A tree with strong roots can withstand the most violent storm,
but the tree can’t grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon.”
– Dalai Lama.
Almost all of us will exoerience back pain in our lives. Lumbar radiculopathy, often called sciatica, is a condition charcterized by compression or iirritation of nerve root(s) in the low back, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness beyond the back and down the leg. The culprit of this “pain in the butt” may be a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the space within the spine, the bony tunnels that protect your spinal cord and the branching nerves that provide sensation and movement of the legs. This occurs in the majority of the population, yet only a small percentage actually experiences pain or disability. By age 40, the majority of people have at least one degenerated disc, and by age 80, even the most fit show significant disc deterioration. While many people with disc degeneration experience little to no discomfort, it is a leading cause of back pain and disability.
Red flags to watch out for with lumbar radiculopathy include symptoms like bowel or bladder dysfunction, progressive neurological weakness, sudden onset of radicular pain in one or both legs, incapacitating or unrelenting night pain, or saddle anesthesia (a reduction of sensation in the area that would be in contact with a saddle when riding). These symptoms warrant immediate medical attention as they may indicate a serious underlying condition such as spinal tumors or infections.
Introduce exercises to awaken, stretch and strengthen sleepy core muscles and nerves, improve posture, and reduce pain to reduce risk of developing debilitating pain and dysfunction from lumbar pathology.
Lifestyle medicine is the prescription for prevention and the antidote for lumbar radiculopathy. Cultivate body awareness to avoid activities that worsen symptoms, such as prolonged sitting or excessive high impact activities during time of exacerbation. Maintain your body’s software in prime condition to help you get beyond occasional back aches. Get to the root of your optimal health and fitness needs to meet the demands of your adventurous life.
