| Back pain is usually a big deal, but when it is accompanied with a numbness, tingling, weakness, or travels down your leg you might have a serious matter to take care of. Sciatica is a pain along the sciatic nerve. It is caused by pressure put on the sciatic nerve. Most cases aren't too serious and can clear up within a couple of months, but there is a chance that it could be the sign of a serious problem.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It starts branching off the nerve roots at the lower part of the spinal cord. There are two branches, each following down one leg traveling through the pelvis, buttocks, back of the leg, and down to the foot.
Sciatica usually only happens on one side and is brought about by inflammation or compression on the nerve. There are also instances in which it is caused by nerve damage. Sciatica is not a disease. It is a symptom of another problem. For this reason, it is good to see a physician to have it checked out and diagnosed. It could be a pinched nerve or a herniated disk or it could be something worse.
This is not meant to take the place of medical advice and should not be considered such. This is meant to supply you with more education about sciatica and help you know what might bring relief.
One of the remedies that might help bring about sciatica pain relief is using anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. These will help lessen the inflammation that might be firing up the sciatic nerve and causing you pain. Taking acetaminophen might help with the pain, but it won't help with the inflammation.
Doctors may prescribe a corticosteroid injection into spinal fluid. This is a very powerful and effective anti-inflammatory medicine that will see quick and long lasting results.
Exercise will help take some of the pressure off the sciatic nerve. It could very well be that extra weight that you are carrying around is adding extra pressure to the nerve. Exercise strengthens muscles, joints, and circulation. All of this will help the pain brought by sciatica. Check with the doctor before you start an exercise regimen if you are suffering from sciatica. It could be that there are exercises that you might do that will make the situation worse. Rest won't help you much in dealing with sciatica. It can actually make it worse.
Massage therapy, especially involving heat, will provide immediate relief and comfort.
Ice can help lessen the effect of acute attacks as can better posture. Using the right chair that pushes your stomach out and shoulders back will help a lot as will using a firm mattress.
Make sure you avoid standing up or sitting down for long periods of time without a break. Also, avoid lifting heavy objects unless you take proper care in doing so using proper lifting techniques.
Sciatica can be a pain that affects more than your back. Make sure that you address the cause and try these sciatica pain relief methods to see if one of them will help end that shooting pain. |