Sciatic Nerve Pain - Specific Chiropractic Treatment Alternatives That Eliminate Lower Back Pain

As a chiropractor here in Plano, Texas, I often have patients who come in for treatment because of lower back pain, and some find that it's the sciatic nerve that's giving them the pain. Sciatica is commonly seen as a pain of the lower back which runs down from the back into the leg. This pain can be sharp, tingling and cause numbness of the lower back and leg. As part of my chiropractic care, I prescribe non-surgical methods to bring relief to my patients.

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest single nerve in your body. It branches off at the base of the spine and runs down each side of your pelvic area, supplying nerve impulses to your butt, legs and feet. If you've ever experienced sciatica, you know how debilitating this pain can be. I've seen patients, who could barely walk, couldn't bend over, or even stand. There are a lot of things that can trigger problems with your sciatic nerve, poor posture when you sit, slip and fall on your butt, improper swing while playing golf, and the list goes on. For most of my patients, I recommend, certain exercise, lots of rest, and certain pain medication, while they recuperate. Usually you will be back to your normal self within 2-3 weeks. However, if your pain is still severe and continues beyond 2 months, it might be necessary to consider surgery as a last resolve. In this article I will focus on alternative methods to treat this condition and leave the surgery to those more qualified.

Chiropractic Treatments and Alternatives at Home

I immediately recommend heat packs and ice packs. Both can be used independently or combined at various intervals. If you do not have access to over the counter packs, please use ice in a Ziploc bag and heated towels or a heating pad. Both should be applied for 20 to 30 minutes and then repeated every 2-3 hours. This should bring relief until the patient can get in to my office.

Along with heat and ice, I suggest that you use Tylenol, Advil, ibuprofen, or naproxen to help reduce the pain. Another consideration if the pain is very acute is the use epidural steroid injections. These injections are different from the oral steroid medicines because the steroid is given directly to the injured area and should bring immediate relief from the pain, much quicker than meds or oral steroids. This must be administered by a qualified medical specialist, I do not provide this service but can recommend other medical professionals who do.

Alternative Chiropractic Treatment at my Office

Chiropractors sometimes suggest the need for exercise. This might sound counter productive, but very mild exercise along with the other treatments listed above, can help strengthen muscles of the lower back and your stomach muscles. To qualify the type of exercise I recommend, I prescribe simple stretching starting slowly and gradually increasing as you recover and also to prevent future recurrences of sciatica or other back pain.The equipment I've installed at my office is very effective in helping with the pain and if utilized correctly, will contribute to end of sciatic pain.

Other techniques for pain relief are spinal decompression, cold laser therapy, heat and cold applied with gentle massage therapy. I have patients who I see in my office that usually need a combination of the above techniques to resolve their sciatic pain. We use various forms of massage and cold laser to relax patient's muscles, improve blood flow, and most important, the release of endorphins in the body that act as natural pain relievers.

Last but not least, a highly effective technique for treatment that is being used more and more is acupuncture. Most people think of being a human pin cushion and even though the origins of this technique were developed by the Chinese, it is an approved procedure for back pain by the FDA. A qualified and trained acupuncturist can provide relief from back pain by simply using thin needles inserted in the area where you feel discomfort. Acupuncture focuses on the applied principle of harmonizing your body's flow of energy through various pathways in the body. There is no guarantee that this or any other combination of treatments will totally eliminate sciatica from recurring but if you follow the advice of your chiropractor and seek help early, you should prevent this from happening again in the future.

Pregnancy Back Pain at Night

Many women suffer with pregnancy back pain at night. This type of night back pain in pregnancy is called nocturnal back pain. You may have it on its own, or concurrently with low back or sacroiliac pain. There are a couple of different theories as to why night back pain develops during pregnancy. One theory is that it is caused by muscle fatigue from being active all day. By the end of the day, your body becomes more fatigued, and thus you feel more discomfort toward the evening hours. The second theory is that nocturnal back pain is due to water retention. This can lead to edema and an increased volume of blood. This additional water in the body can place pressure on the spinal nerves and muscles, resulting in backaches.

Some women have very severe back pain while sleeping during their pregnancy. The most important thing you can do is to avoid sleeping on your back during pregnancy. Lying on your back, or in the supine position, compresses major arteries and veins, namely the inferior vena cava and the aorta. This decreases circulation and allows fluid pressure to build up in the pelvis, which places pressure on the spinal nerves. As your fetus grows, it also puts more and more pressure on your arteries and veins. The farther along you are in your pregnancy, the more important it is to avoid sleeping on your back. The healthiest sleeping position for you and your baby is on your sides. Resting on your left side will place the least amount of pressure on your spine. In addition to side sleeping, supporting the uterus can help alleviate night back pain.

