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Sciatica Symptoms

20. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,

Sciatica symptoms

For some people, sciatica pain can be severe and debilitating. For others, pain may be infrequent and irritating, but has the potential to worsen.

While sciatica can be very painful, it is rare that permanent damage to the sciatic nerve (tissue damage) will result. Most sciatica symptoms result from inflammation and get better within two weeks to several months. In addition, due to the spinal cord is not present in the lower (lumbar) spine, a herniated disc in this area of the anatomy does not present a danger of paralysis.

Although relatively rare, two with sciatica symptoms that require immediate medical attention and the possibility of emergency surgery include: progressive weakness in the leg, and either bladder or bowel incontinence or dysfunction. Patients with any of these symptoms can have syndrome ponytail and should seek immediate medical attention.
Sciatica medical definition: radiculopathy

To clarify medical terminology, the term sciatica (often misspelled as sciatica, or siatica cyatica) is often used very broadly to describe any form of pain that radiates down the leg, however, this is not technically correct . True sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated and the pain along the sciatic nerve is caused by this nerve (radicular pain) and is called a radiculopathy. When the pain is referred to the leg of a common problem (called referred pain), using the term sciatica is not technically correct. This type of referred pain (eg, arthritis or other joint problems) is quite common.

Sciatica Treatment

Sciatic nerve pain is caused by a combination of pressure and inflammation of the nerve root, and treatment focuses on relieving these two factors. Typical sciatica treatment include:

surgical sciatica-no, which may include one or a combination of medical treatments and alternative (non-medical) treatments, and almost always includes some type of back exercises and stretching. The objectives of surgical treatment sciatica-not, as sciatica exercises should include both relief of sciatica pain and prevention of future sciatica pain.

Sciatica surgery, such as microdiscectomy or lumbar laminectomy and discectomy, to remove the disc that is irritating the nerve root. This surgery is designed to help relieve pressure and swelling and can be justified if the sciatic nerve pain is severe and has not been relieved with appropriate medical treatment or manual.

Sciatica Symptoms

Pregnancy And Sciatica

13. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,


Ah, the joys of pregnancy! If this is your first baby or fifth, there is much to look forward and prepare for. Unfortunately, the thrill of being a mother can be overwhelmed by back pain and sciatica. Three of every four pregnant women experience back pain – some long before they lose their waist! To help prevent or relieve back pain caused by sciatica, we offer answers as to why the symptoms often are developed and what it can do for the next few months easier.

How does pregnancy cause back pain and sciatica?
Changes in your body during the pregnancy rather than physical appearance!

1. Familiar to most women is weight gain – 25 or more pounds. The increase in body weight and stress when bending, pressing on a bulging or herniated disc in his lower back. Back pain and leg (eg, sciatica) are common complaints.

2. Weight gain can cause piriformis syndrome and sciatica. Piriformis muscle, located on the buttocks, assist movement of the thigh. Piriformis syndrome can develop when the muscle compresses the sciatic nerve, which passes through the buttock into the thigh.

3. What may not be immediately obvious is – as the uterus gets bigger (and bigger!), Agency’s center of gravity is thrown. Sometimes, as the uterus expands within the pelvis, spinal nerves in the lumbar and sacral spine (lower back) that feed into the sciatic nerve are compressed and irritated. This is another cause of back pain and sciatica.

4. In addition, the hormones are at work. In particular, relaxin, a hormone that relaxes the pelvic ligaments and helps to prepare the body of the mother for delivery. The relaxin loosens the ligaments also from other parts of the body, but mainly the joints of the pelvis, lower back and knees. This is important to know when to exercise or lifting, because it is easy to get tension during pregnancy. Move slowly and avoid sudden movements.

What to do
1. Work with your doctor, chiropractor, midwife or doctor to maintain body weight under control.

2. If back pain, talk to your doctor, chiropractor, midwife or doctor.

3. Pay attention to your posture! Stand straight, shoulders back, hidden under the buttocks, and avoid leaning back.

4. Try a pillow – a pillow standard size or body to help you sleep comfortable. A pillow can be positioned between the knees and the abdomen for support.

