How Could My Digestive System Be Causing My Back Pain?

This article reveals one of the major hidden causes of back pain, particularly lower back pain. This problem is a common reason why pain keeps coming back, even after physical treatments such as physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage.

The underlying cause that I'm talking about is a little valve between the large and small intestine called the Ileocaecal Valve, or ICV. When this valve dysfunctions it causes a very important stabilizing muscle in the lower back called illiacus to become "switched off". This destabilizes the lumbar spine and causes the discs to be placed under strain.

When this happens we are very vulnerable to injury. It only takes the slightest twist, lift, strain or sudden movement in the wrong direction and we are in trouble. Often people with this problem even say "I didn't even do anything, my back just started hurting."
When those muscles are switched off it can also cause your back to feel very tired or fatigued after sitting for a long period.

The confusing thing is that you can have this problem with absolutely no digestive symptoms, although people with ICV problems often do experience bloating, gas, abdominal cramping and tenderness. There is also often tenderness over the area of the valve, which is located about half way between the belly button and the right hip.

One of the most classic signs of this condition is pain or stiffness first thing in the morning that goes away once you get moving, but is back again the next morning. The pain is most often in the lower back, but can affect anywhere that you have a problem- the neck is also a common area. If you wake up each morning with a stiff neck that seems to loosen up after a hot shower but comes back the next day then it's likely you have an ICV problem.

There are many factors that can cause ICV problems, such as allergies (especially food allergies and intolerances), gut parasites, stress, physical pressure, toxicity, nutritional deficiency and dysfunction of the kidneys, bladder or gall bladder.

If any of the above sounds like you, the first thing to try would be to get some probiotics- beneficial bacteria for the gut. Make sure these are kept in the fridge where you purchase them to ensure you get live bacteria. Often an anti-parasitic herb or homeopathic remedy is needed also- if you consult a chiropractor trained in Applied Kinesiology or Neuro Emotional Technique they will be able to test what you need.

It can also to helpful to massage gently but firmly over the area of the valve in a clockwise direction.
Doing what you can to decrease your stress levels is also helpful.

There are two basic ways that the ICV can dysfunction- it can fail to open properly, in which case waste material is retained for a long time before it is passed (even though you may be regular); or it fail to close properly, in which case the bowel contents can come back up into the digestive system.

Either way, this causes the body to become toxic. One of the body's responses to this is to retain fluid, which can cause other problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and tingling or numbness in hands and feet. It can also cause headaches. However back pain is by far the most common symptom.

If you have recurring back pain, especially lower back pain, then it might be time to visit a chiropractor who specialises in Applied Kinesiology.

The Myth Behind Low Back Pain

How many people deal with some type of lower back pain? Well, according to statistics 8 out of 10 people over the age of 30 will suffer from some type of lower back pain.

Back pain comes in many different types of varieties of stiffness, aches, and can lead all the way up to sweat producing, back curling, searing pain that can bring you to your knees in a heartbeat.

But what exactly is and what causes lower back pain?

Low back pain is a complicated issue but bear with me for a minute and let me explain how it works and how pain develops.

The lower back is built with 5 bones called vertebra. These bones are designed to protect the spinal cord and its emerging spinal nerves. There are five individual bones that make up the lumbar spine. The fifth bone sits on top of a triangular bone called the sacrum (sake-rum).

In between each bone is a pad that protects each bone from 'banging' on top of one another. This pad is called a disc. The disc is a cartilage material whose fibers are built in circles. In the middle of this disc there is a jelly substance called the nucleus pulposus.

Now think how it would be if we just tried to stack up 5 bones on top of each other....probably wouldn't be too stable. That's where the muscles come in. Muscles are the stabilizers that hold the bones together so they don't fall apart. But more importantly the muscles act as shock absorbers to protect the bones and the disc from force and trauma. Just like the shock absorbers of your car they are put in to absorb the force from the road to keep it away from your cars chasse and eventually you.

The muscles without an electrical supply are useless. The muscle gets an electrical supply from the brain and spinal cord. This electricity or nerve impulses allow the muscle to turn on (contract) and turn off (relax).

