Demystifying Sciatica
What is sciatica? Sciatica is the official name given to a pain
in the leg, foot, or buttock, brought on by a form of irritation
to the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the entire body.
Sciatica is most commonly caused by a slipped disc in the lower
back, some form of arthritis, or a pinched nerve. It begins with
back pain, followed by calf or hamstring pain, and sometimes
included numbness in the toes. Forms of sciatica, resulting from
inflammation get better with time, healing themselves. However,
bed rest is not the best way to treat sciatica. It is shown that
remaining active and performing exercises that are not weight
bearing can help. Given time, even herniated spinal discs can
heal.
Treatment for sciatica is varied. It is only possible to find
out what treatment is best for you by going to your doctor for
an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor may order an MRI to conclude
the exact cause of sciatic pain, although many physicians can
determine the cause through physical examination alone.
Proper stretching and exercising, combined with over-the-counter
pain medications can assist on the road to recovery. If your
pain is not relieved by the milder pain medications, your doctor
may prescribe a naroctic analgesic. However be advised that
these medications can cause nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness,
and may result in dependency if taken over long periods of time.
In extreme cases, surgery may be required to remove fragment of
the disc.
It is important to stay active. Do exercises that develop
muscles in your back and stomach. This helps to stablilize your
spine. It is also important to maintain a reasonable body
weight. Ensure that you practice good posture, and sleep on a
mattress that is neither too hard or too soft. You should always
discuss health matters with your physician, especially if you
suffer progressive weakness, as this may constitute a medical
emergency. The problem thought to be something easily treated
may be a serious condition caused by the compression of the
nerve roots in the lower end ofthe spinal canal, which requires
immediate medical attention.