Multiple sclerosis and sciatica can exist side by side or have overlapping symptoms. The sciatic nerve begins at the lower back, then through the hips into the buttocks, and separates into both legs into the feet. Sciatica is a type of pain caused by a compressed/pinched or damaged/injured sciatic nerve. The sensation radiates across the nerve with frequency and severity at varying levels, depending on the individual’s body position and/or movement. Individuals with multiple sclerosis can also experience sciatica, believing it’s their multiple sclerosis. Neuropathic pain is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis or MS. It is caused by injury or damage to the nerves of the central nervous system and can cause burning, or sharp, stabbing sensations.
Multiple Sclerosis and Sciatic Nerve Pain Difference
MS is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the protective layer around nerve fibers known as myelin. This affects the central nervous system pathways that regulate feeling and sensation in the body. It can cause painful sensations that include:
Muscle spasms
Burning, tingling, or aching in the lower legs
Electrical shock-like sensations travel from the back toward the legs.
Migraines
The painful sensations result from the damaged nerve fibers creating interference in the brain’s neural pathways.
Sciatica works differently
An autoimmune response does not damage the sciatic nerve’s pathway, but an added stress/pressure compresses the sciatic nerve. The pain is usually caused by a quick, jerking, twisting, bending, reaching motion that pinches or twists the nerve. Herniated discs and bone spurs are another common cause, along with being overweight can place intense pressure on the sciatic nerve. The critical difference is that multiple sclerosis causes the central nervous system’s signaling pathways to malfunction.
MS and Sciatica
Most individuals, around 40%, will at some point experience some form of sciatica symptoms. This is from age, and all the wear and tear the low back goes through daily. This is why it’s not unusual for individuals with MS to experience sciatica as well. MS can cause body changes that affect activity levels.
Decreased mobility can lead to sitting for extended periods that can strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, causing sciatica.
There is evidence that the lesions that present from MS can extend to the sciatic nerve.
One study compared 36 individuals with MS to 35 individuals that don’t have it.
The research found that those with MS had slightly more lesions on the sciatic nerve than those without MS.
Sciatica Care
It can be challenging to figure out the types of pain being experienced. Sciatica travels down the length of the nerve uniquely and is often felt in only one leg. The pain, tingling, numbness, electrical sensations can present only in the lower back, the buttock, the back of the leg, hamstring, calf, and foot, or in a combination of all the areas. Treatments for sciatica depend on the severity. They include:
Medications – anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants, and antiseizure medications.
Steroid injections – corticosteroids
Surgery is a last resort reserved for severe cases that did not improve with other treatments and therapies.
It can be easy to mistake sciatica as a symptom or related condition of multiple sclerosis. Chiropractic can help alleviate sciatica, and although treatment cannot directly treat MS or its symptoms, it can relieve pain and discomfort.
Body Composition
Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy or diabetic kidney disease is the result of mismanaged diabetes. Kidney failure is a severe medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated. Chronic low kidney function results in:
Fluid retention in the body.
Inability to filter out metabolites and waste from the blood.
Increased risk of infections.
Common symptoms of diabetic kidney disease include:
Increased blood pressure
This is the result of increased stress on the body.
The kidneys can no longer filter out all the metabolites and excess fluid needed to stabilize the blood pressure.
Chronic kidney damage results in the protein being excreted through urine.
Fatigue
Poor kidney function affects every organ in the body.
The organs have to work harder to compensate, leading to fatigue and low energy.
Lower extremity edema
Fluid retention usually presents in the lower extremities.
Puffy, swollen ankles and legs may appear shiny or waxy.
This is common in individuals that have severe diabetic nephropathy.
Shortness of breath
As the fluid builds up in the body, additional weight can get stored on and around the lungs.
This can make breathing very difficult when lying down or when engaged in physical activity.
Impaired cognition
Metabolites in the blood can cause brain damage when not filtered properly.