When the never impulse begins to slow up and the muscle doesn't get the message as fast as it can the muscle loses its ability to absorb any force coming into that area. That force if not absorbed it will continue to the bones and the disc. If repeated force, day after day, hour after hour, is entered into the bones and discs, that area will begin to break down because it's not designed to absorb this force. The faster the never impulse the faster the muscle can contract the more force absorbed. The more force absorbed in the muscle the less force is placed on the bone therefore nor pain or discomfort.

But when that force goes into the joint over and over, day after day the joint will begin to break down. The bones and the joint space will begin to degenerate over time. This is called arthritis.

How many people do you know have or have been told they have arthritis?

When you go to the doctor and they take an X-Ray and it shows degeneration you'll be given the diagnosis of arthritis. But here is where I choose to get off the misdiagnosis carousel. When you see the degeneration or arthritis in your lower back (or any other joint) the doctor will say, "Your problem is due to the arthritis in your lower back." I'm here to tell you that this is wrong. Now it's true that you may have arthritis in your lower back but please understand this is where the damage ENDED UP, not where it BEGAN! Because your muscles couldn't properly absorb the force that force continued to go into joint and over time it began to breakdown.

Let me throw this out to you.

Find me an 8 year old with lower back pain. Okay, find me a 12 year old with a lower back problem. You see, the reason why you can find any children with any lower back problems is that there neurological system is working at top levels and therefore the muscles work the way it was designed.

Think about this for a moment. Let's take a 25 year old body builder and let's take a 8 year old young boy. Who is going to do better with repetitive jumping off a four or five foot ledge? Now think about this...the body builder has muscles bigger than the 8 year olds entire body, but you and I both know that the 8 year old will do better with this repetitive jumping scenario. Even though the body builder's muscles are three to five times the size of the young boy it's the ability of the nervous system of turning on so that the muscle can absorb the force.

You've already seen young kids jump down from incredible heights without even giving it a second thought. When's that last time you stepped off a curb without looking and felt that jolt shoot up you back?

The reason for this is that the 8 year olds nervous system can turn the muscle on faster than the body builder. Now if the body builder trained for this they too can develop the muscle to absorb force just like the 8 year old. The point that I'm attempting to make is that it's the ability of the nervous system to turn that muscle on is the key in protecting any joint in the body from repetitive force.

Do you know how many lower back cases there are that keep returning. Pain returning after treatment, pain after years and even pain after surgery because they never got to the real reason why the pain came on in the first place.

After a extremely through examination my goal is to locate the area where the neurological system is not firing properly so that I can eliminate the short circuit. Once found and corrected we can then develop the proper protocols to begin to rebuild that area so that the pain and dysfunction will never return.

Chiropractic Vs Conventional Treatment for Low Back Pain: A Comparative Look

Low back pain has always been a common health issue, but it is becoming seemingly much more common and it seems there are more and more "quick fixes" and unproven remedies out there. It seems like it is getting harder and harder for the average American to figure out who to believe when it comes to low back pain remedies. Let's take a look at the difference between two different methods of treating low back pain: chiropractic therapy and conventional treatments.

Chiropractic Treatment
The practice of chiropractic medicine involves the manipulation of certain joints that have been hindered by injuries to the tissue surrounding them. This tissue can be damaged by trauma like being in a car accident, falling down or a sports injury, while they can also be damaged by overuse and improper support of the back while sitting, sleeping or lifting. When the tissue begins to heal it can sometimes develop scarring which can create knots in the tissue. These formations that develop in the tissue limit the total mobility of the joints.

When the chiropractor manipulates those joints the tissue loosens and the joint can begin to move around. The ability to have a more varied range of motion allows the pressure to come off the healing tissue or surrounding muscles, which results in an elimination or reduction of pain and the ability to be more active.

People see chiropractors for a myriad of reason, most commonly however is back pain caused by overuse, improper support, sitting too much in the same position or a number of other causes. Other reasons someone might see a chiropractor might include chronic headaches, shoulder pain, constant "crick in the neck," neuralgia, pain caused by whiplash, hip pain, knee pain, disc disorders or degeneration, just to name a few.

