Back pain is something that a majority of people will experience in their lifetime. Studies suggest up to 80% of people will experience back pain at one point in their lifetime and once back pain is experienced, it is very likely to happen again later in life. Back pain can lead to a few common symptoms including pain in and around the spine (obviously), pain that radiates into the hip and buttock area, and the ever so Google searched sciatica pain. Even though back pain produces these common symptoms with each episode, they do not originate from the same structures in the spine and each episode could, potentially, originate from a different area or structure in the spine. In this article we will discuss how not all low back pain is the same and why treatment has to be specific to each episode of low back pain while also individualized to the person experiencing that pain.
Anatomy
Focusing on the low back, or lumbar spine, we can see there are five vertebra that sit on top of the sacrum, a wedge shaped bone that sits between the two pelvic bones (the tail bone sits right at the bottom of it). Each vertebra has a joint on both sides with the vertebra above it and below it. Between each vertebra are the discs. There is also an opening on each side, just in front of the joints of the spine, where the nerve roots come off the spinal cord. These nerve roots come together soon after leaving the spine and create the larger nerves that go into the legs, all the way down to the toes. One of those nerves is the ever so popular sciatic nerve (but more on that later).
There are also many different muscles, tendons and ligaments that help stabilize and move the spine. As we can see, there are a lot of different structures in the spine and many of them are in close proximity to those nerve roots, which is where pain originates from. How and when we experience that pain depends on which of these structures irritates the nerves.
Causes of Low Back Pain
The discs, joints, openings for the nerve roots, and the muscles can all be causes of back pain. Each of these structures put stress on the nerve roots in different ways. The structure responsible for the nerve irritation or compression (and there is a difference) will cause pain with different activities in our daily life.
For example disc bulges tend to cause pain with sitting and bending over while arthritis in the joints of the low back causes pain with longer periods of standing and walking. All of these structures could cause a common SYMPTOM known as sciatica. SYMPTOM is in all caps because it’s important to know that sciatica IS NOT A DIAGNOSIS BUT A SYMPTOM. The cause of sciatic nerve pain needs to be addressed appropriately to ensure it is actually treated and not flared up. But more on that in a second.
For a more in depth look at each of these common causes of pain click here.
Cookie Cutter Treatment Won’t Work
This seems obvious, especially after what we have already talked about, but I see it all too often. People are given the same information on how to treat their lower back pain without the TRUE CAUSE of the pain being identified. I cringe when I see the “10 Exercises To Treat Your Sciatica” articles being shared on social media. As we just discussed sciatica IS NOT A DIAGNOSIS IT IS A SYMPTOM. Some of the exercises or stretches on that list could make the pain worse. Some might help. Some won’t change it at all. Without a professional with expertise in movement, body mechanics, and diagnosing the cause of lower back pain and sciatica giving a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, the potential for worsening the pain will be there.
Also, this diagnosis and treatment can be effectively implemented without the use of pain medications (such as opioids), imagining and surgery! The proper identification of the problem and an individualized treatment plan is key.
Luckily, here in our great state of Maine, we have direct access to physical therapy, allowing those experiencing lower back pain and/or sciatica to see an expert without jumping through hoops and spending more time in pain. Click here to learn more about direct access physical therapy.
Click here to contact me and learn more about how we can prevent and treat your back pain!
Here’s to living a happier, healthier, and wealthier life doing what you love with who you love!
About The Author
Dr. Phil Finemore, received his Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology in 2013 & his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2015 from Husson University in Bangor, ME. Dr. Finemore has spent the last 5 years treating a variety of neurological & musculoskeletal conditions in outpatient orthopedic clinics in Southern Maine. That experience has proven time and time again that way too many people are being passed around from provider to provider spending more time in pain and less time living the abundant life they have worked so hard to achieve! That has become Dr. Phil’s goal: help busy Maine professionals, executives, and business owners improve physical performance to live a happy, healthy, and wealthy life with their loved ones. Dr. Phil doesn’t work for insurance companies, he works with his clients, getting them results that lead to more abundance in every aspect of life. His mission is to make sure the dreams and aspirations of each of his clients aren’t derailed by preventable injury and pain. Dr. Finemore became a physical therapist to help people & that is the number one goal here at WorkFitME.
Originally from Oakland, ME, Dr. Finemore is an avid outdoorsman & enjoys playing guitar in his spare time. He, and his wife, Mallory welcomed their first child, Brielle, in May of 2019.
