Most acute i.e. intense back pain and siatica (which is correctly spelt
as sciatica) is the result of:
(a) a trauma i.e. an injury to your lower
back, or
(b) a longer-term disorder such as
arthritis.
However, the injury and pain from your
"routine" sciatica (although it rarely feels routine when
you're experiencing it!) may
be caused by a variety of day-to-day activities such as:
- a sports injury,
- work around the house, or in the garden,
- a sudden jolt, such as a car accident or
fall,
- the cumulative effects of poor posture and
lack of correct exercise or - other stresses on your spinal bones and
surrounding tissues, especially repetitive, stressful
movements.
Siatica
Symptoms
These may range from:
- muscle ache to shooting or stabbing back
pain,
- limited flexibility and range of motion,
and/or
- an inability to stand straight.
Chronic back pain is usually defined as
pain that persists for more than 3 months. It is often
progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.
What Is The Recommended Treatment?
Most siatica and low back pain can be treated without
surgery. The goal of treatment is to reduce and stop the
pain, restore proper function and strength to your back to
prevent recurrence of the injury.
Medications are often used to treat acute
and chronic low back pain. Effective pain relief may involve
a combination of prescription drugs and over-the-counter
remedies.
Really, though you should be aiming to find a
solution that doesn't require you to keep taking drugs,
because these generally create unwanted side effects and
hinder your ability to understand the messages your body is
sending you.
You may also want to consider visiting a
specialist such as a chiropractor, an osteopath, or a
physiotherapist. See the menu option on the left for
information on chiropractors.
Some people find the the use of cold and hot
compresses helps to reduce their pain and inflammation and
allows greater mobility.
Generally, ice applied to an injury site
immediately after its occurrence stimulates blood flow to
the area and helps to reduce pain and inflammation.
We recommend the Better
Back System as a way to stop your back pain and help
you to loosen and strengthen your surrounding joints and
supporting muscles.
Alternatively, try the free Back Exercise
Course & newsletter using the form on the right or
look around the rest of the sciatica
information and back exercises.
Should I Rest or
Exercise?
These days bed rest is usually recommended by doctors for only 1–2
days at most.
Your goal is to resume activities as soon
as possible.
You can help prevent repeat back injuries by
engaging in regular exercise that doesn't jolt or
strain your back and helps you maintain the correct posture.
Always take care to lift objects
properly: bend your knees, keep the object close to you
and your back straight.
In the most serious cases, when a condition
does not respond to other therapies, surgery may relieve
pain caused by back problems or serious musculoskeletal
injuries.
However, in my opinion, this is really a last resort to be
avoided if possible because the results are unpredictable
i.e. not always good.
Siatica Prevention
Regular, preventative exercise may be the most effective way
to speed recovery and reduce or stop sciatica and back pain.
In particular, exercises that help you
strengthen your "core stability" muscles and your abdominal muscles that both help to support and protect your
back will pay dividends.
This why we recommend the Better
Back System because it helps you loosen and
strengthen the joints and supporting muscles that help your
back stay injury free.
What Can I Expect In
The Future?
Most patients with siatica and back pain recover without
residual functional loss, IF they eliminate the cause of the
problem.
Recurring back pain often results from
improper body mechanics (posture, lifting etc), or other
non-traumatic causes. Said another way, you can usually
prevent this type of siatica if you stop doing whatever it
is that aggravates your back.
Many work-related injuries are caused or
aggravated by stressors such as heavy lifting, vibration,
repetitive motion, and awkward posture.
Applying ergonomic principles — designing
furniture and tools to protect the body from injury — at
home and in the workplace can greatly reduce the risk of
back injury and help maintain a healthy back.
Warning:
Note: If there is not a noticeable reduction in your
pain and inflammation after 72 hours of self-care contact
your doctor.
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