Sciatic Nerve Pain
The pain known as sciatica (sometimes misspelled as "syatica" or "psyatica") is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve (one on each side). The symptoms of sciatica usually start in the buttock and may extend partially or all the way down the leg. The sciatic nerves are each formed by nerve roots from the lower lumbar and sacral parts of the spinal cord. The individual nerve roots come together in the lower pelvis to form the sciatic nerves. Each sciatic nerve then runs from the pelvis down the back of each leg. The sciatic nerve splits into two parts below the knee and the two halves run down the back of the lower leg to the foot.
While there are several possible causes of sciatica, by far the most common source of sciatic nerve irritation is a bulging or herniated disc in the lower lumbar spine. A damaged disc may bulge into the opening where one of the nerve roots exits the spine on it’s way to join other nerve roots as part of the sciatic nerve. The bulging disc may create direct nerve pressure, and/or may trigger inflammation and swelling, which can also cause pressure on the nerve. When this occurs, pain and other symptoms may be felt part along the course of the sciatic nerve, starting in the buttock area and possibly running down the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot.
Besides disc bulges, spinal openings for nerves may be narrowed by bone spurs or other bone formations related to spinal degeneration. In some cases, sciatica may result from direct trauma to the nerve after it exits the pelvis, such as what can happen if there is a direct impact or hard pressure applied in the lower buttock region. Rare sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, which can compress sciatic nerve roots as they exit the spine. Another rare cause of sciatica is a cyst or tumor that compresses the sciatic nerve in the hip or knee area.
Not every buttock or leg pain that people think is sciatica is acutually sciatica. True sciatica (sciatic nerve irritation) is usually felt mostly in the back of the leg (not the front or side of the leg). The symptoms of true sciatica can take different forms and may be descibed as tingling, burning, stabbing, aching, electric shock, numbness, or heaviness. But even if symptoms seem like sciatica, they are not always due to actual irritation of the sciatic nerve.
One common condition that closely mimics sciatica is caused by knots of contraction called trigger points in a muscle called the piriformis. The piriformis muscles are located on either side of the lower buttock area, running from the upper thigh bone to the edge of the sacrum (the triangular pelvic bone that is at the base of the spine).
In addition to causing symptoms that mimic sciatica, tightness in the piriformis muscle may also cause true sciatic irritation, because the sciatic nerve actually runs through the center of the piriformis muscle in some people, and can be compressed by excessive muscle contraction.
Trigger points in other muscles in the buttocks and upper thigh can cause referred pain in the side of the leg that may be mistaken for sciatica as well. It should be kept in mind that true sciatica and piriformis syndrome are associated with symptoms that are primarily felt in the back of the leg. If symptoms are in the front or side of the leg, there’s a good chance that the problem is not sciatica.
Treatment of sciatica is usually associated with treating a bulging disc. The first line of treatment is usually an attempt to reduce inflammation to reduce pressure on the nerve bymeans of oral medications. For more powerful anti-inflammatory effects, spinal injections with steroids like cortisone may be used. A variety of other types of treatment may also be used, such as physical therapy, massage, chiropractic or osteopathic spinal manipulation, acupuncture, or one of the newest forms of treatment, spinal decompression. In some situations, surgery may be recommended as a last resort.
In the majority of cases, an episode of sciatica will resolve even without any treatment within a period of several weeks, but due to the intensity of pain, most patients will not wait for it to go away on its own and seek out treatment. Unfortunately, due to misconceptions by doctors and patients alike regarding the nature of sciatica, the necessary steps to prevent a return of sciatica are usually not taken. So, even though most people do recover from a bout of sciatica, nearly all will eventually have problems again at some point. Even sciatica sufferers initially treated successfully with surgery will often have future problems with sciatica.
The good news is that with awareness of how to manage sciatica and a little bit of effort dedicated to prevention, most people can avoid ongoing long-term sciatica problems. The challenge is simply to making people aware of the necessity of a "management" versus "cure" approach to sciatica and getting them to follow-through with preventive exercises and other self-care techniques.
Sciatica Back Pain
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, and is rooted in the nerve bundle in the lower back. If it has been “pinched” such as by your back having a slipped lumbar .
Sciatica Causes Uncovering The True Cause .
Sciatica causes pain when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched or irritated in some manner. A herniated disc is perhaps the most common cause of sciatic nerve pain. It happens.
Find Your Cure For Sciatica Today Sciatic Nerve Pain Problems it’s a condition which afflicts millions of people worldwide. To some, it happens all of a sudden. To others, it is a slow, gradual process. Either way, there is no definite re.
By: George Best
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Dr. George Best has been treating patients with sciatica and piriformis syndrome for over 15 years. To educate the public on the importance of the proper management of sciatica and how to prevent long-term pain and disability, Dr. Best has produced a free ebook and online video program on Sciatica and Sciatica Exercises. For more information, visit: www.SciaticaSelfCare.com.
Using The Drx9000 - No Inversion Table Hang Ups Here
nversion tables are specially designed devices that allow the patient to hang upside down or at an angle in an effort to alleviate back pain. Sometimes, gravity boots are used in conjunction with the inversion table. In a way, inversion therapy is similar to spinal traction or spinal decompression therapy.
An alternative type of spinal therapy uses a device call the DRX9000. This device is somewhat of a computerized traction table that uses a pull-and-release motion to separate the spine. This oscillating motion is important because it essentially counteracts the body’s natural inclination to tighten up when being pulled. According to the developers of the machine, this allows the patient to be subjected to a much more effective spinal decompression treatment.
As back pain has become more and more common among the aging Baby Boomer population, many approaches to back pain treatment have been developed both to alleviate their pain and to assist them in keeping their backs healthy enough to avoid further acute back pain episodes.
Sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, is a condition in which the sciatic nerves in the body become inflamed. Sciatic nerves are found beginning at the lower spine and continue down the buttocks area, back of the legs, and into the feet. Symptoms of sciatica is characterized by a light tingling feeling or burning sensation to a full blown shooting pain that travels from the lower back, buttocks area, back of legs, and/or feet. More often than not, sciatic nerve pain affects only one side, although it could also be possible to run down both legs.
It may feel soothing to soak in warm baths to However, do not use heating pads while the nerve is inflamed. Prolonged heat will draw the inflammation in and will keep the swelling high. Rather, most healthcare professionals would advise the application of ice packs directly on the lower back area for 20 minutes at a time, every couple of hours. This may feel a little uncomfortable, but the cold packs will greatly help in reducing the swelling. Using mineral ice is also a good alternative in soothing the pain and offers a temporary sciatic relief.