To properly support your uterus, lay on your side with pillows under your abdomen and between your legs. This will help to support your uterus and keep your spine in a neutral position. There are several wonderful pregnancy pillows that can help to make sleeping much more comfortable. It is also important to make special efforts during the day to adjust your posture in ways that will help prevent muscle fatigue. Be sure to take frequent breaks from standing or sitting. If you must sit or stand for long periods of time, elevate one foot on a low stool or foot rest. Also, wear good, supportive shoes, and avoid wearing high heeled shoes, which place extra strain on the back. It is also possible to manage pregnancy back pain at night by maintaining a regular exercise program. Regular exercise will help strengthen and support the spine, therefore helping to minimize strain and muscle fatigue.

Exercise and postural adjustments will help to minimize night time back pain, but may not completely prevent it. Many women find pain relief in alternative approaches such as acupuncture and massage therapy, though this relief may be only temporary. There are a variety of gentle hands on techniques that can be performed at home, which are also beneficial for relieving pregnancy related back pain. Unfortunately, anti-inflammatory medications such as motrin, advil, and aspirin are contraindicated during pregnancy. The only pain reliever considered safe during pregnancy is acetaminophen. Soaking in a hot tub or whirlpool is not recommended during pregnancy. You may however find a warm, not hot, bath can soothe your sore back. Try adding Epsom salt to a warm bath to help relieve pain.

Lower Back Pain Treatment - Benefits and Risks of a Laminectomy

According to most experts, only about five percentage of those with back pain require surgery and only after other conservative methods have been tried. That is the good news however if you are one of the five percentage facing surgery, the prospects of going under the knife can be scary. So the question is what are the common types of back surgery and how successful are they?

One of the most common types is a laminectomy. A laminectomy broadens the spinal canal by removing one or both sides of the lamina. The lamina is part of the vertebral bone removing a piece of the lamina decreases pressure on the spinal cord caused by spinal stenosis. The surgery involves an incision or two incisions in the small of the back. The surgeon opens the back spreads the underlying muscle and removes the portion of the lamina and the herniated disc that is pressing against the nerve. The doctor usually will also create a space around the nerve to ensure that the vertebra or disc does not come in contact with the nerve.

The average success rate for this surgery is 80%. Of Those eighty percent 10-20% return for another back surgery. Failed back surgery even has a name "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome". Most back surgeries can take up to one to one and a half years to fully recover. In my own case it's been nine months and although I am back at work and can do most everything except heavy lifting I still have some pain and discomfort.

Surgery may be the answer for some back problems. But it is important to know all the facts, risks and success rates. Having an open and frank discussion with your doctor is vital. Also be sure to explore other more conservative, non-invasive treatments first. But how do you prevent and or cure lower back pain? How do you lose the pain and get on with your life? Well the answer is to find a system that strengthens the back and abdominal muscles correcting muscle imbalance.

One of the top rated programs is This program developed by The Healthy Back Institute has helped thousands to lose their back pain for good. The Lose The Back Pain System custom designs a program of specific movements and exercises tailored to your exact needs.

What Is the Best Office Chair for Lower Back Pain?

If you suffer from lower back pain then you already understand the importance of finding a good, ergonomic chair. When your job or lifestyle involves sitting for extended periods of time, and this is becoming an increasing majority of us, it can exacerbate and even cause lower back pain. In fact, studies show that extended sitting causes a range of health problems including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Luckily, sitting in an ergonomically correct chair can help.

What is an ergonomic chair?

An ergonomic chair is one that has been designed with your body's natural alignment in mind. It is also important to find the correct size chair for your body size. A good ergonomic office chair will provide for dynamic sitting, that is movement, which is very important to counteracting the negative effects of prolonged stationary sitting. Our bodies were not designed to remain in one position for extended periods and it is very important to increase the amount of time spent moving. In fact, you should get up out of your seat and move around as often as possible, at a minimum every half hour or so.

An ergonomic chair should also allow for an open angle between the pelvis and legs when sitting. This angle relieves spinal compression and pressure on the upper legs and also increases blood flow to the legs.

So what is the best office chair for lower back pain?

You may be surprised to learn that studies show, and users confirm, that a saddle, or sit-stand, chair is the best type of chair for countering lower back pain. These chairs, or stools, allow for the most movement and force your legs to slope downward into the open sitting angle that is so important to a healthy spine. While a saddle seat can take time to get used to, the majority of people say that they would never go back to sitting in a more tradition office chair. In fact, many people report that there lower back pain has completely disappeared after switching to a saddle stool.

So, if you are suffering from lower back pain and need to find a chair to help relieve it, consider purchasing a saddle chair. You can find inexpensive models starting at just a couple of hundred dollars or high-end, designer models, in custom materials and both backless and backrest styles (for instance the Hag Capsisco). Regardless of your budget, your back will feel a lot better.

