Sciatic Nerve Relief

There is considerable confusion regarding the conditions sciatica and piriformis syndrome. Some think that they are the same thing, but although they have very similar symptoms in many cases and can be present simultaneously, the underlying causes of sciatica and piriformis syndrome can be quite different.

Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic (often mis-spelled as syatic or psyatic) nerve, that arises from nerve roots in the lumbar spine. The most common cause of sciatic nerve irritation, or "true" sciatica is compression of one or more of its component nerve roots due to disc herniation or spinal degeneration in the lower lumbar region. Depending on the severity of the compression and/or inflammation of the sciatic nerve components, sciatica may extend into the buttock area, into the thigh, or sometimes all the way down the leg to the foot.

Piriformis syndrome is sometimes called false sciatica, because instead of actual nerve irritation, it is caused by referral pain.) caused by tight knots of contraction in the piriformis muscle, which attaches to the upper femur bone and then runs across the back of the pelvis to the outside edge of the sacrum, the triangular pelvic bone at the base of the spine. The symptoms of piriformis syndrome are very similar and may be indistinguishable from true sciatica.

In some cases, piriformis syndrome may cause true sciatic nerve irritation, as the sciatic nerve may run underneath or even through the middle of the piriformis, so contraction of the piriformis may produce sufficient compression of the sciatic nerve to produce actual nerve symptoms. This is one of the main sources of confusion when it comes to distinguishing true sciatica from piriformis syndrome.

As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of true sciatica are very similar to piriformis syndrome. Both cause pain, tingling, burning, "electrical shock" sensations, and/or numbness down the leg, often all the way to the foot. Add to this that the underlying causes of both sciatica and piriformis syndrome can be related to biomechanical problems in the spine and pelvic joints, and the fact that the two conditions can be present at the same time, even doctors may have a difficult time distinguishing between the two.

But since the most effective treatment for the two conditions varies signficantly, it is important to determine the correct diagnosis if at all possible. In most cases there is an easy way to distinguish between sciatica and piriformis syndrome.

Two simple maneuvers will distinguish sciatica from piriformis syndrome in the majority of cases (when the problem is one versus the other and not both conditions at the same time). First, in a seated position, if one straightens the leg on the painful side (so that the leg is parallel to the floor), and the sciatica symptoms increase, this is usually a sign of true sciatic nerve irritation.

The second maneuver is done in two parts. First, from the sitting position one bends the leg and pulls the knee on the painful side towards the same-side shoulder. In all but the most severe cases, there is usually no major increase in pain in this position. The second part of the maneuver is to pull the knee toward the opposite side shoulder. An increase in the sciatica-like symptoms is a strong indication of piriformis syndrome.

It is important to distinguish between sciatica and piriformis syndrome, because the treatment for the conditions varies, and getting the diagnosis right typically leads to more effective treatment.

By: George Best

Technorati Tags: Nerve Pain, piriformissyndrome, sciatica

What Is Sciatica

Sciatica is not a specific disease, instead it is a condition characteristic of several different diseases. Simply put, it is a mild to intense pain in the left or right leg. Sciatica is caused by a compression of one or more of the five sets of nerve roots in the lower back. These compressions are typically caused by a disc rupture or bone spur in the lumbar spine. It causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs. This is referred to as radiculopathy. If the nerve root causing the problem is in the neck it is called cervical radiculopathy. Sciatica is called a lumbar radiculopathy since it occurs in the lower back.

There are six typical causes of Sciatica.

Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is usually found at birth, early childhood or acquired from physical trauma such as weightlifting. It is a disorder that most often affects the lumbar spine. Spondylolisthesis is characterized by one vertebra slipping forward over an adjacent vertebra. Often sciatic leg pain is caused when a nerve root compresses due to the vertebra being displaced and slipping.

 
Piriformis Syndrome
Due to the lack of MRI or x-ray findings, it may be difficult to diagnose and treat piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle connects to the thighbone, assists in hip rotation and is located in the lower part of the spine. When muscle spasms develop in the piriformis muscle thereby compressing the sciatic nerve, Piriformis syndrome develops. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome is named for the piriformis muscle and the pain caused when the muscle irritates the sciatic nerve.

