So after trying everything – doctors, chiropractors, physical therapy, OTC painkillers, prescription painkillers (Vioxx), spine surgeons (but not surgery thank goodness), yoga, and pilates – I knew that my pain would come and go, but I didn’t know why. So I decided to start keeping a pain journal to help me figure out what activities were causing the pain.
You can hear about some of my pain journal findings in our bonus audio course, Sciatica Pain Tips & Strategies. Because everyone has a slightly different cause of their pain, it might help if you start keeping your own. Find out what activities cause more pain, which ones don’t cause any, and which ones are questionable.
I discovered that sleeping on soft mattresses made my lower back tight. I found out that shoes with heels (i.e. work shoes or Nike Shox) made my pain worse. I also found out certain activities didn’t cause pain – sand volleyball, freestyle swimming – but others did – breaststroke swimming, tennis. Walking didn’t hurt, but running did. Of course this was before I created the 10-Minute Sciatica Program, where I’ve now been able to return to most activities.
But give the pain journal a try. See if it helps you learn more about your pain and what’s causing it. It did for me.
- Bryan
Founder of the Back in Action Institute and 10-Minute Sciatica Relief Program
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