Conventional Treatments
The category of conventional treatments for intermittent low back pain generally includes at home treatment such as using a heating pad or soaking in a hot bath, taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines and starting a daily stretching regimen. At home remedies might also include improving support when sitting or sleeping by adding a lumbar cushion. If the low back pain has become chronic, there are other conventional treatments that can be tried such as physical therapy or pain control by prescribing prescription strength pain medications.

To summarize, chiropractic treatments offer a more natural alternative to conventional treatments which often include the use of prescription drugs that can cause dependence and don't actually do anything to fix the problem that is causing the pain that the drugs are merely masking. Often times, chiropractic treatments can be used in conjunction with some of the more conventional types of treatment to see even better results. Other alternative therapies can be included as well, such as acupuncture or massage. Some recent studies have also found that stretching exercises and the practice of yoga can help prevent low back pain from coming back after seeing results from a combination of conventional and chiropractic treatments.

Back Pain Solutions - Lower Back Pain and Sciatica Pain Relief Treatment - That Works Effectively!

This may shock you but the PHYSICAL CAUSE of the MAJORITY of back pain and sciatica is ISCHEMIA also known as OXYGEN DEPRIVATION! Accepting this is often half the battle towards finding back pain solutions and sciatica nerve pain relief that works!

Only 4-5% oxygen deprivation is needed to cause problems in the spinal columns muscles, tendons and nerves especially the sensitive sciatic nerve. Problems can range from tight muscle spasms and muscle cramps (from lactic acid build up) to nerve irritation, tingling and even a frightening sense of 'deadness' in the leg.

A Brief Explanation of Oxygen Deprivation

Oxygen deprivation pain comes from a lightning fast process in the body which takes just milliseconds to occur. This is why the onset of pain is often so sharp and sudden. Briefly what happens is that the autonomic nervous system gets the 'go ahead' signal from the mind to decrease blood circulation to the nerves and tissues in the spinal column.

This reduced blood circulation means that there is a decrease in available oxygen to the spine as the blood, namely the red blood cells, carry oxygen from our lungs around the body.

But why is the autonomic nervous system sending out signals to the circulatory system to decrease oxygen supplies and circulation in the spine?

This is the million dollar question for back pain and sciatica cures! Understanding the answer to this question is KEY to knowing the ROOT CAUSE of the majority of back pain and sciatica. Once the correct cause is identified, the chances of solving the problem increase exponentially. Right cause, right remedy.

Back Pain Solutions-Finding Out The Root Cause Of Oxygen Deprivation

Oxygen deprivation pain mimicks pain blamed on mechanical and even degenerative failures in our spines. As we age most people will develop from their thirties onwards, especially if they are smokers or have a poor diet, certain structural or mechanical failures in the spine.

However, although the blame for pain often lies as the feet of the nerves, discs, posture, and misalignment it may not necessarily be the case. If we allow ourselves to think outside the box then the ACTUAL CAUSE of pain for many thousands of back pain and sciatica sufferers may be something completely different. Read on to find out below..

Back Pain Sufferers Deserve To Know About Tension Myositis Syndrome Dr John Sarno (M.D.), a US doctor pioneering in the area of back pain since the 70's came up with an inspirational theory which he has named Tension Myositis Syndrome. Tension means a certain type of inner, buried tension we are not usually aware of, myositis means affecting the muscles (and nerves too) and syndrome meaning the disorder can have many sites, the spine being one of the most common.

This theory states after years of research and countless cures that even though back pain and sciatica have a physical cause (oxygen deprivation so it is NOT psychosomatic pain) it has its source in the mind, namely the unfelt, unconscious mind.

Dare To Find Out Why The Unconscious Mind Might Be Causing You Pain!

The unconscious is neither logical or rational and it develops the pain syndrome as a defence mechanism to keep buried emotions and inner conflicts, well, buried. These can be like a volcano inside us simmering away, threatening to erupt in our psyches with chaotic consequences.

