Back pain affecting your life? The average adult bends forward, on average 3,000 times a day. Our posture revolves around sitting, sitting, and more sitting. How many of you have experienced back pain, hip pain, or leg pain? Ever been told that you have a "disc" problem? Well you are not alone. On average, 75% of the clients we treat have intermittent or chronic back pain. I'll bet most of you have tried treating yourself at home, gone to your doctor, and tried several medications. Additionally, many have also had X-rays or other imaging studies, had massage therapy, chiropractic care, or physical therapy. Some have even had spinal injections and/or surgery.

My husband and I have over 20 years of combined experience and have had great success treating all types of back pain. We agree that a common source of low back pain involves the intervertebral disc. The intervertebral disc is located in the spine, with bones (called vertebrae) above and below. The disc has two components: The annulus fibrosis is a tough outer shell with a ring-like structure. The nucleus pulposus is a soft jelly-like substance that is contained within the annulus fibrosis. The disc is like a water balloon or jelly doughnut....you squeeze one side and move the contents in the opposite direction. Bending forward and prolonged sitting, essentially cause flexion (or forward bending) of the lumbar spine. With flexion, the front (or anterior) part of the disc is compressed, while the rear (or posterior) part of the disc (which is where most bulging occurs) is stretched or elongated. Since the disc is susceptible to the forces placed on it, when flexion occurs, the nucleus pulposus (or soft jelly) migrates to the rear; this is called a bulging disc. A bulging lumbar disc usually causes midline or one sided low back pain, but can also cause pain to radiate into the leg. The nucleus pulposus can actually rupture through the annulus fibrosis; this is called a herniated nucleus pulposus, herniated disc, or ruptured disc. This condition typically causes not only back and leg pain, but also altered sensation and muscle weakness in the affected leg.

In physical therapy, we use many treatment approaches depending on the source of the pain. In the case of lumbar disc related pain, treatments include education, exercise, physical agents, and manual therapy. A key point with regard to education, is that sitting, especially unsupported sitting, is notoriously hard on the lumbar spine of the lower back., and a leading cause of low back pain Sitting posture correction is critical for successful management and treatment of disc related pain. The best tool that I have found for improving sitting posture is the original McKenzie roll. I have included a link for a site where this can be purchased. You use it in the small of your back to encourage the normal curve while sitting. The McKenzie method is a highly effective treatment for many people with back pain. This link will provide you with a variety of McKenzie products