Memory loss
Mood changes
Loss of consciousness
References
Jende JME, et al. (2017). Peripheral nerve involvement in multiple sclerosis: Demonstration by magnetic resonance neurography. DOI:
10.1002/ana.25068
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Sciatica.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
Murphy KL, et al. (2017). Chapter 4: Neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis—current therapeutic intervention and future treatment perspectives.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470151/
Pain and itching. (n.d.).
nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms/Pain
Samson K. (2017). In the pipeline-multiple sclerosis neurography, MRI reveals peripheral nerve lesions in MS patients. DOI:
10.1097/01.NT.0000527861.27137.b0
Sciatica: Of all the nerves. (2016).
health.harvard.edu/pain/sciatica-of-all-the-nerve
There are various causes for achiness or soreness under the shoulder blades. The shoulder blade is the triangular bone that forms the back of the shoulder. This pain can range from dull, sharp, burning, or a combination between the spine and shoulder blade to tender or achy across the shoulder or upper back. Pain can spread from another body part or structure, like the neck or spine. Inflammation from injury or overuse is noticeable at onset or gradually after engaging in physical activity and can limit arm movements and interfere with regular activities.
Improper Posture
Improper poster combined with prolonged sitting can cause the spine to develop structural changes that cause pain under the shoulder blade. Habits that lead to poor posture include:
Hunching the back.
Tilting the head down – looking at the phone.
Leaning to one side while sitting, working.
Poor posture habits cause the muscles to weaken, placing added pressure on the spinal discs, muscles, and ligaments. This body imbalance can contribute to upper back and shoulder pain.
Lifting Improperly
Lifting weight above the head and not using the proper technique can leave the upper back and shoulders vulnerable to injury. Lifting an object that is too heavy or is held in an awkward way causing the spine to be misaligned creates added pressure in the upper back. This can strain the muscles, sprain ligaments, injure the shoulder joint, or spine, which can cause spreading pain under and/or near the shoulder blade.
Repetitive Overuse Injury
Painting, moving furniture, or participating in sports are activities that can overwork the upper back muscles and shoulders. Overuse can lead to muscle strains and ligament sprains. This can cause pain in the upper back between the shoulder blade and the spine. Scapulothoracic bursitis, also known as snapping scapula syndrome, is when the bursa between the shoulder blade/scapula and the thoracic spine becomes inflamed, causing pain.
Cervical Herniated Disc
A herniated disc in the cervical spine/neck happens when a disc’s outer layer/annulus fibrosus tears and the inner layer/nucleus pulposus starts to leak outward. This can cause pain and cause the nearby nerve roots to become inflamed, causing pain to run down into the shoulder, arm, and/or hand. A disc herniation in the lower part of the neck usually radiates pain into or near the shoulder blade area. Although less common, a herniation in the upper back can cause pain around or near the shoulder blade.
Dislocated Rib
An accident or fall could cause a rib to become dislocated or misaligned after repetitive/overuse strain or reaching too far overhead. Sharp pain near the shoulder blade can result from this activity and can sometimes make it challenging to take a deep breath.
Compression Fracture
A compression fracture occurs when a vertebral bone in the upper back weakens and compresses. This can lead to back pain with a heightened sensitivity across the shoulder area. The pain usually decreases with rest. Compression fractures are commonly caused by osteoporosis in older individuals. Any back or shoulder pain that persists for weeks or interferes with regular activities should be evaluated by a doctor or chiropractor. If the pain is severe or accompanied by symptoms like headache, tingling, weakness, or nausea, individuals are recommended to seek medical attention.
Body Composition
Carbohydrate/Carb Loading
Carbohydrates are macronutrients that serve a critical function in the body, as they are the body’s primary energy source. The body breaks down carbohydrates into sugar that enters the bloodstream and is stored for energy use in the muscles and liver as glycogen. The muscles only store small quantities of glycogen. And when engaging in physical activity or exercise, the energy stores get used up.
Carbohydrate loading can raise glycogen stores in the muscles from 25 to 100 percent of their average amount in men. Women have shown mixed results in studies on carbohydrate loading. Women need to take in more calories than men when carb-loading to experience the same gains in glycogen. Reasons to carb load are either to:
Build-up stores of glycogen so an individual can use the extra energy storage to help improve endurance.
Fill the muscles with glycogen to bring water into the muscles to help gain mass and tone.
References
Hanchard, Nigel C A et al. “Physical tests for shoulder impingements and local lesions of bursa, tendon or labrum that may accompany impingement.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 2013,4 CD007427. 30 Apr. 2013, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007427.pub2
Mizutamari M. et al. Corresponding scapular pain with the nerve root involved in cervical radiculopathy. J Orthop Surg. 2010; 18(3): 356–60.