5. Prenatal Yoga helps stretch and tone muscles, maintain flexibility, improves balance and circulation, and relieves stress. Deep breathing is a huge part of yoga and an additional benefit for mothers to be. Learning to breathe deeply and relax during labor can help too. Combined with simple cardiovascular exercise like walking or swimming, these activities can help keep your weight under control and body shape. Ask your doctor or health care provider if these exercises are right for you!

6. Prenatal massage can help relieve pain and tension. Massage therapists trained in prenatal massage can be a resource for pain relief during pregnancy and childbirth. This type of massage relieves anxiety (helps stabilize hormone levels), back pain, pelvic and hip pain, improves circulation and digestion and helps reduce fatigue.

7. A hot shower or bath helps relieve back pain. However, pregnant women should avoid certain aromatic oils (aromatherapy, candles), such as basil, juniper, peppermint, rosemary and star anise. Some oils can cause contractions.

8. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy to treat back pain and sciatica. Sterile, disposable needles thickness of a hair are inserted into points on the body called meridians, energy channels. There is a theory of the needles work to free the flow of qi (pronounced chi) to help the body heal.

Ergonomic Pointers: At work, home and Leisure
Expectant mothers should avoid awkward postures, excessive force, such as heavy lifting and repetitive tasks – especially during the third quarter. At the end of pregnancy, a woman’s body is at its greatest challenge – ergonomically speaking.

1. The muscles of the lower back and legs work harder to maintain balance. Simple standing or walking can be a challenge. Limb swelling is common. Frequent breaks and rest (elevation of the feet) is useful.

2. An ergonomic design and an adjustable chair with lumbar support and foot rest can do desk work more comfortable. Frequently changing position by sitting and standing often.

3. If the task requires sitting, take regular breaks to walk. Walking helps reduce swelling by increasing circulation.

Hopefully, you will be one of the few mothers who are expecting a baby whose pregnancy progresses without back pain or sciatica. Remember? if you start back pain, talk to your doctor, chiropractor, midwife or health care professional.

Pregnancy And Sciatica

Ease Sciatica and Restore Motion

10. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,


Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist to help ease your sciatica and restore motion. Physical therapy includes passive and active treatments. Passive treatments help relax your body and yourself. They also prepare your body for therapeutic exercise, which is the active part of physical therapy.

Your physical therapist can give you passive treatments such as:

Deep Tissue Massage: This technique targets chronic muscle tension that could be pressing on the sciatic nerve or nerve root related. The therapist uses direct pressure and friction to try and release the tension in the soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles).

Hot and Cold Therapies: Using heat, the therapist tries to get more blood to the target area because an increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to the area. For example, a hot water bottle placed in the piriformis muscle can help to reduce muscle spasms that may be causing your sciatica. Cold therapy slows circulation, helping to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms and pain. Your physical therapist will alternate between hot and cold therapy.

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): You could even use this at home, if your therapist thinks it’s necessary. A machine that stimulates muscles through variables (but safe) the intensity of electric current. TENS helps reduce muscle spasms, and can increase your body’s production of endorphins, natural painkillers your. TENS team physical therapist uses is greater than the “home” machine use. However, large or small, a TENS unit can be a useful therapy.

Ultrasound: Ultrasound sends sound waves deep into the muscle tissue and its creates a gentle heat that improves circulation and helps speed healing. Increased circulation helps reduce muscle spasms, cramps, swelling, stiffness and pain.

In the active part of physical therapy, your therapist will teach several exercises. Your physical therapy program is individualized, taking into account their health and their history. You can include aerobic conditioning, strengthening exercises, and movements to increase flexibility and range of motion.

If necessary, you learn to correct your posture and incorporate ergonomic principles in their daily activities.

