Lumbar Sacralisation (Bertolotti's Syndrome)

The base of the lumbar spine is home to many congenital anomalies, to do with the closing of the bone at the back (pars defect) and the shape of the lowest (L5) vertebra. Known as sacralisation, this is where part, or all, of the L5 vertebra is fused - either partially or completely - to the back of the pelvis. The body being the body (miracle machine that it is) does its best to cope with this - and usually does so quite well (read painlessly) unless you hurt it or jar it somehow.  Watch here as Sarah carefully explains the different types of sacralisation (and its opposite number lumbarisation) and better still the various treatment options - including what you can do about it yourself.