Sergienko, Stanislav, and Leonid Kalichman. “Myofascial origin of shoulder pain: a literature review.” Journal of bodywork and movement therapies vol. 19,1 (2015): 91-101. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.05.004
Compartment syndrome is a condition that causes pressure within a group of muscles to build up to dangerous levels. This pressure build-up begins to decrease blood flow, not allowing proper circulation, nutrients, and oxygen from getting to the nerves and muscle cells. The syndrome can be acute or chronic, and surgery can be required. Acute compartment syndrome is considered a medical emergency, usually caused by a severe injury and requires immediate treatment; otherwise, it can lead to permanent muscle damage. Chronic compartment syndrome or exertional compartment syndrome is usually not a medical emergency and is often caused by physical exertion.
The fascia does not stretch or expand because its job is to keep the tissues in place. If compartmental pressure builds up, swelling and bleeding may occur. When the tissues don’t have enough blood to provide the proper amount of oxygen and nutrients, the tissues begin to die, leading to permanent damage. Because the fascia does not stretch if there is swelling or bleeding within a compartment, this increases pressure on the:
Capillaries
Nerves
Muscles in that compartment.
Blood circulation does not reach the compartment to supply oxygen and nutrients.
Nerve and muscle cells get damaged.
Compartment syndrome most often takes place in the lower leg’s anterior/front calf compartment.
However, it can also develop in other areas like the:
Legs
Arms
Hands
Feet
Buttocks
Acute
The typical symptom is pain, specifically when the muscle in the compartment is stretched.
The pain is more intense than the injury itself.
Flexing, contracting, or stretching the muscles increases the pain.
Tingling or burning sensations may present.
Muscle tightness or fullness sensation like bloating.
Numbness or paralysis are late symptoms that usually indicate severe to permanent tissue injury.
The acute syndrome develops after a severe injury, like an automobile accident or from a broken bone. Injuries and conditions that can cause acute compartment syndrome include:
Fractures
Muscle contusion/bruise that goes beyond just a bump. Two examples include a motorcycle falling on the rider’s leg or a football player getting hit in the leg intensely.
Constricting bandages – Casts and bandages that are too tight can cause the blockage of blood. If symptoms develop, remove or loosen any constricting bandages. If it is from a cast, contact the doctor immediately.
Anabolic steroids – Taking steroids is a possible factor in compartment syndrome.
Blood circulation restoration after a blockage.
When sleeping, a blood vessel can get blocked. Lying for a long time in a position that causes a limb to go to sleep, then shifting, moving, or getting up can contribute to the condition. This type of development can happen in individuals with neurological damage or who do not realize what is occurring. This can happen after intense intoxication with alcohol and/or drugs.
Surgical repair of a damaged blood vessel that was blocked can result in compartment swelling.
Permanent disability and tissue death can result unless the pressure is relieved.
Chronic Physical Exertion
The pain and swelling from the chronic condition are caused by vigorous physical activity/exercise. It most often occurs in the leg. Individuals that participate in activities with repetitive motions have an increased risk. Physical activities/sports include:
Running
Biking
Swimming
This is usually not dangerous and is often relieved by discontinuing the specific exercise/s or physical activity for a while. Symptoms include:
Pain during exercise.
Cramping during exercise.
Numbness
Moving the foot is difficult.
Muscle bulge can be seen.
Chiropractic Treatment
Leg pain should not be ignored for long as the problems could escalate into severe/dangerous territory. Chiropractic treatment is highly effective in the detection and treatment of leg pain. Chiropractors are experts in the neuromusculoskeletal system. Their expertise in promoting physical function applies to the whole body’s systems, including the:
Muscles
Bones
Ligaments
Nerves
Tendons
They are trained to diagnose and treat developing and chronic musculoskeletal problems and know when to seek specialized medical care when necessary.
Body Composition
Can’t Individuals Just Exercise More and Eat Whatever They Want?
