Sciatica refers to pain along the sciatic nerve pathway. It is usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. Fortunately, most cases of sciatica are not serious and usually disappear within six weeks.
The sciatic nerve branches of the nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord – it’s two branches run from the lower back on the side of each of the pelvis, buttocks, back of the leg to the foot. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and its diameter is the diameter of a finger
Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica is a term for pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, anywhere in the lower back, buttocks, down the back of the leg, foot. There may also be weakness, numbness, tingling, especially in the leg and / or foot. The location of pain and / or numbness varies depending on the location of the sciatic nerve or nerve root is affected. The pain can range from burning pain and can vary in intensity. The pain may be intermittent or constant. Sciatica usually occurs on one side of the body. Sitting or standing, sneezing, coughing or lifting aggravates sciatica. Sciatic pain can be acute, but often develops gradually
Causes of sciatica
Sciatica is caused by inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve or nerve roots in the lumbar spine. It can also be caused by damage to nerve roots. Sciatica is not a disease itself and its causes are various.
* The compression of a nerve is often referred to as a pinched nerve. ” A pinched nerve “in the lower spine causing sciatica.
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lower back) to put pressure on the sciatic nerve or nerve root. A herniated disc may occur suddenly and cause severe pain or develop gradually.
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of spaces in the spine causing compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. It can cause sciatica if it occurs in the lower back.
In advanced osteoarthritis of the spine, pieces of cartilage may break off and float inside the spinal joints. This causes irritation and inflammation and if it occurs in the lower back can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Spondylolisthesis – where one vertebra slips over another – occurs more frequently in the lower back – where the misaligned vertebra can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
A common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome unless a disorder in which a muscle located on the buttocks (piriformis muscle) contracts and irritates the sciatic nerve. In this case, the pain starts in the buttocks and radiates down the leg. Piriformis syndrome is usually treated with stretching exercises, massage and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Something as simple as muscle tension can cause inflammation, which can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Treatment of Sciatica / Pain Relief
* Ask your doctor to diagnose the cause of sciatica and rule out any serious condition that may require immediate surgery.
Treatment consists of treating the pain and the condition that is causing it. Anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics, and usually some form of physical therapy prescribed.
Drugs: the non-prescription NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen to treat both pain and inflammation. painkillers such as Tylenol to treat pain but not inflammation, but may be preferred by some people. In cases of severe acute sciatica, physicians can prescribe codeine preparations and / or muscle relaxants.
A corticosteroid injection, a powerful anti-inflammatory, in the cerebrospinal fluid around the affected area offers a high dose of drugs to the spinal nerves.
Exercise: A couple of days of bed rest may be necessary to, severe acute sciatic nerve pain. Bed rest does not accelerate the recovery, and may in fact hinder it. Do not use the muscles causing them to weaken rapidly. Muscles – back and abdominal muscles – is what supports and protects the joints of the spine. Exercise also increases circulation and promotes healing.
* Depending on the cause of sciatic pain, certain exercises may have to be avoided. Always consult your doctor about the safety of exercise for your particular condition.
Stretching exercises are often recommended to relieve sciatica. Stretching exercises loosen muscles and increase the spaces between the vertebrae, allowing more space for the spinal nerves. Stretching the back muscles and buttocks and even the hamstrings (muscles on the back of the thigh) can relieve sciatica. See Back Exercises.
* A physical therapist can create an individualized exercise program for a particular patient’s condition. Depending on the cause of sciatic pain, certain exercises may have to be avoided.
Severe Acute sciatica: Although bed rest does not accelerate the recovery in the case of acute sciatica stretches on a firm surface, often relieves pain. The application of ice during the first days of acute sciatica can also help.
The treatment of muscle spasm: Muscles may spasm in reaction to sciatica, the pain intensified. Sciatica can also be caused by muscle spasms that irritate spinal nerves. Massage therapy can be helpful. Stretching exercises also loosen tight muscles. The heat also relaxes tense muscles. Moist heat may be more effective. View hydrotherapy.
Support / Posture: Sitting on soft surfaces aggravates sciatica – adequate support is necessary to avoid slouching, putting excessive pressure on the lower back. A chair that is tilted slightly backward shifts weight towards the back of the chair to take a lower back strain. The support is needed while lying down also. Saggy mattress causes the lower back to sink into the mattress and can irritate the spinal joints and aggravate sciatica. The best mattress for back pain can be a firm mattress media. Any increase or decrease in the normal curve of the lower back increases the stress on the spine and sciatica worse. See posture.
Avoid heavy lifting, which places extreme stress on the lower back. Use proper body mechanics. Refer to proper lifting techniques.
Avoid prolonged sitting or standing, which can aggravate sciatica. (Your lower back supports most of body weight)
Other treatments for pain: The use of heat and cold are often used to relieve pain. Spinal traction is not recommended for acute sciatica, but is commonly used to relieve chronic back pain, especially sciatica. See the treatment of back pain and complementary treatments to relieve pain more information.
Invasive treatment
Spinal Injections: Before considering surgery, but after a conservative, noninvasive treatments have not provided adequate pain relief, an epidural steroid injection may be given. This minimally invasive procedure involves injecting a combination of corticosteroids and local anesthetic into the epidural space.
Surgery: If conservative treatments do not bring adequate pain relief, surgery is the best consideration. If there is progressive weakness or difficulty walking (progressive nerve damage is possible) is surgery may be necessary. Immediate surgery is needed whether or loss of bladder or bowel function.
Sciatica exercises Prevention:
* If you currently have sciatica, consult a doctor who can diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate exercises.
Keep your back muscles strong and flexible reduces the risk of a herniated disc, the most common cause of sciatica. Low impact aerobics increase circulation and promote healing. Walking, swimming and riding a stationary bicycle are good low-impact aerobics. Strengthening the muscles supporting the spine (muscles of your back and abdominal) help maintain proper posture, which removes the stress of the spinal joints. Strengthening exercises can cause muscle tighter stretching exercises are important. Stretching exercises that increase the spaces between the vertebrae and create more space for the discs can relieve pressure on nerves. Exercise can help prevent or delay the degenerative changes associated with aging in the spine and may help prevent recurrence of sciatica.
