New Epidemic Research on Sitting

Emerging research points to many negative effects of too much sitting—including lower back pain lower and potential complications like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Here are ways to stand and move more during the workday.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/new-health-epidemic-sitting-disease?source=3tab

What You Need to Know About Sciatica

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/what-you-need-know-about-sciatica

Also see our Sciatica page & video on Dr Rick Jardon.com.

Axial Pain

Axial pain represents the most common type of low back pain and is only found in the lower back - it does not extend to the buttocks or legs.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/axial-back-pain-most-common-low-back-pain

Sacroiliac Joint Anatomy

The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum with the pelvis on each side of the lower spine and it transmits all the forces of the upper body to the pelvis and legs.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/sacroiliac-joint-anatomy

Sciatica and Your First Time Visit - With Dr. Rick Jardon - VIDEO!

What is sciatica? The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Get the details in this link or watch Dr. Jardon's video below as he demonstrates on a real patient.

Additional info:

How is a patient evaluated to determine chiropractic treatment? Read it all here:
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/evaluation-patient

What reactions are possible following chiropractic adjustments?
In the course of being treated by a doctor of chiropractic for spinal derangement or subluxations, certain reactions may be experienced by the patient receiving the chiropractic adjustment. Read all about the possibilities here:
http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/reactions-following-a-chiropractic-adjustment

What Causes A Pinched Nerve?

So, what causes a pinched nerve?

Nerves exit the spinal cord from between every 2 vertebrae in an area called the intervertebral foramen (IVF). Anything that protrudes into that space or decreases that space, can pinch the nerve. The most common causes of this are herniated or bulged discs, degenerated discs, bone spurs and misaligned vertebrae.

How do you know whether you have a pinched nerve?

Pain, numbness and tingling or weakness into your arms or legs as well as neck and back pain are the most common symptoms.

The more severe the "pinch" the greater the likelihood that the symptoms travel to your arms and/or legs.

Besides just the type of symptoms, it is often made worse by certain movements that close the IVF further. For example, combine tilting your head to the side, turning it to the same side and then extend it back like you're trying to look at the ceiling. Do you feel those symptoms or does it make it worse?

So, what do you do if you have a pinched nerve?

The first thing is to get examined and xrayed to see what's causing it. Sometimes an MRI is needed as well. Once that is known, proper treatment can be implemented. If caught early, your chances are pretty good that treatment will resolve the episode.

Mind Your Posture!

Are You Mindful of Your Posture? We often hear that good posture is essential for good health, but very few people have a real grasp of the importance and necessity of good posture, or the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting or lying down. Good posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. Follow this advice for standing, sitting and lying properly: When sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor with a   small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat. Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips. When standing, bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet and keep your knees slightly bent. Your feet should be about shoulder-width apart and your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders to keep your head from jutting forward, backward or to the side. Avoid sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time. Sleep with a pillow and avoid lying on your stomach. If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs. If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees.