“One of the most important things you can do if you suffer from back pain or sciatica is to stay active and maintain proper spinal hygiene.” - Dr. Nick, PT/DPT

How to Alleviate Back Pain and Sciatica

If you suffer from back pain or sciatica, you're not alone. In fact, back pain is one of the most common reasons why people visit the doctor. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 80 percent of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives.

There are many different causes of back pain, but one of the most common is a herniated disc.

A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like center of a disc in your spine breaks through its outer casing and puts pressure on the nerve roots. This can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in your legs and lower back. Sciatica is a form of radiculopathy, which is a general term for when a nerve is pinched or irritated.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body, about as thick as your pinky!  Sciatica occurs when this nerve is compressed or irritated by the bulging disc in the lower spine.

There are many different treatment options for back pain and sciatica. Some people find relief with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Others find relief with topical treatments such as creams or ointments. Physical therapy and functional movement training are other effective, holistic treatments for back pain and sciatica. These methods should always be tried first before options such as an MRI, injection, or surgical intervention.

Many individuals who suffer from back pain may even benefit from multiple rounds of conservative care, to find the right practitioner for their personality and the right approach for their injury.

One of the most important things you can do if you suffer from back pain or sciatica is to stay active and maintain proper spinal hygiene. Exercise and physical activity help to strengthen the muscles in your core and can also help to prevent future episodes of back pain. The core muscles that make up the ‘Triangles of Stability’ are key muscle groups which surround the lumbar spine. Using these muscle groups together in function will then allow you to keep the spine at neutral as you perform daily activities such as sitting, standing, walking, and changing positions.

If you're overweight, losing even a few pounds can help to alleviate some of the strain on your back. Every pound lost is an average of 3 pounds of pressure off the hips and 5 pounds of pressure off the knees, every step of every day!

Furthermore, by concentrating on an anti-inflammatory diet, minimizing the irritation to the lower back with proper spinal hygiene, and identifying your direction of preference, the direction that sends the pain back up towards the spine, you can greatly improve your rate of recovery and minimize the occurrence of flare-ups.

Conclusion:

If you suffer from back pain or sciatica, there are many different treatment options available to you. Over-the-counter medications, topical treatments, exercise, and physical therapy, functional movement therapy, and spinal hygiene can all be helpful in alleviating symptoms.

Approximately 75% of back pain sufferers will heal from back pain and sciatica episodes within 6-8 weeks, however, for those who do not, it is all the more important to find a practitioner that specializes in these types of injuries. Functional Movement Therapy’s mission is to eradicate back pain by showing our clients how to move using their body properly which allows them to heal from even severe injury.

If holistic healing is something that you are hopeful for and you are ready to never have another shot, surgery, or medication suggested, schedule your free consultation today. We would love to be a part of your success story.

Written by Nicholaus Salinas, PT, DPT

© Functional Movement Therapy, PLLC

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