Natural Pain Relief from Sciatica, and Lower Back Pain

01/17/2008

About 80% of all Americans will have at least one backache during their lifetime. In fact, seven million adults will each lose ten to fifteen working days a year because of chronic back pain or sciatica. Sheila Yonemoto, a physical therapist in Alhambra ( California ), who has brought natural pain relief to many patients, would like to see an improvement in these statistics.

Why is back pain so common? Being erect puts extra pressure on the lower spine which must support the weight of the upper body, putting a heavy load on a small area. Ligaments connect the bones together in a way to allow for some flexibility and limitation of movement. They keep the joints intact. The disc is a deeper structure located between 2 bones in the spine. The bones are called vertebrae and the disc is made up of more flexible material called fibrous-cartilage. Each disc is composed of a tough, fibrous outer layer surrounding a jelly-like inner substance.

This construction allows the disc to act more like shock absorbers/movement enhancers in the spine while the bones provide a hard, protective canal for the delicate nerves going through it to supply the body. The muscles lie on top of the bone and move the bones when the nerves relay the message to move. The disc is about 80% water, but as we get older the water content falls and the disc loses some of its ability to compress and this is when we can experience chronic back pain. A bulging disc is one where the outer layer of the disc weakens and the jelly-like inner substance pushes outward causing a bulge or ballooning-outward and is a common cause of lower back pain. If the outer layer breaks open, then it is called a herniated disc and all the jelly-like substance leaks out.

Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve, the large nerve going into the leg, becomes irritated and can cause pain, numbness or tingling down the back of the leg. It can be associated with lower back problems.

Excellent results have been achieved at Yonemoto Physical Therapy with Integrative Manual Therapy which seeks the basic cause of the dysfunction and reopens the body's natural lines of communication. Once this inherent flow is reestablished, the body's innate healing abilities return the body to optimum health.

Sometimes internal organ disturbances, such as irritable bowel syndrome or pelvic inflammatory conditions, or scar tissue, especially from previous surgeries, can cause or influence back pain.

When should people who suffer from lower back pain or chronic pelvic pain go to see a doctor? One or more of the following back pain symptoms could indicate a more serious problem:

· Pain, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg

· Chronic back pain or chronic pelvic pain that continues unabated when you’re lying down

· Back pain as a direct result of a fall or car accident

· Vomiting or fever associated with back pain

· Chronic back pain that persists for more than three or four days of resting

· The very young or the elderly with back pain should always see a doctor.

There are lifestyle changes you can make to help you avoid lower back pain: you can vary your position and encourage movement throughout the day; you can get regular exercise and some fun into your life. When you experience pain realize that your body is trying to tell you that injury has occurred or is about to occur. Make note of the activity you just did or any change in your activity that happened just prior to the onset of pain. Return to your previous activity level as and when you can do so comfortably. Be sure to use common sense in the amount of activity you do. Listen to your body to find out what you can and cannot do.

Then, in addition:

· Avoid bending at the waist

· Avoid lifting heavy things

· Avoid sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time

· Maintain sensible weight for your height

There is much you can do to help your doctor and therapist give you relief from back pain or sciatica. The first step is education.

Sheila Yonemoto is a physical therapist in Alhambra, California who spends, on the average, 45 minutes with a person at a time, one to three times a week for several weeks. Her training in health through exercise includes an emphasis on raising awareness of the body so that each individual will be better equipped to continue the journey to full natural pain relief and optimum health.

If you have any questions please submit them to

Sheila Yonemoto, P.T.
Yonemoto Physical Therapy
55 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 100
Alhambra, CA 91801

626-576-0591
626-576-5890 (fax)

Links:
http://www.yonemoto.com/index.htm
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/IMT.htm
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/qigong.htm