| What it isSciatica is the name people give to | | | | nerve. The presence of this spondylolysis |
| a pain in the buttock, leg or foot brought on | | | | usually does not represent a dangerous |
| as a direct result of some form of irritation | | | | condition in the adult and most treatments |
| to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is | | | | concentrate on pain relief and increasing the |
| the longest nerve in the body. It runs all | | | | patient's ability to function.The CureSome |
| the way from the lower back splitting at the | | | | cases of sciatica which result from |
| base of the spine and terminating in the | | | | inflammation get better with time and heal |
| foot.The discs which cushion the vertebrae in | | | | themselves perhaps within six weeks to three |
| the lower back become progressively thinner | | | | months.Recent studies have shown that bed |
| and harder as we get older. This stresses the | | | | rest is not necessarily the best way to treat |
| lower back and often causes a variety of | | | | sciatica. It is better to remain active, |
| lower back pain disorders, including | | | | starting off with some gentle stretching and |
| sciatica.Sciatica is usually caused by a | | | | exercise. Swimming is particularly useful, as |
| prolapsed or 'slipped' disc bulging and | | | | it is not a weight bearing exercise. The good |
| pressing on to a nerve. It doesn't usually | | | | news is that herniated spinal discs usually |
| cause permanent nerve damage since the spinal | | | | do heal on their own, given time.There are |
| cord is not present in the lower part of the | | | | many different treatments for sciatica and it |
| spine and a prolapsed or herniated disc in | | | | is important to discuss these with your |
| this area does not pose a risk of | | | | health practitioner. Accurate diagnosis to |
| paralysis.The causeThe most common cause of | | | | determine the exact cause of sciatic pain is |
| sciatica is a prolapsed (slipped) disc, | | | | also equally important. The most conclusive |
| pinched nerves or some form of arthritis. It | | | | diagnosis is usually gained by a having an |
| usually starts with back pain which sometimes | | | | MRI scan. However having said that skilled |
| improves only to be followed by hamstring or | | | | medical practitioners, and I include |
| calf pain. It may also include numbness in | | | | Osteopaths and Chiropractors, are often able |
| the toes depending on which branch of the | | | | to determine the suspected cause by carrying |
| sciatic nerve is irritated.Piriformis | | | | out a physical examinationStretching and |
| syndrome is a condition in which the | | | | exercising are a must if you really want to |
| piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic | | | | progress along the road to rehabilitation and |
| nerve. The piriformis muscle is a small | | | | if you are in extreme pain this is probably |
| muscle behind the gluteus maximus. Piriformis | | | | the last thing you will contemplate |
| syndrome is most common among women, runners | | | | doing.Since getting mobile and becoming |
| and walkers.Spinal stenosis is the name given | | | | flexible is extremely important you might |
| to the narrowing of the nerve channel | | | | require some pain management to help you get |
| (vertebral canal) of the spine. This | | | | going. For mild cases of sciatica your doctor |
| narrowing causes compression of either the | | | | may start off by recommending non |
| spinal cord within the vertebral canal, or | | | | prescription medications like aspirin, |
| the nerve roots that exit the spinal cord. | | | | ibuprofen, or naproxen, known as non |
| People with spinal stenosis experience | | | | steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. |
| sciatic pain symptoms in the legs and feet. | | | | A downside of these drugs is that they may |
| It usually results from degenerative | | | | cause stomach upsets or bleeding.If your pain |
| arthritis causing a narrowing of the spaces | | | | is not relieved by analgesics or NSAIDs, your |
| in the vertebral canal. Manual workers are | | | | doctor might prescribe narcotic analgesics |
| more prone to developing symptoms of spinal | | | | (such as codeine) for a short time. Side |
| stenosis but it seldom affects people under | | | | effects of these include nausea, |
| 30 years of age - unless it is due to | | | | constipation, dizziness and drowsiness, and |
| traumatic injury to the vertebrae.The spine | | | | continued use may result in |
| is made up of a series of connected bones | | | | dependency.Sciatic pain is usually nerve |
| called "vertebrae." Spondylolisthesis or | | | | related and responds well to treatment with |
| isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs when a | | | | low doses of tricyclic anti-depressant drugs |
| cracked vertebra slips over the vertebra | | | | like amitriptyline, dothiepin, nortriptyline, |
| below it. Poor posture and curvature of the | | | | lofepramine, desipramine, clomipramine or |
| back or weak abdominal muscles can contribute | | | | imipramine combined with acupuncture or the |
| to this slippage, which can press on the | | | | use of TENs machines. |