Lack of exercise, physical activity, poor lifestyle and improper nutrition
can all affect your body in more ways than one. And even though these factors
are already taking its toll on you, it is possible that you just ignore the
symptoms since it's still tolerable. However, a day may come when you can no
longer perform your usual everyday tasks because you did not spare some time to
check out your body.
If you are living a busy life as someone like a corporate individual who is
always seated in front of the computer for hours on end, you might have
probably experienced a tingling pain in your lower back for at least a few
times before. Those whose job requires standing up or walking a lot may feel that
particular back pain, too.
So now that you remember, you might be asking what kind of pain was that
you experienced. You could have also associated it with aging or typical
physical exhaustion. But actually, you might have been suffering from sciatica
pain.
What is sciatica, its symptoms and causes?
Sciatica is the general term for the symptoms of pain felt in the lower
back down to one's buttocks, thigh and leg. This is due to the compression or
injury of the sciatic nerve, also referred to as the sciatic nerve. This wide
and long single nerve in the human body roots from the spine's base and runs
down from the sides of the pelvis down towards the buttocks, thighs, legs and
feet. Basically, this nerve sends impulses to your lower extremities.
The early symptoms of sciatica include lower back pain that gradually
spreads down towards the leg. One may also feel a tingling sensation in the
lower part of the limb. Weakness and numbness of the legs may also be
experienced.
As mentioned, the compression and injury of the sciatic nerve causes
sciatic pain. To make things clear, it is not a disease but it is a condition
brought about by various reasons. For instance, if the spaces between the
spinal discs are narrowed, the nerves including the sciatic nerve are compressed.
Other issues in the spine and muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve may cause
sciatica pain.
Sciatica relief and treatment
If you are searching for sciatica relief info, you would most likely find
out that there are three categories of sciatica relief: non-surgical, surgical
and alternative.
Non-surgical treatment
Non-surgical sciatica relief and treatment includes the use of heat or cold
packs, as well as the intake and administration of medicines and injections.
Patients who experience acute pain can find relief from a hot or cold
compress. The patient can apply a hot or cold pack in the affected area for 20
minutes every two hours until ultimate relief is realized. The hot and cold
packs can be used alternately, but some find one better than the other.
Meanwhile, anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs such as naproxen and
ibuprofen are known to offer fast if not instant relief. Oral steroids may also
be taken in some cases. Epidural steroids may also be injected directly to the
damaged area.
Surgical treatment
If the sciatic pain does not subside for six up to 12 weeks, doctors are
likely to suggest surgery. Surgeries commonly performed to treat sciatica are:
microdisectomy, lumbar laminectomy, microdecompression and open decompression.
These surgeries involve removal of the discs or bones or parts of it that
affect or irritate the sciatic nerve.
Alternative treatment
Most of the alternative treatments that are known to offer relief from most
body pains are recommended for the treatment of sciatica. Some of the best
known alternative treatment for sciatica are acupuncture and massage therapy.
Meanwhile, physiotheraphy and exercises are also known to help prevent sciatica
altogether.
Robin Nordhoff is a Sciatica expert. For more information on sciatica
relief info
[http://www.sciaticareliefguide.net/sciatica-relief-information.html], visit
[http://www.sciaticareliefguide.net].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Nordhoff
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