Posts by OConnor
Learning to Listen: Is your Butt Causing you Pain?
Westwood, your butt is calling and it’s time you listened!
When it comes to lower back pain, there are dozens of factors to be considered as the cause: complex networks of nerves, muscles, and ligaments, not to mention, the vertebrae and intervertebral discs all interact and should all be considered when you feel a twinge of pain in the lower back. But here is something that usually flies under the radar: the butt!
Sciatica in Westwood
Sciatica is a common impingement syndrome
The sciatic nerve is the largest in the human body- running from the lower back down the back of each leg. Because of its size and location, the sciatic nerve is prone to injury and pressure from a variety of conditions, the most common of which are:
- Disc herniation
- Piriformis syndrome
- Spinal misalignment
Symptoms are usually experienced as cramp-like irritation, numbing in the butt and the legs, and pain ranging from dull to sharp and shooting which can go right through to the lower extremities.
Flexion-Based Intolerance in Westwood
Flexion-based movement is the most common source of back pain in our culture
We spend so much time in bad posture- at our desks, on our couches, hunched over our phones; we spend less time than ever moving, whether purposefully or not, which is a key way to alleviate pressure from your spine. Your spine is essentially given a lifelong allowance on how much flexion it can take- that is, time spent in a bent over position; unfortunately, we are seeing more people than ever using up their allowance before they even turn 30!
Conditions related to flexion-based back pain include:
- Disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Back pain
Westwood, When is the Best Time of Day to Workout?
The best time is whenever you make it!
Truth be told, this is a silly debate, because any time of day you get going on a workout is the best time for you. However, it is worth noting the advantages of a morning time workout vs. the afternoon and vice versa. And here’s another thing: consistency is important. People have much more sustained success if they work out regularly on the same schedule rather than fitting it in whenever they have time; keeping a regular workout schedule is the best way to keep yourself accountable. If you are looking to make a change in your workout routine, read on!