Therefore by 'creating' the oxygen deprivation pain syndrome in the body, the unconscious mind can make us blame the pain on disc herniations, ruptures, certain types of disc and spinal degeneration, accidents, trips, sprains and falls. As we are obsessing over the 'damage' in our backs and its weakness we tend to forget about everything else especially our emotional difficulties. They can safely remain hidden and buried inside us, albeit in a festering manner.

The physical pain of back pain and sciatica which can often become excruciating can then be used by the mind as a powerful decoy to hide our buried, 'real' selves. These 'real' selves have often become overloaded through the stress and strains of life. Events such as a bereavement, illness, family/marital problems, financial melt down can tilt the balance in the wrong direction and trigger a heightened form of the pain syndrome far and above our usual aches and pains of every day.

Emotional Awareness of the 'Rea' Self, The Key To A Cure "An imaginary self (ego) and a real self make up the person. We strive to present the first to the world (wear our mask) and to neglect the second." Fulton Sheen

If the 'real' self becomes overloaded and is ignored for too long a distraction strategy (often of severe pain) is introduced by the unconscious mind into the autonomous nervous system via oxygen deprivation pain. Healthy emotional maturity and emotional awareness skills serve to dissipate such problems.

However in modern life this emotional maturity and also the time in which to 'listen' to the 'real' self is sadly lacking. Further, we are often unwilling to face what needs to be faced such as deep grief and loss and have become experts in distraction strategies such as shopping, TV, drink and other addictions. All these prevent us 'tuning into' our 'real' selves.

Living very often in success orientated, fast paced societies we literally don't have the time to become emotionally aware of our real selves anymore and we live more and more in a virtual world. As a consequence, the age in which we live has been termed 'the age of immaturity'. Compared to our parents or grandparents, most people would agree, we are generally less emotionally mature than they were at our ages.

We are the age of the 'masked face' where appearance means everything and the 'real' self, the inner life is ignored. 'This inner life is never given a moment to see ourselves as we really are... (Fulton Sheen)

Core Exercises For Lower Back Pain Relief

When it comes to exercise for lower back pain relief, core training is one often the first things suggested. Unfortunately, many of those suffering from lower back pain are unaware that blind abdominal training alone may not improve back pain and in fact may make it worse.

A significant amount of university research has shown that high levels of lower back and abdominal strength is not correlated with low incident rates of backpain. In other words, having a strong low back or strong set of abs is not related to back pain in any way!

Having high levels of abdominal strength and low levels of lower back strength (or vice-versa) can actually pull your pelvis out of alignment and create more back problems. Your pelvis is essentially engaged in a constant tug of war between muscles trying to tilt it forward and by other muscles trying to tilt it backwards. If either group of muscles dominates, back injury and pain are much more likely to occur.

Rather than strength, it actually appears that muscular endurance is the most important quality that supportive muscular tissue can possess. Having a high endurance when performing the back-extension and the plank have been related to low incidences of pain.

To perform a plank, get into a push-up position, and then drop down to your elbows. The only parts of your body that should be in contact with the ground are your feet, your elbows, and your forearms. Your body should be in a straight line. At this point, you simply hold for time. After holding for a period of time, your abdominal muscles will start to feel exhausted. In order to get the maximum protective effect from pain, you should be able to hold this exercise for over 2 minutes.

Rather than a traditional back extension, the exercise associated with low incidences of low back pain involves holding the back extension in a contracted position. This is essentially the opposite of a plank. You can do this without equipment by laying on the edge of a bed with your upper body hanging off. You will need a partner to hold down your legs. Again, try to maintain a straight board position. This exercise is much harder than the plank, but you will still need to be able to hold it for 90 seconds in order to get the best effect against lower back pain.

Sharp Lower Back Pain When Bending Over

There are a number of reasons why people experience this type of pain in the lower part of the back when they bend over or make other particular movements, and the causes can vary. In some cases you may need to seek advice from your doctor or a healthcare professional with regards to the exact cause of the pain, as well as to sort out treatment for the problem.

