On the other hand, in many conditions, low back pain recedes and fades away soon after a couple of days yet this may also trouble you for 2 or 3 weeks during a period, particularly if the problem is not dealt with. When this ailment gets intense, there’s every possibility you experience pain for several months or even for decades.

If the aching turns out to be critical, then you might become incapacitated for several days where time you will want to follow therapy. All of this period, the condition might make this painful for you to pass urine normally and your back in addition to genital areas could also become numb. The fitness of your hip and legs will become weak also, you might even go through firing soreness in that part of your entire body that may lead to experiencing unsteadiness whilst standing. In such cases, you need to get yourself seen and cared for by a physician straight away.

Back Pain can also spread to other regions of the body and this painful can differ within intensity and produce stiffness, tenderness along with burning sensations. The actual aches are going to be exacerbated once you bend or sit down as well as attempt to walk but it will surely likewise worsen after standing upright for an long time period.

Pinched nerves may cause tingling as well as prickling and it also is the reason for cold/warm feelings. It even contributes to a aching which burns or even stabs you as well as that may start in the back area and then radiate to the shin location and even expand towards the bicep / tricep.

Compression in the nerves is usually a major reason why people young and old are afflicted by discomfort in the back. Such circumstances, the muscle tissue become numb as well as weakly. Now and again, specially when the compression just isn’t addressed, the actual muscle groups may even atrophy.

Its best to be aware what the main source of upper back pain is. Under and also excessive use of the back is a primary (and extremely typical) factor for this challenge. A herniated disc is another cause. Spinal stenosis is also considered being one associated with the causes associated with this kind of affliction as too is the pinched nerve, sciatica and spinal tumor.

Back physical distress may be taken care of and in many circumstances this particular cure will be very conservative. A person may well would like to make use of the house remedy to obtain relief, as well as you might possibly choose to utilize supplements in order to deal with the affliction. Many times, consumers still purchase to be being injected with anabolic steroids of which will be a great means of treating soreness as well as tender in which is produced on through factors these as spinal stenosis and disc herniation.

Get complete details and information about the benefits of seeing a Seattle Chiropractor today! When you want to receive natural relief from pain, you will find it at a Seattle Chiropractic center easy and fast!

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The next are some causes for backache.

1) Backache due to diseases in the back.

2) Backache due to gynaecological problems.

3) Backache due to problems in other parts of the dead body.

1) Backache due to diseases in the back:–

a) Injuries :-

1) Firmness rupture of the vertebral piece.
2) Rip apart of intervertebral discs.
3) Injuries to ligaments and muscle of back.
4) Lumbosacral strain.
5) Intervertebral common injuries. 
6) Splinter of processes of vertebra.

b) Functional backache due to imbalance:-

1) During pregnancy.
2) Pot belly.
3) Diseases of the hip joint.
4) Curvature in the spine due to congenital defect.
5) Short leg in one side.

c) Backache due to inflammatory conditions:-

1) Bug of the bone due to bacteria.
2) Tuberculosis of the spine.
3) Arthritis.
4) Brucellosis.
5) Lumbago or fibrositis.
6) Inflamation of the muscles.
7) Anchylosing spondylitis.

d) Backache due to degenerative diseases in the back.

1) Osteoarthritis.
2) Osteoporosis in old population.
3) Degenaration of the intervertebral disc.

e) Tumour in the spine:–

1) Primory tumour of the bones in the spine.
2) Metastatic tumours from other sites like prostate,lungs,kidneys,intestine ect.

2) Bad back due to gynaecological problems:-

a) After childbirth.
b) After gynaecological operations.
c) Prolapse of the uterus.
d) Pelvic seditious diseases.
e) Cancerous lesions of the pelvic organs.
f) Endometriosis.

3) Backache due to problems in other parts of the stiff.

a) Renal gravel.
b) Ureteric granite.
c) Disease of prostate.
d) Pancreatitis.
e) Biliary stones.
f) Peptic ulcer.
g) Inflammations of pelvic organs.
h) Occlusion of artery and illiac arteries.

Investigation of a case of backache:-

1) Total blood sum.

2) Custom urine oral exam.

3) Ultrasonography of the belly and pelvis.

4) X-ray of the lumbar and sacral region.

5) MRI of the spine.

5) CT scan of abdomen and pelvic region.

6) Question paper of rectum,prostate,genito urinary organs.