Lumbar Bulging or Herniated Disc

When the nucleus breaks through the annulus a herniated disc occurs. It is called a ‘non-contained’ disc disorder. A bulging disc is also known as a contained disc disorder. This means the nucleus pulposus (gel-like center) remains ‘contained’ within the annulus fibrosus (tire-like outer wall) of the disc. Because a herniated disc is a ‘non-contained’ disc disorder, the consequences of a herniated disc are worse. Whether a disc or herniates or bulges, disc material can press against an adjacent nerve root and compress delicate nerve tissue and cause sciatica. Irritation and nerve compression cause pain and inflammation often leading to extremity tingling, muscle weakness and numbness. The disc material itself also contains an acidic, chemical irritant (hyaluronic acid) that causes nerve inflammation. The herniated nucleus causes direct compression of the nerve root against the interior of the bony spinal canal.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The condition of spinal stenosis results in the spinal canal narrowing. The narrowing causes pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Common in patients over the age of 50 and with causes that are not clear, spinal stenosis has two different types frequently described. A common complaint of spinal stenosis patients is leg pain which gets worse with walking. Another complaint is back pain. Sitting and bending can sometimes alleviate these pains.

There is one type of spinal stenosis that exists where individuals are born with a narrow spinal canal. In people that have this condition even minor structural changes to the spine can cause severe spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis related to age is the more commonly acquired form. This form of the stenosis condition may cause various spinal components to sag or bulge from arthritis. Discs, joints, and ligaments can be affected. These changes, which occur with age, can have the effect of narrowing the spinal canal and thus trigger spinal stenosis pain.

Spinal Tumors

Spinal tumors can be benign or malignant, but are fairly rare. They cause sciatica due to pressure on the disc.

Trauma
Another cause of sciatica is trauma caused by accidents. The impact may injure nerves or cause fragments of bone to compress the nerves (lumbar or sacral spinal nerve roots)

If you think you may be suffering from sciatica, be sure and contact your physician to get a proper diagnosis!

Sciatica Home Treatment
sciatica 29 year old woman comes in the other day - complaining of left lower back pain radiating down the buttocks to the lower leg. Easy one. She has no medical problems, is on no meds.

Sciatica Treatment | Back Pain Muscle
By now you area already familiar with the term sciatica because you have been dealing with sciatica pain. However your main purpose is to find sciatica.

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Sciatica Herbs written by a recovered sciatic nerve pain sufferer. Article details using herbal methods to treat sciatica.

By: Liana Mirkin

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 Exercises To Relieve Sciatica

I’m going to share with you some of my favorite exercises to relieve sciatica related pain in the lower back, buttocks, legs and feet. This can be a very painful condition that seems to haunt people with pain no matter what they do. The great thing is there are easy ways to relieve the pain.

Sciatica is a type of symptom that is the result of pain in the lower back area, typically. This is caused by a compression, or irritation of a nerve root in the back. Along with pain, this can cause numbness, weak muscles, and even difficulty moving/controlling your legs.

One of the most common causes of sciatica is a disc in your vertebrae is compressed right on a nerve root which causes this pain. Typically this happens while you rotate your back because the discs aren’t the best at dealing with a turning compression. Also, your disks can lose the liquid inside which will have your nerve roots compressed on most of the time.

There other causes which include when you spinal canal ends up narrowing and puts pressure on the nerves. 15% of people suffer from piriformis syndrome. This is where a nerve runs through the middle a muscle, instead of underneath it. When the , the nerve is compressed and you will feel pain.

There are solutions for this and I have some exercises to relieve sciatica. Lie down on a flat surface and lift your knees up to your chest. Huge them and pull them as close as you can to your chest. Hold that position. What you’re doing is stretching the lower back. We rarely ever stretch our lower back, so that is why this exercises a little different. Since your back is being stretched out, it will relieve any tense muscles, it’ll create more space, so nerves aren’t being compressed or irritated.

