Article Rundown

• Answering your questions LIVE!
• What is nerve flossing and what does it do?
• Is anterior pelvic tilt bad?
• Athletes in-season with back pain?
• How to get your questions answered!

Answering Your Questions!

In this blog post, I’ll be addressing some of the key questions I received during my recent livestream Q&A on November 1st. For those interested in more detailed responses, you can watch the full livestream [HERE]. Additionally, I host weekly livestreams on YouTube every Friday, where I answer questions from my audience. If you’d like to submit a question for my next livestream, please visit my YouTube community posts [HERE] and leave your question in the comments of the relevant post.

Question 1

The first question I tackled during the livestream was: “What does nerve flossing do, and how do you know if it’s actually helping your back pain?” To provide a proper answer, an assessment with a professional is essential. Nerve flossing isn’t suitable for everyone and will depend on the stage of recovery and the nature of the pain. For some individuals, it can be a game-changer, while for others, it may exacerbate the issue by aggravating the pain.

When dealing with lower back pain, it’s crucial to identify the root cause and determine what alleviates the discomfort. This allows us to decide if nerve flossing is a helpful tool in your recovery or if it should be avoided. Additionally, reviewing your MRI to understand which nerves are affected will help in determining whether nerve flossing is appropriate for your condition.

Nerve flossing is particularly useful for individuals who have a disc bulge or disc material pressing on a nerve in the spinal canal. The technique involves creating movement along the nerve to help free up space and reduce symptoms when done correctly. By moving your head and leg in certain directions, you can create tension on the nerve, which may help alleviate pressure on it.

For more information on how nerve flossing works, I recommend reading Back Mechanic, which includes an entire chapter dedicated to explaining the technique—what it is, how it works, and whether it’s right for you.

Question 2

The next question I addressed was: “If your back pain client has an anterior pelvic tilt (APT), do you try to correct it during the rebuild process or work with it as it is?” The answer largely depends on whether the APT is contributing to the pain. If the pelvic tilt isn’t causing pain or aggravating symptoms, there’s no need to alter it. However, if APT is contributing to discomfort, especially in movements like squatting or deadlifting, it may need to be corrected.

It’s also important to consider whether the individual has been taught specific movement patterns that could exacerbate the tilt. For example, if someone is excessively pushing their hips back when lifting, it may be necessary to correct that pattern to reduce strain on the back.

That said, it’s essential to understand that an anterior pelvic tilt is not inherently problematic. If it doesn’t cause pain, there’s likely a reason why the body has adapted to this position. This is why a thorough assessment is critical—to identify pain triggers and determine the best approach to treatment.

Each case is unique, and a professional assessment will ensure the most effective path forward. If you’re interested in learning more, you can book an online or in-person consultation [HERE].

Question 3

The third question I covered was: “How would you manage an athlete with low back pain who needs to continue competing during the rebuild process? For example, football or basketball players.” Before offering a clear answer, it’s essential to understand the specifics of the back pain: What type of pain are we talking about? Is it discogenic pain, acute shooting pain, or a result of long-term stress on the facet joints? There are many potential causes of lower back pain, and identifying the exact source of pain is key to managing it effectively.

In some cases, athletes may be able to manage their symptoms while continuing to compete, although this can be more challenging in physically demanding sports like football. The ability to manage pain will depend on the tissues involved and the severity of the injury. Ideally, the athlete would rest and allow time for recovery, but in reality, most athletes continue competing during the healing process, which can complicate things.

For athletes with more severe pain, treatment options may include spinal injections, epidurals, nerve root blocks, or facet joint injections to help manage symptoms and improve function. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Recovery time can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury, the athlete’s physical condition, and the demands of their sport.

For example, racket sports like tennis place unique stress on the lower back, requiring a tailored recovery approach compared to something like powerlifting. Again, the best course of action depends on the specifics of the injury, and a professional assessment is the first step in determining the right treatment.

If you’re an athlete dealing with back pain, I highly recommend seeking a personalized evaluation. You can learn more about consultations [HERE].

Want Your Question Answered?

For more insights and answers to additional questions from the livestream, I encourage you to check out the full Q&A session [HERE]. If you have a question you’d like answered in my next livestream Q&A on November 8th at 1 PM EST, be sure to submit it in the comments of my community post [HERE]. Thank you for joining me, and I look forward to answering your questions in the next session!

BRIAN DOES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON COACHING!

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Back Injured Athlete Wanting to Return to Sport

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