Sciatica - The Cause and the Cure

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