What are the common causes of low back pain and sciatica?
There are many different causes of low back pain.
For some people, back pain can be a one-time event after an accident or from doing too much activity, or from lifting or carrying something too heavy.
But for others, low back pain can be chronic or recurrent because of certain underlying conditions as well as lifestyle factors.
The most common causes of lower back pain include:
- Sacroiliac joint issues
- Muscle strain
- Disc herniations
- Disc narrowing
- Osteoarthritis in the spine
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis
- Pre/Post-Natal back pain
- Trauma
- Weak back, core, glute or pelvic floor muscles
- Kyphosis
- Osteoporosis
If you have questions, contact our clinic today.
Common symptoms of low back pain and sciatica:
The type and location of pain you can feel when you have a lower back problem can vary depending on the specific reason for your problem. Common symptoms you might be feeling will include:
- Sharp or dull pain in your lower back
- Pain in the back, buttocks, and legs
- Shooting or burning pain in your buttock or leg
- Numbness or tingling in your leg
- Feeling of heaviness in your leg
- Feeling of tightness or spasm in your lower back muscles
WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR LOW BACK PAIN?
Physiotherapy and chiropractic care are proven to be two types of treatments that provide CONSISTENT and LONG-LASTING back pain relief.
Treatment may include different back and core strengthening exercises, manual therapy such as spinal adjustments and manipulation to restore movement and relieve pain, soft tissue therapy and massage to relieve muscle tension, modalities to reduce pain and promote healing, taping to help improve your posture, and education on how to restore pain-free movement.
Each person’s back pain is unique due to a combination of their back condition, health history, past experience with back injuries, physical status, and age. Therefore, a unique combination of the above treatments will be used by your physiotherapist or chiropractor to optimize your recovery process and get you feeling better as soon as possible.
BEST EXERCISES TO RELIEVE LOW BACK PAIN
One of the best ways to manage and reduce your low back pain is through exercise. By participating in an exercise program that includes stretches to improve your range of motion as well as strengthening exercises to improve the strength and stability of your spine, you’ll be well on your way to living a stronger, pain free life.
Before starting any exercise program for your low back pain, it is important to consult with a registered physiotherapist. Your physical therapist will perform a thorough assessment to figure out what the cause of your back pain is. After the assessment, you and your physical therapist will work together to develop an individualized treatment plan to help you meet your goals.
With that being said here are 8 exercises for your back pain that you can do at home.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT LOW BACK PAIN?
You can avoid low back pain by implementing the following tips on a daily basis:
- Watching your posture when you sit, stand, move, and sleep
- Improving your sleep to allow your body to rest and recharge
- Using relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices to relieve stress and tension in your back
- Eating nutritious food to lower inflammation in your body
- Keeping physical active to make your body strong and prevent your back from stiffening up
- Consider quitting smoking because it can cause damage to your body and reduce healing
WHAT ARE THE BEST SLEEPING POSITIONS WHEN YOU HAVE BACK PAIN?
Although there is no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to finding the best sleeping position, these are some examples of sleeping positions that are generally the most comfortable and supportive for people with back pain.
If you typically sleep on your side, try using a pillow between your knees while ensuring that your knees are bent toward your chest to keep your body in better alignment.
If you’re someone who sleeps on your back, try placing a pillow under your knees to promote proper positioning of your low back. You can also try adding a small towel in the lower curve of your back for additional support.
Sleeping on your stomach isn’t an ideal position for back pain, however if you’re unable to tolerate the above positions then try placing a pillow under your lower stomach and altering the side your head is turned to when possible.
WHAT IS SCIATICA?
Sciatica, commonly known as “lumbar radiculopathy,” is a painful ailment caused by sciatic nerve irritation. The lumbar region and behind the thigh are prominent locations for this type of pain. Individuals suffering from sciatica frequently report pain spreading deep into their lower limbs as a symptom.
Sciatica can make it painfully hard to bend, walk, and exercise. The most common cause of sciatica is lumbar disc herniation, but it can also be caused by back damage and disc degeneration.
HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY TREAT SCIATICA PAIN?
When you come to the clinic, the physiotherapist or chiropractor will gather as much information as possible to find what could be causing your sciatica. These medical professionals will conduct an interview and then conduct a physical assessment to identify contributing factors.
The physical assessment will look at your posture, how you move, your range of motion, muscle strength, how your joints move, etc. They will also see if any of these tests reproduce your symptoms.
