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The fifth lumbar is the bottom-most vertebra in the spine and sits right on top of the sacrum. As the base of the spine it is subject to more stress than any other vertebra. It is also the most common site of disc herniation. The discs are the pads between the vertebrae that serve as shock absorbers and allow for flexible movement of the spine. The fibers of the disc can tear because of injuries, poor spinal alignment or poor nutritional health. This can cause a bulge in the disc which can press against the spinal nerves.
One aspect of spinal subluxation is joint fixation. When a vertebra is not aligned properly its mobility is impaired and it becomes stuck. This places imbalanced stress on the discs, allowing them to break down. Imagine driving with the tires on your car out of alignment. They will certainly wear down very quickly. The same goes for your spine. Disc herniation is very common and can be complete painless or completely debilitating. Not every disc herniation is treatable by chiropractic and some spinal conditions need surgery. However, this is the minority and it is well worth seeking chiropractic care for a short time before opting for surgery. Even if you don't have pain, you should have your spine checked regularly to avoid this kind of silent breakdown that most people think is just "getting old." Regular chiropractic care can literally slow down the hands of time. Structural The discs of the spine each contain a gelatinous nucleus that is 80% water. This disc can bulge when this nucleus shifts when the spine is misaligned. Specific chiropractic adjustments are often the best immediate relief for lumbar disc problems and sciatica. We also use McKenzie exercises which emphasize lumbar extension movements. When there is a disc problem in the lower spine there is almost always misalignment of the sacroiliac joints that must be addressed as well. This often creates stress on the lower spinal discs as well as tension across the deep buttock muscles that can also press on the sciatic nerve. For this, piriformis stretches are almost always advisable. Good lumbar support for the car is also important if you drive a lot. Nutritional
Emotional The lower back is a very common area for emotional tension. People who are striving and "over-achieving" often have a lower back pain associated with the adrenal fatigue that they incur as a result of their chronic stress.
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