Sacrum Pain & Low Back Pain Sacrum Pain can be characterized as aching or sharp pain, usually a pain in the low back, or a pain in the butt. 
Cases of low back pain, including sacrum pain has increased over the past decade, due to the postural patterns from the modern workforce. Never before have so many people been sitting for so long, working in front of computers! Sitting (or standing) for long periods can create tension patterns inherent in low back problems, because of the shortening of the hamstrings, hip flexors, and other muscles attached to the pelvis and low back. Our bodies were truly not meant to sit for long periods of time. In fact, our bodies work best when we don't stay still for long periods at all! Our muscles are made to move, stretch and contract through full ranges of motion. So, when we are still for long periods of time on the computer, or any other holding pattern, the muscles involved in the holding pattern continue to contract even when you don't need them to anymore. When they hold for long periods of time, they get tighter and tighter, until the pressure on the nerve running through the muscle eventually creates a pain sensation. This will frequently become a chronic pain pattern, because the muscle has become tight over time and might need a little help in letting go...through massage, stretching or some other form of exercise or strengthening of the surrounding muscles. Since we often have people ask us for suggestions about products and exercises they could use at home to help with sacrum pain, we highlight items which are inexpensive and can make a difference. 
***We had to remove some of our product links, but will replace them as soon as we can...we are sorry for any inconvenience!!****The Miracle Ball set below is a fabulous product we suggest for clients who feel like the stretches are helpful, but they want another way to massage the muscles as well. A foam roller works for this purpose (massage and connective tissue release) as well, but is a bit more rigid. We always have a soft gel ice pack, like the one below, in our freezer. It's helpful for decreasing inflammation in injuries. Please remember with ice, though, that 15-20 minutes is what is recommended for the most benefit. If you leave it on for longer than that, your body will 'send' more blood there to *increase* the temperature to avoid hypothermia in the tissue. This can possibly increase inflammation. You will also want to remember that ice helps to send the blood away from the region, then part of the benefit, is that the secondary flush of fresh blood to the area brings new nutrients and increases pliability in the tissue. Although ice doesn't 'feel good' to most people-most of us don't like to be cold- the after effect is helpful for most sore areas. Pay attention if you are using heat already for an injury...it may feel good while it's on, but if it's throbbing or more sore 45-75 minutes AFTER you apply heat, that may be a sign of increasing inflammation in the area (this can be common if it's over a joint). The lumbar support helps the muscles in the low back from becoming fatigued during long periods of sitting, but will not keep the muscles in the upper leg or hips from shortening. Right-Click here to download the GTS Massage Stretches for Low Back PDF file. (or just click to view in another window.) If you were to look at a muscle chart, you would see there are many muscles which attach to different parts of the pelvis and lumbar spine, which can strain the way the others contract. Primary muscles we address (massage/stretch) if a client is experiencing sacrum pain or gluteus maximus pain are: hamstrings, hip flexors, glutes, IT band, abdominal and low back muscles.
Chronic Pain
|