Ease Sciatica and Restore Motion

The Sciatic Nerve Is The Largest Nerve

09. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve and longer in your body. Five groups of nerve roots combine to form pairs, and is about the diameter of a finger. The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back, called the lumbar spine. Nerve roots are in the L4 and L5 vertebrae (the “L” means low back, and the numbers indicate the level of the vertebra, which is on your back). The sciatic nerve also travels through your pelvic region (sacrum).

In most people, the sciatic nerve runs under the piriformis muscle, which moves from side to side of the thigh. From there, the sciatic nerve descends through the buttocks and the back of the thighs. Behind the knee, smaller nerves branch from the sciatic nerve and travel to their feet.

His sciatic nerve is part of a complex structure: the nervous system of your body. This system is responsible for transmitting pain sensations to other parts of your body. So when something presses on a nerve, you’re going to feel and not feel well. With sciatica, something in his lower back, a herniated disc, for example, compresses the sciatic nerve, which then transmits the pain down the legs.
spine cord BB 166x300 The Sciatic Nerve Is The Largest Nerve

The Sciatic Nerve Is The Largest Nerve

Sciatica Is Not Actually A Condition

06. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,

You know what it feels like: sharp pain in the leg. You may also have tingling or numbness. His doctor says is sciatica, but to more confusion, sciatica is not actually a condition. It is a medical term used to describe the symptoms, sharp pain, tingling and numbness, caused by a lumbar condition.

sciatic nerve wu AA 186x300 Sciatica Is Not Actually A Condition

This means that your sciatica may be caused by a herniated disc or a herniated disk, degenerative disk disease, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy, spinal stenosis, a spinal tumor or spinal infection, spondylolisthesis, trauma.

Any of these conditions can put pressure on the sciatic nerve or nerve roots in the lumbar related. And that pressure is what causes pain and other symptoms.

Your doctor may also call sciatica a radiculopathy, which is a medical term used to describe pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the arms or legs. Since sciatica originates in the lower back, lumbar spine, which is called a lumbar radiculopathy.

Sciatica Is Not Actually A Condition

Nerves Being Pinched?

01. June 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,


The sciatic nerve is a nerve that runs from the lower back region and down the back of his legs. Although it is called “the sciatic nerve,” is actually a complex system of nerves that are about 1 inch each in total length. When you experience pain of sciatica is usually the result of one of these nerves being pinched as it leaves the spinal region.

There are many things that can cause sciatic pain, but they are the most common causes:

Too much pressure applied to the sciatic nerve – Excessive pressure can cause sciatic pain in a relatively short period of time. The sources of this pressure could be a muscle strain, poor posture, excess weight, pregnancy, or sleeping on a soft mattress. If you can have pre-back injury that resulted in a bad or herniated disk, this can also cause severe sciatic pain. More serious conditions, such as a herniated disc or a tumor around a disc in the back can cause sciatica pain horrible as it grows.

Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis, commonly called degenerative arthritis is known to trigger the sciatic pain. This can cause sciatica pain because any deformity in the bone structure of the leg can cause excess pressure to affect the sciatic nerve. This is more common in older people as bones become more fragile. They may also have what is known as spinal stenosis, which is caused by the sciatic nerve under pressure due to the limitation of space around the spinal area.

The most common symptom of sciatica is a sharp, piercing pain that can travel through the legs and even feet. Sciatica pain is not consistent, and that pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain unbearable. This type of pain affecting only one side of the body normally, and if not treated quickly enough, little by little can lead to serious neurological disorders.

Sciatica pain can be cured by treating the various causes of pain. Doctors can give pain medication or muscle relaxants to relieve pain. Some patients find good income in the year, if not overdone. There are several therapies that patients with sciatica can register on strengthening the muscles of the lower back and abdominal regions that cause sciatica symptoms to go away at the end.

Although there are many theories about what can cure sciatica, of course, none has helped more than one program called now treat sciatica. This is an all natural program that helped me cure my sciatica in 11 days flat – just a simple technique using eight minutes a day. And it is even safe for pregnant women!

Nerves Being Pinched?