No individuals cannot just exercise/move more and eat whatever they want if they are serious about losing excess weight. A healthy diet and exercise are essential parts of the formula for effective weight loss. One study shows that being aware of diet in quality and quantity overtakes just exercising when achieving and maintaining healthy body composition changes as a vital part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Evaluating the effects of diet, exercise, or a combination of both revealed that long-term success was most significant in the mix of diet and exercise. Individuals can exercise vigorously, but losing weight can be very difficult if they have unhealthy eating habits or cannot stick to a healthy diet. The individual can develop other health problems from an unhealthy diet.
References
Braver, Richard T. “Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome.” Clinics in podiatric medicine and surgery vol. 33,2 (2016): 219-33. doi:10.1016/j.cpm.2015.12.002
Joubert, Sonia V, and Manuel A Duarte. “Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome in a Healthy Young Man.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 15,2 (2016): 139-44. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2016.04.007
Schmidt, Andrew H. “Acute compartment syndrome.” Injury vol. 48 Suppl 1 (2017): S22-S25. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2017.04.024
Vajapey, Sravya, and Timothy L Miller. “Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic exertional compartment syndrome: a review of current literature.” The Physician and sportsmedicine vol. 45,4 (2017): 391-398. doi:10.1080/00913847.2017.1384289
Common Types of vehicle/automobile crashes and accidents. Most accidents and crashes are caused by driving errors, recklessness, distraction, or disregard of traffic laws. Some accidents are caused by safety system failure or defective parts on the vehicle. Individuals can suffer severe and/or permanent injuries, even death.
Types of Accident/Crashes
Single Vehicle Accident
This type of road, highway traffic accident where only one vehicle is involved. Most of these types of crashes are:
Run-off-road collisions
Collisions with fallen debris
Rollovers
Collisions with animals
Side Impact/T-bone Collision
These accidents, also known as broadside or T-bone collisions, impact the side of one or more vehicles. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, these crashes and accidents often happen at:
Busy intersections
Parking lots
When a vehicle runs a red light, and a driver that has the green light gets slammed.
These types of collisions account for a quarter of passenger vehicle occupant deaths.
Injuries from a side-impact collision can be severe but vary depending on where the vehicle was struck.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions account for around a fourth of all collisions. These accidents and crashes happen because of:
Driver inattention
Distraction – Driver distraction has become a common factor in many rear-end crashes.
Tailgating – When a driver tailgates, they reduce the reaction time to come to a safe stop.
Panic stops
Reduced wheel traction because of damaged roads/highways or dangerous road conditions caused by weather.
Head-on Collision
Head-on collisions are often fatal road and highway accidents and crashes. This can be caused by drivers not seeing or paying attention to:
Wrong-way signs
New construction
Construction detour directions
Street conditions
Staying in the proper lane
Impaired driving and going the wrong way have become common factors in head-on collisions.
Vehicle Rollover
These types of accidents and crashes can be complex and violent. Rollovers happen from:
Drivers speeding, making sharp turns, cutting across lanes to exit
Road conditions
Construction
Vehicle dysfunctions like an accelerator that gets stuck, loss of brakes,
Weather and environmental factors
Impaired driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA, research shows that around 85% of rollover-related fatalities result from a single-vehicle accident or crash.
When involved in a car crash or accident, the force of the collision can shift the spine and body’s joints out of alignment causing all types of injuries. Adjustments and realignment can help alleviate the pain and help heal the injury/s. Chiropractic treatment following a crash or accident is an important step that can benefit the body’s health.
Body Composition
Benefits of Dairy Intake
Packed Nutrient Profile
Dairy foods have an impressive nutrition label, and dairy is considered a healthy source of many essential nutrients.
A cup of cow’s milk provides close to 8 grams of protein. This exceeds the protein content of most non-dairy milk alternatives.
A glass of milk has seven of the eight nutrients considered essential for bone maintenance. This includes:
Protein
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Zinc
Vitamin K
Studies have found that milk and dairy intake increases bone formation and bone mineral content during childhood and adolescence.
This means that the bones are stronger and are at less risk of fractures.
