Many people have heard about McKenzie exercises for sciatica and low back pain. If you had been to the doctor or ER lower back pain and sciatica these exercises may help you.
What are McKenzie exercises?
Many times people have been recommended McKenzie exercises for lower back pain and sciatica. Often times they are either standing lumbar extensions or prone press ups. A common misconception is that these are the only exercises or stretches given to patients after a McKenzie evaluation. The McKenzie method by Robin McKenzie was based on a thorough history of patients problem when it started, how it began, positions or activities that make their condition worse or better followed by the clinical evaluation. A clinical evaluation is a systematic evaluation of the movements and positioning of the patient to determine if the movement or posture can reduce or eliminate their back pain or sciatica. Our goal after evaluation is to give you one exercise to be performed on your own. We're showing you the ones that are most commonly given out patients clinic.
Anatomy of the lower back structures
We discussed the anatomy of lower back or lumbar region and the various structures including the intervertebral bodies, lumbar disc segments, sciatic nerve, intervertebral foramen. We discussed how the the bundle of nerve roots off the lower lumbar spine that come togehter to make up the sciatic nerve. In addition, we discussed how lower back pain and sciatica are simply descriptive terms but don't tell us truly what structures are affected. In that region disc abnormalities, arthritis, disc degeneration, bone supurs, facet arthritis are thought to pinch structure in the lower back and along the sciatic nerve region causing pain,tingling, numbness, weakness, muscle spasms into the back and lower extremities.
Chapters
0:00 Start of Video
0:27 What is a McKenzie Exercise (or McKenzie Method)
1:24 Understanding what the diagnoses of Low Back Pain or Sciatica
2:23 Anatomy of Lumbar Spine
4:50 Are these exercises safe? Centralization and Peripheralization
7:13 Understanding "red flags" is critical to safety
8:39 Start of Exercises
How can be sure I'm doing them safely or they are appropriate for my sciatica and low back pain?
We instruct patients to follow the rules of Central versus Peripheralization when beginning these exercises. Centralization means pain moves up the extremity and toward the center of the spine which is where we feel it is originating from. Even if the pain becomes more intense, as long as it moves up the extremity and toward the center of the spine it is centralizing. Peripheralization means pain moves further away from the lumbar spine or down the lower extremity. In some cases the patients may have only leg pain and upon performing these stretches they may develop as the lower back that may not have been present initially. It is very common for patients to experience pain while performing these stretches and only if is worse upon completion do we know these stretches for the lower back are "good" or "bad" for your own sciatica and low back pain.
Understanding Red Flags
Before we you begin these exercises it is important that if you are experiencing "red flags" such as: progressive weakness in the lower extremities, changes in bowel and bladder, saddle anesthesia, balance problems, fever, sudden weight loss or recent trauma you may need to see a doctor prior to starting to ensure you don't have a more serious condition.
See video in links for title See your doctor NOW! (BACK PAIN). Understand red flags for lower back pain for a more detailed explanation.
• See your doctor NOW! (...
Here are the types of McKenzie exercises:
Standing Lumbar Extensions
Prone Prop with and without pillow support
Prone pressups with and without offset
Static props for time
All these exercises should be performed 10 times every two hours for about five sessions a day. After five days you should expect to see an improvement in your ability to move easier with less pain. If your condition is worsening you should stop doing these exercises immediately.
For a physical therapy consultation, wellness evaluation or hire Tom to speak at your next event email us at tomw@apexorthopedicnj.com
Check out our Free 12 Tips to Ease Back Pain by opening this link at hs232-d4cacd.pages.infusionso...
To you moving better! Have a great day!
Tom
DISCLAIMER: If you're experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling down into your arm or hand, or any of these exercises are making your condition worse I strongly encourage you to go get it checked out by a local doctor or physical therapist. The exercises I present in this video are very general and may of may not be indicated for your specific problem. You are encouraged to seek local help from a professional who can recommend treatment specific to your individual needs