Sciatica is a Painful Condition

31. May 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,


Sciatica is a painful condition that is caused by inflammation and pressure on the sites of the nerves at the lower end of the spinal cord. Sciatica occurs when the vertebral disc extends beyond its usual place, resulting in pressure caused by sciatic nerve pain. Symptoms are often felt in the lower back and legs. And stretching exercises are one of the best treatments for a sciatic nerve that is causing the pain.

Add more rest is believed to help also in the treatment of sciatica, but inactivity is also known to worsen the symptoms – which depends on the individual. The lack of activity, as such, usually causes the muscles of the back much weaker, and the general shape of the spinal cord also become weaker. This will cause increased pressure on the back and cause more pain inevitable. Exercises for sciatica can be very beneficial for back and spine.

Sciatic nerve exercises work the abdominal wall and back muscles. Most of these exercises include stretching to improve overall flexibility ultimately reduce pain. Exercises can be different, according to the needs of each patient. This is due to sciatica can also be a symptom of something more serious, like a cancerous tumor or infection. In order to benefit from these exercises, you must stay regular routine, and not without spending a day making sure you are doing them correctly.

sciatic nerve exercises not only help in the treatment of sciatic nerve pain, but also help prevent future inflammation. hamstring exercises is generally thought to be the most practical and useful. The hamstrings are located in the thigh and help you to bend the knee. These muscles, if not strengthened, it will become particularly vulnerable to sciatic pain.

Before doing any exercise, consult your doctor. Some exercises may not be appropriate for your particular condition, and some exercises can actually complicate the sciatic nerve pain, rather than alleviate it. The exercises can not work for some people at all. In this case, other treatment methods should be explored.

Sciatica is a Painful Condition

Sciatica Refers To Pain Along The Sciatic Nerve

31. May 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,


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.

Sciatica Refers To Pain Along The Sciatic Nerve

The Sciatic Nerve

31. May 2010 · Write a comment · Categories: Sciatic Pain · Tags: , , , , , , ,


The sciatic nerve is actually a very long nerve, the longest in your body, extending from the spinal cord through the hip and the back of his leg.

Sciatica, while generally treated as a diagnosis is actually a symptom of a larger problem. sciatic nerve pain occurs when this nerve is irritated or pinched. The result is pain that radiates from the lower back to finish the back of his leg.

While some people feel the pain along the nerve, others feel the pain more localized and usually as a pinch or throbbing pain in the buttocks. Some feel no pain at all and live and not feel a tingling or numbness radiates down your leg.

So how Sciatica occurs? What causes this sciatic nerve pain?

Sciatica may actually be the result of simple through its use. This is a common occurrence in runners and athletes often complain of sciatic pain. However, the most common cause of sciatic pain is a herniated disc that causes compression of the spine, resulting in inflammation and nerve being pinched.

Many women experience sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy as well. This is due to the shifting of the pelvic structure which in turn puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve pain can be particularly uncomfortable during the last months of pregnancy often takes to sit in one position for any length of time nearly impossible

Sciatic Nerve Treatment – What can we do about it?

For most people the sciatic nerve pain disappears after a few weeks. The treatment, of course, is directly related to the cause. If the sciatic nerve pain is being caused by a herniated disc, then chiropractic or the balance of muscular therapy treatment may be necessary. If overuse then rest and relax will usually do the trick.

There are wonderful stretching exercises that can help eliminate or reduce outbreaks and the occasional use of NSAIDs is often recommended by physicians. Another preventing’s consuming a diet antioxidants avoid foods that cause swollen. These foods are typically starch-sugar foods with high carbohydrates.

That said, the sciatic nerve pain can be debilitating for some individuals and stretching and simple analgesics not be enough to treat pain. For those individuals more drastic measures may be advised including steroid injections, surgery and physiotherapy.

Other treatments sciatica include:

- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Manual therapies

sciatic nerve pain is a real problem for many people. The good news is that there are treatments to control pain when it flares and ways to prevent recurring pain.

Learn much more about sciatica and sciatic nerve pain on this website.

The Sciatic Nerve