Question
Hi,
I developed back pain in the sacral area when I was about 16 years old (I am 26 now). Over the years, it has gradually been getting worse. If I do a lot of lifting I will have really bad pain in that area which sometimes radiates down the leg. Also, it is impossible for me to lie on my back on a flat surface, it is so painful that I struggle to get up again.
For years it's also seemed like my spine has been bulging out in that area, I thought maybe it was just normal for me ... However, I recently fell backwards when I was playing hockey and I landed on my lower back. I used voltaren gel for a few days, and I noticed after a couple of days that the bulge was gone... so I am guessing it is some kind of swelling due to inflammation. Once I stopped using the voltaren gel after about a week of using it, the swelling gradually came back again.  What could be causing this chronic inflammation? Should I be concerned?
I am only just over 100 lbs, so I think the only strain I am putting on my back is some lifting at work. But I've had this problem for 10 years now, and I know it's not been caused by an injury.

Answer

Star Somatics  

Hanna Somatic Educatio   Hi, Mari,

I've addressed the symptoms you've named in various (relatively short) writings, which also give a course of action.

Please see below.
http://somatics.com/back_pain.htm (back pain)
http://somatics.com/recovery_from_injury.htm (consequences of your fall)
http://somatics.com/back_pain_terms (disc bulge)
http://somatics.com/sciaticasymptoms-piriformissyndrome.htm (pain down your leg)

Pain at the back of the sacrum commonly comes from heightened tension of the low back muscles, combined with a tight floor of the pelvis. Relief comes when you are taught to relax those muscles.  People get tight from long-term stress, repetitive use patterns, and/or injuries (as explained in the "recovery from injuries" article).

Where you've swollen, it's not inflammation; it's muscles in contraction in a state of fatigue.

There are movements you can do to retrain your muscles, so they stay relaxed.  The articles point to where to find them.

If you want a recommendation, ask.