Treatment of back ache:-

1) Removing the cause for backache.

2) Symptomatic treatement.

2) Back cardiovascular exercise.

3) Grip.

3) Yoga.

5) Surgery.

7) Homoeopathy.

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Low back pain is one of the oldest occupational health problems in history and one of the most common causes of work-related complaints among adults. Approximately 15 million people visit doctors each year because of lower back pain.  It is estimated that a total of $25 billion is spent every year to treat this form of body ache.   For this reason, the back pain relief and muscle relaxant industries are growing by leaps and bounds.

Low back pain is a skeletal and muscular ailment that affects millions of people around the world.  People with blue-collar jobs or those who are required to do heavy manual work are more prone to lumbar aches. It’s not surprising that construction workers have a lot of back pain problems. If left untreated, back pain can affect productivity and increase absenteeism. Worse, it could even be the cause of more serious health problems.

To determine the severity of lower back pain, you may use the following parameters to see how “bad” your back is:

• Acute Low back pain last less than 6 weeks
• Sub-Acute Low back pain between 6 and 12 weeks
• Chronic Low back pain persists for more than 12 weeks

The good news is that there are a variety of treatments for back pain. One of the easiest ways to treat the pain is with muscle relaxants.  Back pain relief is as easy as popping a pill. You should see your doctor for advice since some medications for back pain can only be prescribed by a physician.

These are other helpful tips, procedures and strategies on back pain relief that you may want to consider:

• Apply a cold pack to the painful area for 5-10 minutes at time
• Use an heating pad on the painful area if the pain is still there within         a few days
• Protect your back. Try not to turn suddenly or bend awkwardly. Go on with your usual activities and try to avoid bed rest
• Get expert professional treatments
• Non-prescription Pain Medications
• Spinal Manipulation
• Get a massage
• Try acupuncture
• Traction treatments
• Biofeedback
• Back Belts and Corsets
• Injections into the back

Certainly, back pain relief goes beyond medication. Low back pain could be caused by stress or other non-physical problems. Everyday stress can make your muscles tighten and contribute to lumbar pain due to muscle tension. Self-hypnosis, meditation and guided imagery are also being promoted as tools or techniques to reduce the discomforts associated with lumbar ailments.  Back pain relief options can be expensive, depending on the specific technique prescribed by the therapist.

Regardless of how severe the back pain is, you should always consult a physician.  The back pain may be a symptom of other illnesses or health problems.

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Prevent Back Pain

Low back pain affects hundreds of thousands of people each year and nearly 80% of the population suffers from it at some point in their lifetime.While we may not be able to totally prevent back pain from occurring, there are things we can do to prevent some of the back pain and then aid recovery after it has occerred.

One of the reasons that many people experience the pain and discomfort of a low back injury is because of the change in lifestyle that has happened in the past decades.It’s well known that the standard Western diet has changed in the last fifty years, resulting in a higher incidence of obesity. That, coupled with decreased amount of exercise and employment that keeps workers chained to a desk has led to an increasing number of people who suffer from lower back pain.

Preventing low back pain means taking positive action to improve your overall health as well as your back health. It may seem obvious but the first thing to do to prevent injury or pain is to protect the back in your activities. This means learning the correct ways of lifting, sitting and standing.Slouching while sitting or standing puts stress on the lower back and increases the chance of injury.

Another side benefit of learning to sit and stand correctly is the reduced risk of having upper back pain.Poor posture is one of the main causes of upper back pain. Slouching forward places more strain on your back.Sitting straighter and walking in a more upright position will help relieve that pain. This protects the back from top to bottom.

You need to be careful when lifting heavy weights as there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. Each of those activities can lead to an injury.You might think your injury came from bending down, but the actual cause might be from years of bad posture and sleeping positions over the years

Exercise is also an important aspect to prevention of low back pain.An exercise regimen will strengthen important muscles in your back and abdomen and impove flexibility. All of these benefits will help to decrease the risk of developing low back pain. Strong and flexible muscles will protect the spinal column, decrease the risk of a herniated disc and improve your overall appearance.

Try to change your sleeping positions. If you think about it you are in some of the same positions every night for between 5 and 8 hours. That s more time than you spend doing almost anything else. Try not to sleep on your stomach which will increase the stress on your lower back. Instead sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees or on your back with a pillow under your knees. Some individuals also find that sleeping with a small towel rolled up under their lower back is comfortable.