Once the physiotherapist or chiropractor identifies the cause of the problem, they will provide you with a specific treatment plan that is personalized to you.
Treatment methods often include working on your posture, inner core strength, and getting the nerve moving.
WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?
To comprehend why and how vertebral discs herniate, it is necessary to first understand what these structures are and what they do. A vertebral disc’s outer layer is a disc-shaped container made of cartilage.
The annulus fibrosus is a container that houses a gelatinous inner substance called the nucleus pulposus. Discs are springy, tough, and flexible enough to absorb shock from walking, running, and changes in physical position.
At the same time, they keep their height constant, which helps to support the facet joints that connect and articulate the vertebrae.
Unfortunately, functional failures of vertebral discs can and do occur. Damage or stress can weaken a portion of the annulus fibrosus.
This causes it to expand outward from the spinal column. If the weakened cartilage ruptures, the nucleus pulposus can escape from the disc and land on nearby spinal nerve tissue.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A HERNIATED DISC?
Symptoms associated with a herniated disc may vary depending on where the injured disc is located on your spine.
Some of the more common symptoms you may experience include:
- Burning, numbness, or tingling in the back, buttock, legs, and/or feet
- Pain that intensifies when sitting, coughing, sneezing, or bending
- Pain when bending or twisting
- Weakness in the legs
There is a solution to your problem that doesn’t involve expensive surgeries or addictive medications. If you think you may have a herniated disc or other back pain issues, physiotherapy can help! We recommend scheduling a consultation with our physiotherapist as soon as possible.
HOW CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT CAN HELP LOW BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA
Our back pain specialists will perform a thorough assessment aimed at identifying the root of the problem and will come up with a specific treatment plan tailored to your needs.
- Reduce pain and stiffness
- Restore mobility and function so you feel less vulnerable when you move
- Help you get back to the activities or sports that are important to you
- Teach you self-management strategies that speed recovery, allow you to take control of your pain and help prevent re-injury
- Strengthen weak back, pelvic and leg muscles
How can the Back Pain Relief Program help you?
Our back pain specialists will perform a thorough assessment aimed at identifying the root of the problem and will come up with a specific treatment plan tailored to your needs.
- Reduce pain and stiffness
- Restore mobility and function so you feel less vulnerable when you move
- Help you get back to the activities or sports that are important to you
- Teach you self-management strategies that speed recovery, allow you to take control of your pain and help prevent re-injury
- Strengthen weak back, pelvic and leg muscles
What to expect at the Back Pain Relief Clinic:
At your initial visit, our back specialist will:
- Complete a comprehensive history and physical examination
- Develop a specific treatment plan to address the root of your problem
- Identify underlying issues that are contributing to your pain
- Provide recommendations for any referrals that are needed (ie. specialist, imaging that might be needed, other treatment modalities, etc)
- Discuss your goals for treatment and how we’ll help you achieve them
Your treatment plan will include evidence-based options tailored to your needs and goals:
- Hands-on treatment to release muscle tightness and joint stiffness
- Treatment to reduce acute pain, inflammation, and spasm
- Instruction on activity modification, positioning, sleeping positions, self-management strategies, and ergonomic advice to help you take control of your pain
- Special exercises that focus on improving mobility and flexibility
- Special exercises to target weak back, glut, core muscles
- Acupuncture for inflammation and pain management
- Gradual and safe re-introduction of activities and sports
- 1:1 rehab pilates or rehab personal training with instructors who have specialized training in how to treat back pain
- Massage and soft tissue release techniques
Is the Back Pain Relief Clinic covered by insurance?
Yes, the program is covered by most extended health insurance plans under your coverage for physiotherapy or chiropractic services. Every plan is different in terms of coverage so it’s a good idea to contact your insurance company to ask how much they cover. If you need help or have questions please call us and our patient experience coordinates would be happy to help!
Contact us to learn more.
Do I need to get imaging (MRI, xray, etc) before my appointment?
If you have imaging results please bring the reports with you to your appointment as it will help our specialist provide you with a more complete and accurate care plan. But don’t worry if you haven’t had imaging because our specialist will refer you to get any imaging if it’s needed.
Contact us to learn more.
CONTACT US TODAY TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT!
If you are searching for a Chiropractor in Bloor West Village and The Kingsway, your search can end here. Contact us today to book an appointment.
Or you can ask us about setting up a complimentary 15-minute consultation where you can talk to our back pain specialist, ask questions and get honest treatment advice.