Essential Oils Can Relieve the Pain of Lumbar Strain

A lumbar strain is a stretching injury to the ligaments, tendons, and/or muscles of the low back-it can be very painful and put you flat on your back. The stretching can actually result in microscopic tears of varying degrees in these tissues. Lumbar strain is considered one of the most common causes of low back pain. It can occur due to overuse, improper use, or trauma. A soft-tissue injury such as a lumbar strain is commonly classified as "acute" if it has been present for days to weeks. If the strain lasts longer than three months, it is referred to as "chronic." Lumbar strain most often occurs in people in their forties, but it can happen at any age. The severity of the injury ranges from mild to severe, depending on the degree of strain and resulting spasm of the muscles of the low back.

Western medicine treats lumbar strains with muscle relaxers, application of heat, massage and eventually reconditioning exercises to strengthen the low back and abdominal muscles. Spinal manipulation may help some. Nature in the form of essential oils can offer pain relief for many.

How Can Essential Oils Help?

A muscle responds to pain with a reflex contraction causing blood flow to the area to be impeded. When there is less oxygen and glucose and a decrease in circulation, removal of toxins and waste products will be slowed. The result is inflammation, muscle soreness and pain. There are many essential oils known to be detoxifying, relaxing, pain relieving, and can decrease swelling in muscle tissue.

Here are some examples of essential oils that may help heal lumbar strains and get you back on your feet:

Palo santo--Has high levels of limonene -up to 65% making this an excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic oil.  Using a combination of Palo Santo & Frankincense for pain & for bone rejuvenation (including Idaho Balsam Fir) will shorten recuperation time.

Lavender-is vasodilating, a relaxant and is anti-inflammatory.

German Chamomile-is anti-inflammatory and a relaxant.

Idaho balsam Fir-is like 98% monoterpenes including limonene and alpha and beta pinenes. It is highly anti-inflammatory.

Basil-is a powerful antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant.

Cypress-is high in monoterpenes making it a great antispasmodic. It also improves circulation and strengthens blood capillaries.

Marjoram-is soothing to muscles and helps relieve body and joint discomfort. It is used for arthritis and rheumatism, muscle/nerve pain, and headaches.

Peppermint-is anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving.

Wintergreen-is anti-spasmodic, highly anti-inflammatory, a vasodilator, analgesic/anesthetic. It has been used in countless liniments and ointments for musculoskeletal problems.

Helichrysum-has anesthetic and antispasmodic properties. It has shown effectiveness in regenerating nerves.

An excellent massage oil for lumbar strains is Ortho Ease or Ortho Sport both of which contain fractionated coconut oil, wheatgerm, grape seed, almond and olive oils plus the essential oils of wintergreen, juniper, marjoram, red thyme, vetiver, peppermint Eucalyptus ericifolia (Rosalina) and lemongrass. Ortho Sport is the stronger of the two massage oils.

Three Causes of Burning Pain in the Lower Back

If you experience any burning pain in the lower back and you are looking for an effective treatment, then you need to be able to properly identify the different causes of your pain so that you can best treat it. Often, we might think that we are simply suffering from muscle strain, or the sciatica is acting up, but you may find that there are underlying causes for your lower back pain that can help to ease the symptoms and cure your condition better than if you were to simply treat the pain.

Cause #1: Strained and Tired Back Muscles

You can suffer from real burning pain in lower back pain, when the muscles have been strained, pulled or are tired. Often, you may find that your back becomes tired just from standing. This could be due to poor posture, which is causing one side of your back muscles to work harder than the other side. The best remedy for this type of lower back pain is to gently stretch the lower back and work on exercises which can help to strengthen the back muscles and core and keep both sides of the back balanced in strength.

Cause #2: Sciatica
Often, if you feel burning pain in lower back, it is due to sciatica, a condition where your sciatic nerve becomes inflamed or compressed. Usually, this will happen because of certain movements that cause a misalignment of the back that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, which causes a burning sensation to run down the leg and can sometimes even carry into the side of the foot. Often, sciatica is an indication of another condition, but sometimes, people notice they will suffer from a bout of sciatica when they do certain exercises or certain activities that throw their bodies out of alignment.

Cause #3: Disc Problems

If you don't know much about your back and spine, then you might not know much about the discs in your back. Discs rest between the vertebra and help to cushion it from shock that occurs in our every day movements. Sometimes, when we move the wrong way or continuously engage in activities that are hard on the muscles in the back, we might find that we slip a disc or cause it to become herniated. When a disc becomes herniated, it will become inflamed and can often press on the sciatic nerve, which will often cause a burning pain in the lower back. Even if you don't have sciatica associated with a disc problem, you will likely find that you suffer from terrible pain due to this type of injury.