Women should consistently wear low heeled shoes. While the occasional evening out in spike heels won t cause consistent damage, women who wear high heels often find that it puts stress on the lower back and hips.

As was alluded in the first part, obesity also plays a role in the development of low back pain. As people gain weight this places more and more strain on the back muscles to keep the body in alignment. People who suffer from chronic back pain may find that just by losing 20 or 30 pounds they are able to reduce their pain and manage it without medications.

Other risk factors are part of the aging process–osteoporosis and arthritis. This is especially important in women but can also be a factor in men. Smoking is one preventable factor that increases the risk of osteoporosis and increases sensitivity to pain. Smoking will also decrease blood flow and the supply of oxygen to the spinal discs, a major factor in low back pain.

While most people will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives there are specific treatment protocols and methods of prevention that can help to speed the recovery process and reduce the risk of the problem happening again.

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Low Back Pain

Low back pain is second in prevalence only to the common cold. It affects more than 80% of people. However, unlike the common cold, back pain is often perplexing to most of its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving that mystery.

Anatomy

To understand back pain, it is useful to understand the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are made of posterior joints called facets that join vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the action of the spine. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of the vertebrae and are composed of a form of tough cartilage that encases a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The principal function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also join the vertebrae. The wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is located between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae.

Causes of Back Pain

Most often, back pain occurs without a trauma, an accident, or a major injury prior to the onset. The cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related factors cause most back pain. All of these factors create stresses and imbalances on the spine and eventually cause pain. This is why people can often injure their back merely by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The instability of the spine makes it vulnerable to even the most simple movements, such as bending. When this comes about, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.

Disc Problems & Sciatica

Increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine can occur during and after prolonged sitting, especially in a awkward position. Eventually the lower spine loses its normal function and no longer can make room for the normal day-to-day stresses in ones life. In the end, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, allowing the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it produces the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, one can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and occasionally weakness in the lower extremities. Sadly, if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition isn’t managed properly, surgery may benecessary to remove the herniated disc material. With chiropractic adjustments and care, which often includes postural exercises, most disc complications, including sciatica, can be mended. If you are experiencing any of the conditions defined above, it is crucial for you to seek chiropractic assistance.

Spondylosis

Repetitive injury to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may cause increased wear and tear and weight-bearing stress on the spine. This stress can unfavorably affect the cartilage around the joints and engender calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can constrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This compression causes a form of arthritis, called Spondylosis, that can also occur as part of the aging process of the spine. But, factors such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic adjustments and overall chiropractic management is extraordinarily helpful in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as helping Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has helped many Spondylosis sufferers.

Sacroiliac Problems

The sacroiliac joints are a general area of dysfunction or injury in the low back. These weight-bearing joints link the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are innately very strong and stable. Damage from falls, sports injuries, or the lifting of heavy objects can cause the joints to become unstable and change to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Women may get this condition during or after their pregnancy. Sacroiliac subluxation creates imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. People with this condition will feel pain especially with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and exhaustion. Other symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, can advance further up the spine. Chiropractic adjustments and treatment are extremely effective in fixing this problem by establishing proper alignment of the joints.. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can experience effective pain relief.

Spinal Subluxation

A prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine, is subluxated or misaligned facet joints. Subluxations can happen on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. They not only produce pain, but they can also compromise the spinal nerves as they exit the foramen or spaces between the vertebrae, and produce nerve compression, known as paraethesia. Paraesthesia is a change of sensation described as a tingling, burning or "funny feeling." Paraesthesia in the upper extremities usuallyoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is most often associated with nerve problemsin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also becorrelated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best corrected by chiropractic adjustments.

Trauma

Injury such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine and lower back and create extreme pain and immobility. Proper chiropractic care at the onset of symptoms is vital in order to prevent long term disability and the development of any of the above conditions. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.

When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and highly competent treatment for any of the above-mentioned problems of the spine and lower back.

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Massage Chairs Relieve Lower Back Pain

Massage chairs effectively relieve lower back pain. There are a variety of massage treatments available in many advanced massage chairs. You can target lower back pain relief at the touch of a button. Did you know that low back pain affects hundreds of thousands of people each year? We all know the symptoms. One wrong twist or turn and our back makes a twang and ouch! Sometimes, it happens fast, while other times it’s a gradual process.

