1. Figure out what is causing the pain. All pain has a cause and figuring this out in the first step to dealing with hip and lower back pain. 
Assuming you’ve seen a doctor and were told that you don’t have any major issue, such as cancer or infection that is causing the pain, you can probably assume it is simply Tension-Based Pain.

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My answer to the question: What is the best alternative treatment for sciatica?

The best ‘alternative’ treatment is the most normal and natural way to end nagging and painful sciatica. It’s non-invasive and in most cases is completely free of cost.
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The first thing to understand is that sciatica is just a name assigned to Tension-Based Pain at a certain place in the body. In this case the lower back and down into the legs. If it’s in the shoulder - it’s called bursitis, if it’s in the arch of the foot - it’s called plantar fasciitis, if it’s in the back - it’s called non-specific low back pain, etc.
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"Freedom is the only condition for happiness.”
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This idea from a thoughtful article “If You Expect a Lot and You’re Tired of Being Disappointed” written by Carl Phillips is an idea worth pondering. When we feel free we are more likely to be satisfied and happy. Many people think that the concept of “letting go” is some sort of new age nonsense, but nothing could be further from the truth. 

Read more here on the Quora space: Mind-Body & Chronic Pain

​Brittleness. What is the action in our bodies that makes us feel stiff and brittle?
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When we see a young child sleeping or running and playing they are relaxed and at peace.
As adults, if we are experiencing a taught, tightness in our limbs and trunk and our bodies are unable to move freely with ease, we are suffering from tension. Tension is a normal involuntary response of the autonomic nervous system, which is designed to ready us for action, but can be over stimulated by our reaction to stress. This type of stress in modern life does not resolve the way in which it was intended, such as a flight or fight conclusion.
We stay in this state of stress continuously, which causes great harm to us over time by ratcheting our muscles; cutting off circulation; increasing our blood pressure; increasing the cholesterol, decreasing our ability to digest our food and many other destructive effects. ​

Read more here on the Quora space, Mind-Body and Chronic Pain

Read the rest of this post here in the Mind-Body & Chronic Pain space in Quora.

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Please checkout my answer to the Question: ​Can a chiropractor help reduce tension from 'muscle armoring' and improve poor posture caused by childhood trauma? on Quora.

My answer to: Is myofascial relief overhyped? 

Myofascial Release is generally considered safe and effective for most people, but it can only do one thing, increase circulation to parts of the body for a short period of time. This is also true about massage or any other any body work therapy.  
Most people seek out these therapies, because they are unaware that the tightness and pain in their bodies are caused by the tension created by their reaction to stress, as well as their own negative emotions. This type of pain has many names, but I call it Tension Based Pain, because it is easy to understand. 

Tension headaches are caused by the autonomic nervous system’s reaction to stress and negative emotions. It is the flight or fight response at work. The tension tightens muscles in the head, which restricts blood flow, creating a lack of oxygen that results in pain. Tension headaches are just another form of Tension-Based Pain, which can occur anywhere in the body.

Back pain can be so intense when it strikes that it feels like something very serious has happened to our spines, which may cause some people to run from doctor to doctor looking for answers. 

What most people don’t understand is that the spine is the most powerful structure in the body. If someone did have a serious structural issue with their spine they wouldn’t be able to get to a standing position.  

When you walk into a doctor’s office under your own power the physician may assume that it is just common stress related back pain. This is sometimes diagnosed as “non specific acute low back pain" and if it becomes chronic, it may be called “benign persistent back pain". 

The doctor may order an MRI if the patient has certain red flags that could indicate an organic cause such as:

• Fever
• Recent trauma
• Pain at night or at rest
• Progressive motor or sensory deficit
• Saddle anesthesia
• Unexplained weight loss
• History of cancer or strong suspicion of cancer
• History of osteoporosis or chronic steroid use
• Immunosuppression

There is usually little point to scheduling an MRI or other imaging tests if no red flags are present, but each doctor will make their own determination about imaging based on their exam and other medical information about the patient.

Generally, the pain is caused by a lack of oxygen due to contracted muscles, which reduce blood supply. Surrounding tissues send pain signals when they aren’t properly oxygenated. This loop of tension, muscle contraction and pain is called Tension-Based Pain.

The body compensates for our stressful lifestyles as long as it is able and when it can’t anymore, our autonomic nervous system prepares us to flee by tensing our muscles, but we don’t flee, and the contraction and pain continue.

This was posted on Quora.