While these are only three causes of experiencing burning pain in lower back, you might find that these explanations can help you to better treat your back pain and choose how to handle the pain associated with any type of lower back injury. Always remember that if your pain is too severe or if you are struggling to move, before making any type of decision on treating yourself, you should seek medical attention to ease your pain.

Lower back pain can be frustrating and hard to deal with, but when you learn the causes of this injury, you will find that you can likely get back on your feet and moving around in no time.

Back Pain Exercises and Stretches

As a sufferer of chronic lower back pain and 2 rounds of surgery to repair herniated disks, I have found the best way to get relief is to walk 20 - 30 minutes a day and to do the following exercises every morning immediately after getting out of bed. Doing these exercises first thing in the morning is the best time as this is when your back is at its tightest and most painful as inflammation has built up during sleep. These exercises strengthen and stretch muscles that are tight or spasming trying to protect the damaged area in your lower back. The other benefits of these back exercises are that they will strengthen both back and stomach muscles. If you find any of these exercises painful don't do it.

First starting position

Lying on back

Pelvic Tilts

Raise knees and place hands behind head. Tighten buttocks and press lower back into the floor, don't let buttocks raise off floor. This exercise is often helpful to reduce lower back pain. Do this exercise 2 sets of 10

Straight leg raise

Lying flat with hands by your side and bent raised knees. Straighten one leg while keeping the other bent. Raise the straight leg as far as is comfortable. The height of this leg raise may be reduced in people suffering from sciatica. This point of this exercise is to stretch hamstrings and to gently stretch nerves. Do this exercise 2 sets of ten per side.

Single knee to chest

Lying flat with knees raised. Draw one knee towards your chest as far as comfort allows. This gently stretches lower back muscles which become tight when you are in pain. Hold this position for 12 - 15 seconds 3 times per leg.

Abdominal Crunches

Laying flat raise knees and place arms across chest with hands on opposite shoulders. Tuck your chin in and lift head and shoulders about 75 to 100mm from floor. This exercises is designed to strengthen stomach muscles. If you suffer from neck pain or doing this exercise causes neck pain you should avoid it.

Hand to Knee

Lying on your back raise both knees. Then bring one knee toward your chest and push your knee away firmly with the opposite Hand. Maintain pressure between knee and hand for 3 seconds. Repeat this exercise 2 sets of 10 per side

Double knee to chest

Bring both knees up to your chest but make sure that use raise 1 at a time. Hold this position for 12 seconds. This is a lower back muscle stretch that may relieve lower back pain. Repeat this exercise 3 times and hold for 12 seconds.

Lumber rotation

Lying on your back with knees raised and arms flat on floor beside you, slowly lower both knees to one side. Raise knees back to the upright position and then lower to the other side. This exercise is great for the relief of lower back pain but should only be performed through your own pain free range.

Lying on Side

Side leg raises

Bend bottom leg and raise upper leg by about 30cm. Keep hip rolling forward and foot facing forward. This exercise strengthen side, hip and trunk muscles. Repeat this exercise 10 x per side

Under leg raises

Prop yourself up on one elbow. Bend top leg and place over the top of the other leg. Raise lower leg off the floor about 15 cm. This exercise strengthens the inner thigh muscles. Repeat this exercise 10 x per side.

Lying on Stomach

To perform these exercises you will need a pillow or a rolled up mat or shirt placed under your stomach and lower chest. If you find these exercises uncomfortable even with extra pillows move on.

Back extension

Raise up on your toes and straighten your knees, lift arms, chest and head a few centimetres to ensure your body is level. Make sure you do not arch your back or neck. This exercise will tone your low back muscles. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Opposite arm/leg raises

Place your arms in front of you. Lift your opposite arm and leg a few centimetres. If this exercise is too difficult simply lift opposite legs only. This exercise will tone back muscle.

Front arm raises

Place your arms in front. Leaving your head on the floor raise both arms. This is also for back muscle tone.

Side arm raises

Place arms to the side. While keeping head on the floor and chin tucked in lift both arms. This exercise will again help back muscle tone.

On Hands and Knees

Cat Stretch

Arch your back and then flatten making sure not to let your back sag. Repeat this stretch 10 times it may provide pain relief for some back aches.

Tail wags

To stretch your side muscles do this stretch slowly. Like a dog wagging its tail stretch your bottom from side to side. Repeat 20 times - 10 times each side.

Donkey kicks

Leaning on your elbows, kick one leg out behind you. Do not raise your leg higher than your hips. This exercise is to tone your back and buttock muscles. Repeat 10 times each side.

Opposite arm/leg raises

Opposite arm and leg need to be extended to a straight position. You must not let your back sag and your arm and leg need to be kept below body height. This exercise will aid balance and back tone.

Frog stretch

Keep your hands out in front and rock back onto your heels making sure your back is straight. Repeat 3 times holding pose for up to 20 seconds.