What Is Neurogenic Claudication?
For executive mums  balancing high-stress jobs, young children, and spinal pain, experiencing unexplained leg pain, especially during activities like walking or standing, can be a sign of neurogenic claudication. It is a symptom often associated with lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal nerves and can significantly impact your ability to stay active and manage daily responsibilities. In this blog lets discuss more about neurological claudication as staying informed about conditions that affect your daily life and mobility is essential. 

Neurogenic claudication is a condition associated with spinal stenosis, where the space around the lower spine narrows, compressing nerves and sometimes blood vessels. This compression can lead to pain that begins in the lower back and radiates down the legs. Typical symptoms include cramping, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs and feet. For some, it may also cause bowel or bladder issues.




Neurogenic claudication typically worsens when standing or walking and improves when bending forward or sitting down. This is because bending forward helps open up the spinal canal, relieving pressure on the nerves. For executive mums, this can mean experiencing discomfort while performing simple tasks such as grocery shopping or carrying a child, which can significantly disrupt both work and home life.

Many sufferers find relief by using aids like shopping carts or walkers, which allow them to lean forward and alleviate nerve pressure, known as the “shopping cart sign”. This is often referred to as the "shopping cart sign," a classic indicator of neurogenic claudication. Although walking may worsen symptoms, incline walking can be a better alternative as it encourages a forward-leaning posture. This is why activities like walking uphill or using a treadmill at a slight incline can often feel more comfortable.

In addition to neurogenic claudication, there’s another type of claudication called vascular claudication, which is typically linked to blood flow issues, such as peripheral artery disease. Unlike neurogenic claudication, this pain doesn’t get better by leaning forward but rather by resting as it’s directly related to blood supply issues rather than nerve compression.

Managing neurogenic claudication involves a combination of activity modification, stretching and strengthening exercises, core rehabilitation, apart from medical intervention. Learning how to adapt daily activities and take appropriate breaks can go a long way in managing symptoms. For busy mums, understanding these adjustments can help maintain mobility, reduce pain, and ensure that they can continue to lead an active and fulfilling life. One of the main pillars of managing neurological claudication is to lower the inflammation in the spine and nerve. 

If you want to learn more about how to reduce your inflammation the 11 day jumpstart is a free program that helps to manage inflammation in the body, including the spine. You can find the details HERE.

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MEET SWATI

 
Hi there! 
I am Swati, an Executive Mum Power Coach and a Certified Posture Expert. I use my proven system to help mums of younger kids working in high-stress executive jobs manage their back, neck, and nerve pains, despite low energy levels and brain fog. I do all this without taking away a big chunk of their time out of their already busy day. This enables them to be more productive and capable professionals at work and guilt-free mums who can focus on their kids instead of always being distracted by pain. 



My passion for helping executive mums stems from my own experiences. I have been in the same boat and understand the frustration and helplessness of being in constant pain or being afraid to engage in activities due to the fear of pain. After two pregnancies in the span of three years and juggling my two kids, housework, and a demanding job, I was constantly in pain. The weight gain from motherhood added extra stress to my already overburdened spine and joints. I was stuck in a vicious cycle of weight loss and spinal/nerve pain that I just couldn’t break free from.

On top of the physical pain, I also suffered from adrenal fatigue. I often felt exhausted, waking up groggy even after a full night’s (10 to 12 plus hours!) sleep, and struggled with low energy levels and brain fog. Simple tasks became challenging, and I found myself forgetting things and unable to think clearly. It was incredibly frustrating and made it even harder to balance my professional responsibilities and family life.

My work involved long hours of standing during the day, prolonged hours on the laptop in the evening, and lots of running around and rocking my kids to sleep in between. Despite my knowledge and expertise in pain relief, I still found myself unable to escape the constant daily pain and fatigue.

Sitting at a desk job from 9 to 5, or longer, plus endless meetings that seem to go on forever. The frequent traveling, the uncomfortable hotel pillows that make it impossible to get a good night’s sleep—I’ve experienced it all. I remember not being able to share my discomfort at work because I felt like an imposter, talking about pain relief strategies and focusing on work while I was not able to achieve it myself. I didn’t disclose the extent of my pain and forgetfulness to my colleagues for years. Even though I loved my kids and my job, I couldn’t give 100% to either. The discomfort held me back from reaching my full potential, making me feel guilty as a mum and less productive at work. I felt like I was constantly running on empty, unable to catch a break from the pain and exhaustion.

finally got fed up after years of trying and decided to make a New Year’s resolution to get ‘healthy’ instead of focusing solely on my pain, fatigue, forgetfulness, and weight loss. When I shifted my focus to getting healthier by reducing the inflammation in my body and addressing my adrenal fatigue, the pain started to decrease, my energy levels and focus improved, and the pounds started shedding off too! That, of course, meant a happier spine, nerves, joints, and a happier me! Today, my neck, back, and nerve pain are down to zero, my knee pain has reduced by 75%, my brain fog has reduced drastically and my energy levels are higher than ever. I realized that I had been focusing on the wrong solutions for over a decade!

Now, my mission is to share my knowledge of pain relief and managing adrenal fatigue along with my personal experience with other mums, especially those with younger kids who work in high-stress executive jobs. My goal is to help you find lasting relief, boost your energy, and reclaim your life, just as I did. 

If you can relate to all this, you are not alone. As a mum, I have been there and done that—momma, I got you! I’ve helped hundreds of mums in this situation over the years find their solution to manage spinal and joint pains, low energy levels, and brain fog that hold them back. This enables them to feel confidently in control and empowers them to cultivate that confidence and productivity at work and enjoy being with their kids, to be able to run around with them without the fear of injury or pain.

Are you ready for this journey? Ask me how if you are curious.

Let's DO THIS!
xx Swati
** Executive Mum Power Coach **

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