lie down on your back with one knee bent and one resting on the floor horizontally.

2. Without holding it, move your straight leg up in the air so it's eventually at right angles with your torso.

3. Place your hands behind your leg and slowly slide them up as close to your ankle as you can. This will result in your hamstring stretching further.

4. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on other leg.

Hip Pain

Hip pain is harder to target with an exercise. What is recommended you do is you learn how to walk properly to reduce strain on that hip. It may sound silly but a large majority of people simply do not know how to walk! Learning this will go a long way to relieving your pain.

Too Much Stretching Can Cause Low Back Pain

Too Much Stretching Can Lead to Low Back Pain

Many times people perform stretching routines in order to overcome back pain but little do they realize that too much stretching can actually cause back pain. If you stretch too much you can develop what is known as a hypermobility syndrome. This means that a joint develops too much motion and as a result becomes unstable.

I see a good number of these cases every year and many times the patient is completely unaware that their stretching caused the problem. In fact, many patients try to stretch more in order to alleviate the pain. What they are actually doing is making the problem worse. Many times they have trouble accepting that stretching contributes to the pain because they feel that their back muscles are tight.

One joint that frequently develops instability is the sacroiliac joint. At the base of the spine is a triangular bone called the sacrum. The sacrum forms a joint with a part of the pelvic bone called the ilium. You have both and right and left sacroiliac joints. There are a number of ligaments that hold the joint together. When the ligaments become overstretched the joint becomes unstable.

An unstable sacroiliac joint can produce pain and muscle tightness. The muscles work to overcome the unstable joint by becoming tighter. They attempt to stabilize the loose joint. Many people think that these tight muscles must be stretched so they continue stretching or even worse stretch more.

I have seen these syndromes develop in people who are very flexible such as dancers and those who practice yoga. In many cases people who are flexible to begin with take up stretching which creates the instability problem.

Sacroiliac instability presents as low back pain on the right or left side usually below the belt line. Sometimes the pain can radiate to the buttock, groin or back of the thigh. There is a muscle deep in the buttock region called the piriformis muscle that also can be involved. This muscle works to stabilize a loose sacroiliac joint and becomes tight and painful. In some cases the piriformis muscle can affect the sciatic nerve which runs down the back of the leg. It is important to remember that the tight muscles are the body's way to stabilize the joint.

One test for sacroiliac instability is to lie on your back and lift the right and left legs one at a time. A positive test is when the pain is worse with lifting either leg or one leg feels weaker than the other when lifted.

Treatment for sacroiliac instability is to first avoid stretching the ligaments and creating further damage. Physical therapy modalities such as ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation and ice can also help. A licensed health care provider such as a chiropractor or physical therapist can also prescribe stabilization exercises similar to those found in pilates routines. In some cases a sacroiliac support belt also called a trochanteric support can also help to support the joint. This belt is worn around the widest part of the hips. In many cases the belt provides some immediate relief from pain.

If you have any of the following you could have sacroiliac instability:

1. Traumatic injury to the low back.

2. Low back pain treatment that is not working.

3. Low back pain after taking up stretching or yoga.

It is best to get a diagnosis from a licensed health care provider who can also provide the appropriate treatment to help you heal. Generally, in most cases stretching is a good thing for the low back but for some very flexible people it could cause damage to the sacroiliac joint. As with any back injury, early intervention by a qualified practitioner will prevent a minor problem from becoming an aggravating, chronic problem.