Sink Your Sciatica So You Can Sing Better: The Connection Between Pain And Poor Singing
There is an old adage that says that pain makes for a better artist. Usually, this means emotional pain, not physical pain. However, if you took the saying literally, and you are attempting to make great music through your physical pain, you may be surprised by the results. Having sciatica, for example, will not make you a better singer. In fact, it could make you a worse singer. If you want to be the best musician you can be, here is how to sink your sciatica pain to sing better.
Understanding Sciatica and Sciatic Pain
Sciatica and its related pain are the direct result of damage to the sciatic nerve. As such, you are in so much agony that standing, sitting, or even walking is excruciating. When you are in pain, you are unable to hit high notes in the music you produce. Because hitting high notes means drawing up your torso to allow more air into your lungs so you can hit the notes correctly, you will immediately feel the shooting pain of sciatica in your lower back, buttocks, thighs, lower legs, and even your ankles or feet. Without treatment, your career as a singer may be over.
Treatment Begins with Rest and Chiropractic Care
A chiropractor can manipulate your spine and hips so that pressure on the sciatic nerve is released, even when you prepare to sing those high notes. You may have to take a break from singing for a while until your spine is realigned better, and your hips are in a better position. That is not to say you should not sing because you need to keep your voice toned. However, you should just sing light songs without high notes so your body can be repaired.
You also need rest. Famous singers such as Lady Gaga and the late Prince discovered that their bodies could not take the demands of the concert circuit. The former had to cancel several concerts in 2015 when she experienced intense pain in her hip, while the latter passed away from prescription painkiller abuse. Get as much rest as your doctor and chiropractor recommend if you hope to continue your singing career.
Once the Chiropractor Says It Is Okay
Once the chiropractor begins to see enough improvement with your sciatic nerve, and you are experiencing far less pain when you move, you may get the go-ahead to sing your entire range again. Take it slow, and if you feel twinges of pain during high notes, back off. Continue to see your chiropractor for adjustments. Chiropractors like those at Hiler Chiropractic and Vax-D Decompression Center can help.