For the health and wellness of the Mind, the Body, and the Spirit

Lumbar herniated disc animation

This animation allows you to see what a typical lumbar herniated disc looks like.  A herniated disc in the lower back can cause lower back pain and/or leg pain (sciatica) by putting pressure on the nerve root.
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Most common low back pain: Axial back pain

Axial low back pain can vary widely: it can be a sharp or dull pain, it can be felt constantly or intermittently, and the pain can range from mild to severe.   The most common type of axial back pain is "mechanical” and is characterized as:

• Low back pain that gets worse with certain activities (e.g. certain sports)
• Low back pain that gets worse with certain positions (e.g. sitting for long periods)
• Low back pain that is relieved by rest

Axial pain represents the most common type of low back pain, and it is usually non-specific – meaning that the anatomical structure responsible for the pain need not be identified because symptoms are usually self limited and resolve. more...

Low back pain with referred pain

This type of low back can also vary widely with regards to severity and quality. It tends to be achy, dull and migratory (moves around).  It tends to come and go and often varies in intensity. It can result from the identical injury or problem that causes simple axial back pain and is often no more serious. more...

Low back pain and sciatica: radicular pain

Type of pain
Radicular pain is often referred to as radiculopathy, and in lay terms is often described as sciatica.  This type of pain is often deep and steady, and can usually be reproduced with certain activities and positions, such as sitting or walking.  The pain usually follows the involved dermatome (the area of distribution of the leg covered by the specific nerve) – in the leg, this is usually the sciatic nerve. Radicular pain can be accompanied by numbness and tingling, muscle weakness and loss of specific reflexes. more...