The causes of this type of pain

There could be a number of causes of sharp lower back pain when bending over, and the cause will of course determine the solution to ease this problem. In some cases the pain may be the result of something as simple as having slept in an awkward position or even your posture, which may be putting strain on certain parts of the back including the lumbar region. Other causes may be more serious or complicated, and may require attention from a medical professional.

Amongst the possible causes for this sort of pain when bending over are:

• An injury that has been sustained to the lower back region


• Poor posture that has put strain on the lumbar region


• A trapped nerve that is pulled when you bend


• A slipped disc


• Muscle tightness or imbalance in the lumbar region


• Strain to the muscles in the back

It is also worth nothing that the pain can get worse as inflammation worsens, and it can also spread into the buttock area over time, which can result in increased discomfort. If the pain appears to be getting worse, spreading to other areas, or becomes more constant then it is worth getting medical attention sooner rather than later in case treatment is require for any underlying cause that could get worse if left unattended.

Improve the discomfort with stretches

Although you may need to seek out medical advice and treatment for some causes of sharp pains in the lower part of the back you will find that stretching the muscles can really help to ease the discomfort and pain. You can use a range of stretching exercises, which can help in a number of ways, including easing the strain on your muscles, helping to ease tension, loosening the muscles to increase flexibility, and increasing blood flow to the region. Daily simple but effective stretches can prove invaluable when it comes to easing the pain and discomfort for those that experience sharp lower back pain when bending over.

Lower Back Pain - Arthritis - Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Lower back pain commonly causes foot, heel and ankle pain from spinal nerve root irritation of the L5 and S1 nerve roots. However, the lower back pain may be minimal or absent at the time the foot, heel and ankle is most bothersome.

Therefore, if you have pain and discomfort with tingling/numbness also in the heel, the problem is not related to tarsal tunnel syndrome. Commonly, the diagnosis then will shift over to that of arthritis, heel spur or plantar fasciitis.

When the tibial nerve is irritated, there is pain and discomfort in the foot and ankle with numbness in the toes. There is also numbness in the sole of the foot but does not include the heel. Before invasive procedures such as surgeries are performed to the foot, heel and ankle region, a thorough neuromuscular examination needs to be performed.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is pressure and compression on the tibial nerve at the ankle giving rise to foot and ankle pain. There is a tunnel on the inner aspect of the ankle through which the tibial nerve passes, known as the tarsal tunnel. The tunnel runs between the lower end of the shin bone (tibia) on the inner aspect of the ankle and the heel bone. The tunnel is covered by a ligament known as the tarsal ligament which can press down on the tibial nerve. This is a condition similar to the carpal tunnel syndrome in the hand in which the median nerve is irritated or injured because of pressure by the wrist ligament.

Pain and discomfort related to L5 nerve root will be more distributed to the top of the foot and toes (toward the big toes side) whereas S1 nerve root irritation will be felt in the sole of the foot, side of the foot toward the little toe and heel. With S1 nerve root irritation leading to tightness and shortening of the buttock muscle (gluteus maximus) there can be further pressure on the sciatic nerve leading to symptoms of pain and discomfort in the foot.

To relieve pain and discomfort in the foot, motor point stimulation using eToims Twitch Relief method can be very easily applied to the spine muscles, and muscles such as the buttock muscles (gluteus maximus), muscles at the side of the hip muscle (gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata), muscles in the inner thigh (especially adductor magnus), muscles in the back of the thigh (hamstrings), muscles in the front of the thigh (quadriceps, especially rectus femoris), calf muscles (gastrosoleus) and muscles in the front and sides of the leg. The foot muscles usually will not need treatment but can be done.

If the muscles twitch well, pain relief can be immediate and substantial. However in chronic situations with chronic nerve root irritation, the muscles will not twitch well and without strong force twtiches, the results take loner to achieve. The more long standing your problems are and the number of complications you have had such as fractures and surgeries, the less will be your results. If you do get results from eToims, this type of patient will need repeated and ongoing treatments to maintain the gains made in pain relief and improvement in quality of life.