Symptoms develop through times perhaps starting with stiffness and progressing on to soreness. At some point in our lifetime, we will experience low back pain. As someone that has lower back pain, I found that a massage chair has helped in many ways.

First off, we know that prevention should be our first and foremost goal. So I will present some quick items to consider. Preventing low back pain means taking positive action to improve your overall health as well as your back health. First realize that you must protect your back in your activities. This means learning the correct ways of lifting, sitting and standing.

The most common areas to correct are your standing posture, sitting positions and lifting techniques. These are areas of the highest probability of an injury. So if you are standing, hold your head up high and put your shoulders back. Try not to slouch forward. This creates concentration of pressure on your spinal column. How do you sit? For the most part we sit with our shoulders slouched forward. This places more strain on the muscles of the upper back. You can immediately correct this pain by holding your shoulders back and sitting up straight.

This protects the back from top to bottom. What about activities that involve lifting. Learning proper lifting techniques are important. When you pick up heavier items, they can do more damage to your back. Heavier items have more mass and require more effort which puts more strain on your back. When lifting items, it is critical to use your legs. Bend your knees and let your legs do the lifting-not your back. Massage chairs help relieve lower back pain by massage treatments. There are a variety of programs I have used to reduce soreness and discomfort. A rolling massage helps to adjust the vertebrae.

You can use a shiatsu massage to relieve soreness and to revitalize your muscles. I have even used some of the traction features of the newer massage chairs to stretch my lower body. To take some pressure off my lower back, you can select a rolling massage. The massage chair uses rollers to go up and down your spine. You can recline the chair to find the pressure you want applied. The rollers move slowly up and down the spine.

As it passes each cervical disc, it will give it a gentle press. This action helps to loosen the soft tissue around the cervical discs. Try the shiatsu massage program. Shiatsu is a centuries old technique originating in Japan. Shiatsu uses different thumb and finger pressures along with acupressure points. It is a very invigorating and pain relieving massage. Shiatsu around the spinal column helps the muscles to reduce in stiffness and become more flexible. Some of the more advanced massage chairs have a traction system. The massage chair will actually hold your feet. It raises the leg rest to the horizontal position. With you in a seated position, the leg rest starts to move downward to 3 successively lower positions.

This stretches out the lower body. All this while you are getting your massage treatment! If you have back pain, then a massage chair may be an important compliment to your overall health and wellness plan.

Prevention is certainly the best medicine. However, if you are affected by low back pain, then finding the right treatments is paramount to proper recovery. A massage chair can help you both on the prevention side and on the recovery side. Massage Chairs See a variety of the best massage chairs for effective relief of low back pain

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Non-Surgical Treatment for Low-Back Pain

With a variety of treatments available now for low back pain relief, most people prefer non-surgical treatment methods. Non-surgical treatment, usually referred to as the ‘conservative treatment,’ includes heat, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, electrical nerve stimulation, spinal bracing, chiropractic care, epidural steroid injection, tissue mobilization and therapeutic spinal traction. Low back pain is usually caused by degenerative disc, excessive stress to the back, arthritis of the spine, minimal movement, malpositioning of vertebrae and by problems in ligaments and tendons in and around the spine, spinal cord infection, Piriformis syndrome and other spinal conditions. Low back pain symptoms vary in different people depending on whether the pain is acute or chronic. X-rays and MRI scans are used for determining the source of low back pain. Low back pain can be successfully treated either with non-surgical treatment methods, conservative care, or surgery. With limited success in eliminating disc problems completely, back surgery is opted only when the non-surgical methods become ineffective. Patients suffering from low back pain can achieve equally beneficial success as those obtained from surgery with non-surgical treatment methods. Physical therapy is one of the most popular non-surgical treatment methods for low back pain. The non-surgical treatment methods are very effective even for chronic low back pain. The conservative methods make use of manually or mechanically created forces to stretch spinal muscles to alleviate back pain. With the advancement of technology, a new treatment technique called non-surgical spinal decompression (NSSD) has emerged. It has proven to be one of the most effective methods in low back pain treatment and is widely used all over the world. Drugs such as Opioids and Narcotics are used to treat acute back pain. For chronic low back pains, NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used. With the latest advancements in the medical field, low back pain relief is possible for most patients. Mild symptoms of back pain should not be ignored and the right treatment should be taken. Igor Stiler is a medical consultant at HealthQuest, a state of the art multi-specialty office in Brooklyn, NY. By combining neurology, chiropractic care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, HealthQuest provides the highest quality care and services available. We have licensed physicians and technologists who are well experienced in offering spinal decompression services through a comprehensive package including heat, soft tissue massage, ice, myofascial release, electrical therapy, stretches and exercises.