Exercise for Sciatica
Rehabilitation and Exercise for Sciatica. By: Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD. Font size. A. A. A. A physician answers patient questions about rehabilitation of the back when suffering from

Exercises to Relieve Sciatica
Sciatica stretches help you to relieve sciatica nerve pain. Do them diligently, and under your doctors care and you will find relief. Mail this post. Technorati Tags:

Sciatica Exercises for Pain
And all I see is people talking like they are very knowledgable about this problem but will not tell or describe the exersises. Does anyone know what the exercises are? And not just saying

By: Ronald Myers

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
There are many different exercises and stretches to deal with all types of pain created by sciatica. Learn how to treat the pain with Sciatica Exercises.

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A large amount of confusion and misunderstanding exists concerning the conditions sciatica and piriformis syndrome. There are some who insist that the two conditions are actually the same thing, but even though they can have symptoms that are very much alike, the underlying causes differ.

Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic (often mis-spelled as syatic or psyatic) nerve, that arises from nerve roots in the lumbar spine. The most common cause of sciatic nerve irritation, or "true" sciatica is compression of one or more of its component nerve roots due to disc herniation or spinal degeneration in the lower lumbar region. Sciatica usually begins in the buttock area and, depending on the severity of the underlying nerve comression and inflammation, may extend down the entire leg to the ankle and foot.

Piriformis syndrome, also known as "pseudo-sciatica" (meaning "false sciatica"), is actually referral pain and other symptoms (tingling, numbness, etc.) caused by tight knots of contraction in the piriformis muscle, which attaches to the upper femur bone and then runs across the back of the pelvis to the outside edge of the sacrum, the triangular pelvic bone at the base of the spine. The symptoms of piriformis syndrome are very similar and may be indistinguishable from true sciatica.

In some cases, piriformis syndrome may cause true sciatic nerve irritation, as the sciatic nerve may run underneath or even through the middle of the piriformis, so contraction of the piriformis may produce sufficient compression of the sciatic nerve to produce actual nerve symptoms. This is one of the main sources of confusion when it comes to distinguishing true sciatica from piriformis syndrome.

As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of true sciatica are very similar to piriformis syndrome. Both cause pain, tingling, burning, "electrical shock" sensations, and/or numbness down the leg, often all the way to the foot. In addition, both sciatica and piriformis syndrome tend to be at least partially related to biomechanical functional problems in the joints of the back and pelvis and they may even be present simultaneously in the same person, so it an be difficult to tell them apart.

But since the most effective treatment for the two conditions varies signficantly, it is important to determine the correct diagnosis if at all possible. In most cases there is an easy way to distinguish between sciatica and piriformis syndrome.

In most cases,sciatica can be differentiated from piriformis syndrome with a couple of simple test maneuvers. To begin, from a seated position, one straightens the knee on the side of sciatic pain, holding the leg out straight and parallel to the floor, and if this position causes an increas in symptoms, it is a good indicator of true sciatica.

The second  is done in two parts. First, from the sitting position one bends the leg and pulls the knee on the painful side towards the same-side shoulder. In all but the most severe cases, there is usually no major increase in pain in this position. The second half of the test is to stretch the knee (on the painful side) towards the opposite shoulder. An increase in the sciatica-like symptoms is a strong indication of piriformis syndrome.

It is important to distinguish between sciatica and piriformis syndrome, because the treatment for the conditions varies, and getting the diagnosis right typically leads to more effective treatment.

By: Dr. George Best

Sciatica
Piriformis syndrome is another common scapegoat for symptoms relating to nerve constriction by the powerful piriformis muscle deep in the pelvis. Finally, non-specific muscular impairmen.

Piriformis muscle Syndrome or Sciatic Nerve Pain Treatment.
There is considerable confusion regarding the conditions sciatica and piriformis syndrome. Some think that they are the same thing, but although they have very similar symptoms in many.

All About Piriformis Muscle
However, finding that right exercise and doing it regularly to get rid of the pain depends on the exact cause of sciatica. Your sciatica may be due to herniated disc or it may be due to .

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