Back Pain While Coughing or Sneezing

May flowers have been blooming here in Northern Kentucky for a few weeks, but those beautiful colors have also brought about an increased pollen count. For those that suffer from allergies it can be a frustrating time as you try and enjoy the warm weather only to be afflicted with fits of sneezing and sometimes one can discover a hidden spasm of back pain when you sneeze.

A shooting pain when one coughs or sneezes may be an indication of nerve root pressure. The pain is usually sharp and burning and is made worse by sneezing and coughing. The added pressure on the nerve roots can cause nerve pain. Often this pain is described as a shooting pain that can radiate down into the legs.

Depending on the cause of your low back pain, symptoms may be better or worse in various positions, such as bending forward or backwards. If bending forward increases symptoms, walking, lying down, and movements that straighten the spine usually relieve symptoms. The opposite is also true: if your symptoms are worse when you stand or walk, they are usually relieved by sitting down or lying down on your back with your knees bent, and by gentle exercises to bend your spine forward.

If you are experiencing a shooting pain when you cough or sneeze, especially if it is traveling down to your legs, we would encourage you to call our office at (859) 331-9566. www.nkychiropractor.com

Interesting Info... Funny Bone is not Actually a Bone

Your funny bone is not actually a bone. It's actually a really sensitive nerve. And hitting that nerve isn't funny at all!

The ulnar nerve (scientific name for "funny bone") is a huge nerve that extends from your elbow to your hand. It lies directly under the skin on your arm. Usually nerves like that are protected under muscles. The ulnar nerve isn't protected near the elbow. There's only a thin layer of skin there to shield it from pain.

So why is it the funny bone, if it's clearly not funny at all? One theory is that since the bone that extends from the elbow to the shoulder is called the humerus, the name "funny bone" was used as a bad joke. More likely, though, the "funny" in "funny bone" just means odd. As in, it's really odd that one little nerve can hurt so bad.

Quote:

“An Active Mind Cannot Exist in an Inactive Body” ~General George S. Patton

Tips for Reducing Back Pain Caused by Driving

After hours of driving, even minor back pain can become unbearable. One way to ease some of the pain is to make frequent stops, stepping out of the car, and placing your hands on your hips and leaning backwards. Occasionally, however, this may not be enough to chase away the pain from driving.

Here are a few tips for reducing back pain that is caused by driving for a long period of time:

•Stretch out slowly in the morning. Avoid vigorous exercise because it is at this time that discs are most filled with fluid and especially prone to injury.

•If you are headed out the door for your commute, put your wallet in your breast pocket. The bulk of a wallet can press on the sciatic nerve when you sit and drive.

•If you use your mobile phone in the car, remember to use your wireless headset, don’t cradle the phone on your neck while you drive as it can increase your buildup of back and neck strain. Also, if your seat is too soft it could be adding more stress to your back.

•While you are driving, learn to recognize tension. Put on relaxing music. Try reducing muscle tension by stretching one leg and arm at a time.

•Park your car the farthest possible distance from where you work. The walk will do you and your back good, and it may be the only exercise you’ll grab before you begin the commute home again.

If you don’t have the benefit of a seat with lumbar support try these tips to help reduce the amount of stress on your lower back.

•Insert a small, rolled towel against the base of your spine. The towel should be placed at or slightly below the belt line. This will place the lumbar spine into a neutral position.

•Adjust the angle of your hips relative to your knees. Anytime you are in a sitting position and your knees are higher than your hips, your back will flex into a forward-bent position. A simple way to adjust your position is to place one or two folded towels underneath your buttocks, bringing your hips in line with your knees. It may feel awkward at first as you are higher in the seat, but it will also prevent you from having pain.

Portions of these tips were taken from Medical News Today and Zero Pain.