A herniated disk, sometimes (incorrectly) called a slipped disk, is a common cause of severe back pain and sciatica. A disk in the lumbar area becomes herniated when it ruptures or thins out, and degenerates to the point that the gel within the disk (the nucleus pulposus) pushes outward.
The ceiling fan's downrod must be long enough for the fan's blades to clear the ceiling. A fan with a 12-inch downrod works for a vaulted ceiling with a one-quarter-to one-third-inch pitch. An 18-inch downrod is sufficient for a pitch that is five-twelfths to one-half inch.
With higher ceilings it takes more than low speed to help re-circulate the warm air down to floor level. Also if you have a ceiling fan directly over a dining room table or a desk you should have the ceiling fan direction rotating clockwise/reverse on a higher speed.