Do you have lower back pain?

Here are signs that it may be a lumbar disc problem:

• Leg Pain (sciatica) with or without lower back pain
• Lower Back pain and/or pain in the buttocks
• After sitting a while, difficult to stand up straight for a few steps
• Tender/stiffness when attempting to bend backward
• Numbness, weakness and/or tingling in the leg
• Need to shift position frequently to be comfortable sitting
• Low back discomfort bending forward to do dishes/wash face

Lumbar disc herniations typically begin small and worsen over time when left untreated. It is actually less often that a ‘one time’ traumatic incident will herniate a disc. Usually discs are sightly damaged during ‘micro’ traumas which causes a swelling, which leads to bulging, which will then turn to a herniation if left unresolved.

Protect your discs by:

• Sitting up straight with your buttocks all the way to the back of the chair or car seat
• Squat when lifting heavy weights and use the “Golfer’s Lift” for lifting small items
• Avoid twisting or lower back rotation when moving heavy items.