Lumbar radiculopathy is a medical condition that affects the lower back area, causing pain and discomfort. It happens when a nerve root in the lumbar spine gets compressed or inflamed, leading to sciatica-like symptoms such as sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs. Many factors can trigger lumbar radiculopathy, including poor posture, repetitive stress injuries, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disc disease. In this blog post, we will discuss what triggers lumbar radiculopathy and how to address it with the help of physiotherapists and chiropractors.
Poor posture: One of the most common triggers of lumbar radiculopathy is poor posture. When you sit or stand in a slouched position for long periods, your spine’s natural curvature gets altered, leading to increased pressure on the nerve roots. The best way to avoid this is by maintaining good posture while sitting or standing. A physiotherapist can help you with exercises that strengthen your core muscles and improve your alignment.
Repetitive stress injuries: Another cause of lumbar radiculopathy is repetitive stress injuries caused by overuse or improper use of certain muscles or joints. Examples include lifting heavy objects improperly, twisting motions during sports activities like golf or tennis or prolonged typing on a keyboard without proper ergonomic setup. A chiropractor can help you to identify any underlying issues with joint alignment or muscle tension that are contributing to repetitive strain injuries.
Herniated discs: Herniated discs occur when one of the discs between the vertebrae ruptures or bulges outwards into the spinal canal causing compression on nerves exiting from this area leading to symptoms of sciatica which may include pain radiating down one leg or both legs , numbness, tingling in the affected area. Chiropractors can help to realign the spine and reduce pressure on the discs, while physiotherapists can assist with exercises to strengthen the back muscles and promote healing.
Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is another trigger of lumbar radiculopathy, which happens when there is a narrowing of the spinal canal due to bone spurs or other abnormalities. This can cause nerve compression leading to symptoms like pain radiating down one leg or both legs, numbness or tingling sensations in the affected area. In this case, chiropractors may use gentle adjustments to reduce nerve pressure, while physiotherapists may recommend specific exercises aimed at increasing flexibility and reducing inflammation.
Degenerative disc disease: Finally, degenerative disc disease occurs when the intervertebral discs that cushion your spine begin to wear out over time leading to bone-on-bone contact which can compress nerves exiting from this area leading to lumbar radiculopathy symptoms like pain radiating down one leg or both legs, numbness or tingling sensations in the affected area. Treatment for this condition may involve a combination of chiropractic care and physiotherapy.
In conclusion, lumbar radiculopathy is a painful condition that can have various triggers such as poor posture, repetitive stress injuries, herniated discs spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. By working with a team of healthcare professionals such as a physiotherapist and chiropractor you can address these underlying issues and prevent further damage before it worsens. They will assess your needs based on your situation and design a treatment plan tailored specifically for you that includes exercises aimed at strengthening your core muscles while improving your overall alignment. There are also foods that you should avoid with lumbar radiculopathy.
Remember that early intervention is key when it comes to treating your symptoms so don’t hesitate to seek professional help in understanding the best treatment for lumbar radiculopathy.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Sakshi Rupani, BPT, PT, or another physiotherapy practitioner at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