By Igor Stiler Published: 9/5/2008

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Lower Back Pain Treatment

by: Saurabh Jain 7eb df0 The lower back pain treatment is required as lower back pain affects us more than any accident or any other short-term sickness. Though lower back pain treatment is available, it is important to understand and recognize the pain in proximity in order to select the best treatment. Lower back pain can occur any time and while doing any activity, such as driving a car, picking heavy objects, playing, or because of an accident. Lower back pain is so prevalent in America that at least 100 million workdays are lost every year and accounts for 15% of a person’s sick leaves. That is quite a lot! If one does not receive lower back pain treatment on time, it might become potentially more damaging. Types of Lower Back Pain Treatment Lower back pain can be treated only when you have identified the origin of the pain. After you have identified the affected area, there are various options as far as lower back pain treatment is concerned, which generally depends on the severity of the pain. If you have a ruptured muscle or ligament, the treatment you would need would be completely different and best person to decide on the treatment type would be a spine specialist. One of the most common treatments for low back pain is acetaminophen. It is a pain reliever that is taken orally. This will relieve you from pain for a short period. However, if you pain persists, then other oral medications maybe prescribed, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the safest form of treatment is correct back exercises. They not only help in relaxing the muscles, but also improve blood flow. When suffering from back pain, the best resting position is to lie down on your back. Place some pillows under your knees, and bend your knees. This removes the unnecessary pressure and weight off your back, providing you with the much needed relief. It has been proved that back exercises are extremely helpful in providing relief against acute lower back pain. Then there is a heating pad, which is far more effective than ice packs and enables you to reduce painful muscle spasms and relax your ligaments For more information on Back Pain please click http://www.backpain-resources-online.com About The Author Saurabh Jain is the Executive Editor of Online Back pain resource, www.backpain-resources-online.com. He has developed this site to provide valuable information to people suffering from back pain. This site enumerates different causes and factors related to back pain, guides through the different back pain treatments and suggests exercises for treatments of different types of back pain. The site is a free online resource for back pain and its remedies. The visitors can also find valuable information and reviews about the different equipments and therapies for back pain relief. Visit www.backpain-resources-online.com for more information.

This article was posted on March 30, 2006

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Low Back Pain & Sciatica – The Role Of The Piriformis Muscle

Low back Pain & Sciatica can be very painful conditions, where pain is felt either in the low back & / or passing down the leg from either the low back or buttock region. There are several reasons as to why you may suffer with Low Back Pain or Sciatica, but a tight Piriformis muscle is a relatively common cause. Deep within the buttock region is where the Piriformis muscle can be found. It is actually attached to the Sacrum, and then travels outwards where it attaches to the outside of the hip. As the Sciatic Neve passes through the buttock area, it travels through, or underneath, the Piriformis muscle. A tight Piriformis muscle will place increased stress upon the Sciatic Nerve as it passes through or underneath it, potentially aggravating the Sciatic Nerve and causing pain. On the other hand, as far as Low Back Pain is concerened, it is the constant ‘tugging’ upon the Sacrum, caused by the tight Piriformis muscle, which is the problem. The Sacrum forms half of the Sacro-Iliac joint (Sacro referring to the Sacrum and Iliac referring to a specific part of the pelvis) and if the sacrum is being pulled on too much, there will be increased stresses placed across the Sacro-Iliac joint, which itself can ultimately lead to pain. If you find that your Low Back Pain begins not in the lower back itself, but rather a little further down (but above the buttock region), there is a reasonable chance it is Sacro-Iliac pain your are suffering with. Some people often say to me it feels as if the pain is coming from an area below their back where there are a ‘couple of dimples’. This is in the area of the Sacro-Iliac joint and if you feel the same, it maybe this joint which is the source of your pain. Aggravation to the Sciatic Nerve, anywhere along its length, can result in Sciatica. However, if a tight Piriformis muscle is the cause of your pain, the chances are the ‘focus’ of your pain is going to begin in the buttock region. If this is the case, the Piriformis muscle will need to be stretched. There are several ways of stretching the Piriformis muscle, all of which would are best described with the use of a diagram. There is a link at the bottom of this article which will show you some Piriformis stretches. Massage is an excellent way of loosening up this muscle, and by using a small ball (maybe a tennis ball or something similar) this is something you can try yourself: Lie yourself on your back with your knees bent. Place the ball approximately in the middle of buttock on the side which needs to be massaged (this is approximately where the Piriformis muscle is). From there, gently ‘roll’ the ball by moving / rotating your buttock, so that the ball gently massages the area underneath. Due to the close proximity of the Sciatic Nerve to the Piriformis muscle, it is important you take care while performing this exercise. If you are too aggressive, you may simpy end up aggravating the Sciatic Nerve and therefore making your pain worse. If it does, this is nothing to worry about. However, it is your body’s way of telling you it is not ready for that kind of treatment yet. Have a rest for a day or two and then try again, only being a little gentler next time! Exercises such as stretching and massage are an excellent way of loosening up a tight Piriformis muscle. Consequently, if it is tightness in this muscle which is responsible for your pain, your pain should soon begin to resolve itself. By: Paul Boxcer Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Sign up to his FREE 5 Day Course and learn how to Treat Your Low Back Pain & Sciatica NOW