References
Christ, Daniel. “Simulating the relative influence of tire, vehicle and driver factors on forward collision accident rates.” Journal of safety research vol. 73 (2020): 253-262. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2020.03.009
Texas DOT: 2017 Crash Statistics
Texas DOT: Total and DUI Fatal and Injury Crashes Comparison
Thorning, Tanja Kongerslev et al. “Milk and dairy products: good or bad for human health? An assessment of the totality of scientific evidence.” Food & nutrition research vol. 60 32527. 22 Nov. 2016, doi:10.3402/fnr.v60.32527
Managing rheumatoid arthritis is an ongoing balancing act. Flare-ups can still present despite following the rheumatologist’s lifestyle instructions, proper medication use, and a well-maintained RA plan. Monitoring daily activities can help minimize the chances of experiencing episodes.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare-Ups
A rheumatoid arthritis flare-up is a short-term escalation of arthritis symptoms. A flare-up can go away within a day or can persist for several weeks or months. A flare-up usually involves joint stiffness and pain but can also present as any symptoms worsening. If the flare-up is severe, it can affect the ability to perform regular everyday activities.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary, and not every person experiences the same. Most individuals describe flare-ups with a sudden increase in:
Pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Limited joint mobility
Fatigue
Symptoms that feel like the flu.
Frequency and severity can also vary.
Back Pain Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many joints. It is the inflammation of a joint’s synovial membrane. These include the facet joints in the spine. The most commonplace in the spine affected by rheumatoid arthritis is the upper neck, around the base of the skull. The joints at the top of the neck get inflamed and can become unstable or form abnormal tissue that sticks out and compress the spinal cord.
Triggers
Several potential flare-up triggers include:
Stress
Not getting enough sleep
Medication changes
Injury
Excessive physical activity and/or exercise
Repetitive overuse injury
Smoking
Spinal infections
Airborne toxins can also be a trigger to a flare-up. Substances include chemicals like household cleaners. Switching to organic and environmentally safe cleaners can help. Airborne toxins are a concern in densely populated cities and areas that experience air pollution and smog. To minimize risks, staying indoors during times of poor air quality is recommended.
However, flare-ups can happen without an identifiable trigger. Certain foods can increase inflammation and could contribute to a flare-up, including:
Avoiding these foods and following a diet that has been developed to prevent symptoms will help significantly. The objective is to learn to identify an RA flare-up to moderate activities accordingly.
Prevention
Managing any chronic medical condition is challenging, especially when trying to predict when a flare-up will happen. There is not a foolproof strategy for prevention, but advice that can help minimize the risks of an RA flare-up.
Understand that the disease can change over time. This means changes in medications and the need for multi-approach treatment. Learning healthy self-care techniques will go a long way in managing symptoms.
Body Composition
Antioxidants protection
Metabolic processes, like energy production, and environmental pollution, can result in free radical production. These are highly reactive molecules that can damage the body’s cells and lead to oxidative stress. This can develop into a disease, including heart disease. The body has natural protective mechanisms to neutralize free radical molecules, including glutathione, which is the body’s top antioxidant. If glutathione becomes depleted because of increased free radicals, the body switches to dietary antioxidants from food as a secondary defense.
Pham-Huy, Lien Ai et al. “Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health.” International Journal of biomedical science: IJBS vol. 4,2 (2008): 89-96.
Chiropractic treatment/care is a recommended pain relief option for musculoskeletal automobile, sports, personal – injuries, strains, sprains, pain, and rehabilitation. An initial chiropractic examination is similar to a standard examination administered by health care providers. What an individual can expect at their first consultation includes:
Some chiropractors offer individuals an initial interview over a video conference and/or phone call. It is focused on discussion with topics like the chiropractors:
The initial in-office clinical exam generally includes:
Patient History and Symptoms
The patient will be asked to fill out forms that can also be filled out online before the visit, saving a patient time if they so choose. This provides background information about symptoms and conditions in preparation for the in-person chiropractic consultation. Questions include:
Did the pain start as a result of an auto, sports, personal, work injury?
How did the pain start – activities, sports, work, etc.?
When did the pain start – a few days, weeks, months, years?
Where is the pain located?
Does the pain spread out to other areas?
Is the pain dull, sharp, burning, or throbbing?
Does the pain come and go, or is it constant?
What activities or body positions make it better and/or worse?
Patients are also asked to provide information on pre-existing medical conditions, family medical history if necessary, prior injuries, and previous and current treatments provided by other medical professionals.
