Back Pain & Sciatica
Back Pain
The human spine contains 30 vertebrae that support the torso and neck. Back pain can be caused by an injury to the muscles (strain) or ligaments (sprain) along the spine.
Injuries to the back can be caused by improper posture, a lack of exercise or improper lifting of heavy objects (lift with your knees!).
However, back pain can also be the result of an underlying condition like arthritis, infection or age-related degeneration of the disks between the vertebrae.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve, one of the longest nerves in the human body, runs along the lower back, hips and down each leg.
When one is struck with sciatic nerve pain, they usually experience pain which can range from moderate to very severe on one side of the body. This pain is typically caused by a herniated disk between one of the vertebrae in the spine or a spinal bone spur that compresses the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica is a painful condition that can also cause inflammation of the tissues surrounding the nerve and numbness. The pain typically gets worse due to prolonged sitting.
Risk factors for sciatica include obesity, poor posture, advancing age, diabetes or an occupation that encourages prolonged bouts of sitting such as office work. To prevent sciatica it is recommended to exercise regularly and work on maintaining good posture throughout one’s daily activities.
Wellbeing at Home
Have You Tried?
Beneficial tips that are believed to aid in alleviating pain related to back pain and sciatica include:
- Alternating hot and cold packs
- Stretching regularly
- Spraying Redfeather Pain Spray on and around the painful area to receive the pain relieving benefits of its natural menthol. Generously spraying the entire affected area will relax the tension in the muscles and ligaments.
- When seated at a desk for a prolonged period of time, be sure to stand up every 45 minutes to stretch and walk around
- Acupuncture
- Consulting a chiropractor