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The Leg Raise Ab Exercise And Lower Back Pain

Leg raises can be a useful ab exercise, but for some people the risk of injury might outweigh the benefit gained from doing leg raises. Let’s talk a little more about what’s going on with your abdominal muscles and lower back during leg raises.

When you perform leg raises, your abdominal muscles work with your hip flexors. Your abdominal muscles work to keep your pelvis stable, while your hip flexors work to move your legs. This is actually an important motion to master, but here are the problems that may arise.

Problem #1: Your Abdominal Muscles are too Weak to Keep Your Pelvis and Lower Back Stable!

Our legs are heavy, so our abdominal muscles must work really hard to keep our pelvis and lower back in the correct position. As the legs lower towards the floor, there is a tendency for the lower back to arch.
When the lower back arches, there is extra pressure placed on the joints of the lower back. The job of the abdominals is to stop the lower back from arching excessively, so if you have weak abdominals you will likely have extra pressure on your lower back when you perform leg raises.

Ab Workout Tip: You can build up your abdominal strength and protect your lower back by limiting your range of motion during leg raises. Begin with your hips at 90 degrees. Lower your legs until you feel your pelvis tipping and your lower back arching; at that point reverse directions and return to the starting position.

As you move closer to the floor more pressure is placed on your lower back so limit your range of motion and move only as far as you can control.
Workout Tip: If you have trouble keeping your legs straight in the air, it is likely a sign of poor flexibility in the hamstring muscles. Stretching your hamstrings can improve your form during this ab exercise.

Workout Tip: If you have any trouble performing leg raises, begin by mastering reverse crunches. Reverse Crunches can help to strengthen your abdominal muscles and increase the flexibility in your lower back, and they are a great exercise for beginners and athletes.

Problem #2: You Have Bad Posture and Bad Alignment in Your Spine!

Here are 2 simple statements about posture. When your posture and alignment are ideal, you have the least pressure on your lower back and the most stability. And, when your posture is not ideal, you have more pressure on the joints of your lower back and less stability in your lower back. Bad Posture adds pressure to your lower back.

Problem #3: Your Hip Flexors add Pressure to the Joints of the Lower Back!

When the legs move during ab exercises, the hip flexors contract. When the hip flexors contract, pressure is added to the lower back. This is a normal process, and this happens during every exercise and at every joint.

But if you have joint irritation in your lower back aggressively working your hip flexors can add excessive pressure to your joints. This problem is really only a problem if you have lower back injuries.

If you have weak abdominals, poor posture, and a lower back injury, then, full straight leg raises all the way to the floor are probably not the best ab exercise for you. If you are a beginner, start by practicing the drawing in maneuver and the plank exercise. Then, move on to reverse crunches and regular crunches. Once you have mastered the basics, it is okay to progress to leg raises and more challenging ab exercises.

By: Charles Inniss

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Charles Inniss is a Physical Therapist and Personal Trainer. Visit his website for more free core training tips and to see pictures of over 100 ab exercises

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