Physical Examination
A chiropractic examination includes:
Reflexes
Respiration
Blood pressure
Pulse
Certain orthopedic and neurological tests can also be used. These include:
Range of motion
Neurological integrity
Muscle strength
Muscle tone
Walking gait
Posture analysis
Diagnostic Studies
Based on the medical history and physical exam results, diagnostic studies could help reveal pathologies and identify structural abnormalities to diagnose more accurately. X-rays are the most commonly used during an initial chiropractic exam and are used to:
Diagnose recent trauma
Diagnose bone fractures
Study spinal deformities
An MRI scan is recommended for soft tissue damage like a herniated disc, torn muscle/s, or nerve compression.
Patient Diagnosis after the Chiropractic Exam
All the findings from the medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests help the chiropractor form a diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is established, the chiropractor will discuss personalized treatment options.
Body Composition
Heart Disease
Many factors can contribute to heart disease, and research has pointed to inflammation caused by obesity as one of the most significant factors to its development. The main contributor is cytokines produced by excess body fat. Cytokinescause inflammation in the walls of the arteries causing damage and increasing pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the vessels. High blood pressure means that the heart is not pumping blood effectively, and the heart begins to enlarge. An enlarged heart is a significant risk factor that can lead to heart failure if interventions are not taken to repair the damage.
References
Jenkins HJ, Downie AS, French SD. Current evidence for spinal x-ray use in the chiropractic profession. Chiropr Man Therap. 2018; 26:48.
Wang, Zhaoxia, and Tomohiro Nakayama. “Inflammation, a link between obesity and cardiovascular disease.” Mediators of inflammation vol. 2010 (2010): 535918. doi:10.1155/2010/535918
Weeks, William B et al. “Public Perceptions of Doctors of Chiropractic: Results of a National Survey and Examination of Variation According to Respondents’ Likelihood to Use Chiropractic, Experience With Chiropractic, and Chiropractic Supply in Local Health Care Markets.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 38,8 (2015): 533-44. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2015.08.001
Going camping for an extended weekend can be exciting and fearful for individuals with back pain. Being in nature is exhilarating, setting up tents with the family, fishing, and hitting the backpacking trails. For those that struggle with back and/or neck pain or conditions that cause pain, the objective is to be prepared for the worst. The weather, steep hills, physical activities, sitting in chairs that are not spine supportive, and sleeping on hard ground can contribute to all kinds of back issues. There are adjustments and modifications, as well as, tools to help the experience remain pain-free and be highly enjoyable.
Camping Back Pain
Not everyone with back pain or conditions that cause pain will struggle with camping out. There are individuals that prefer an ultra-firm sleeping surface like the ground as it provides their spine with the necessary support. Research has found that medium to fully firm mattresses and surfaces are the least to cause back pain. Many individuals go mattress-free a few nights a week and report that it helps reduce their pain.
Mattresses that are too soft sink in too much, provide no support to the spine that leads to spinal problems and more aches, and pains.
Sciatica from pinched nerves can become irritated or flare up when sleeping on the ground.
Individuals with arthritis in the spinal joints can present with stiffness and more pain.
Carrying and moving heavy equipment
Hiking
Backpacking with heavy bags
Setting up tents
Repeatedly bending over
Using traditional camping chairs can position the spine at unnatural angles and can aggravate certain spinal conditions.
Modifications and Adjustments
As with most physical activities for individuals with back pain, it’s all about preparation and modification. Here are a few ways to adjust the camping trip to prevent and avoid back pain:
Utilize as much mobile/rolling camping gear and ask for help when moving, lifting heavy equipment.
Use hiking polesfor support and avoid carrying backpacks or bags, as they add strain to the spine.
There are quality air mattresses and sleeping pads designed for pain symptoms and conditions.
Do a little research and see what options are available. Overall, aim for equipment that is sturdy and supportive. Listen to your body, follow a doctor or chiropractor’s advice, and enjoy nature.
Body Composition
Food Journaling
Individuals can keep track of their food choices by logging their food intake into a personal food journal. This is where food choices and calorie intake can be examined, analyzed, and learned from. A study showed that individuals who diligently track their food and calorie intake had a greater amount of weight loss. For those that want to lose body fat, the body needs to be in a caloric deficit. After a week of logging meals, snacks, and drinks, an individual is in a better position to correct and adjust a weight loss plan. For example, journaling helps with:
Most comfortable sleeping: Sleep Health. (December 2015) “Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; a systematic review of controlled trials.” www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721815001400
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