There are many people who suffer from sciatica, a very painful condition that is normally a sign of an underlying spine or back issue. The pain can be in the lower back area or a shooting pain down through your legs. The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the human body and can become irritated from many different ways. Treatment for sciatica can also depend on what is causing the pain.
Sciatica is not a back problem itself; rather it is a symptom of several other back complaints. The nerve becomes compressed or pinched, which causes the pain. The underlying back problem can be one of several that can result in sciatica. The most common reason for sciatica is a slipped disc, as the bulging disc can put additional pressure n the sciatic nerve. This pressure causes the surrounding area to become inflamed, which adds to the pain and irritation. Other back problems that can cause sciatica are tumors, internal bleeding and women can sometimes suffer during pregnancy.
Treatment for Sciatica
Rest may be prescribed by your doctor initially, but usually only for a short period. This is to try and reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve and any resulting inflammation.
There are many different types of medication that can be used to deal with the pain of sciatica. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are very good at helping people with sciatica pain and are prescribed often by specialists in dealing with sciatic nerve problems.
Muscle relaxants can also be used to reduce any inflammation that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Stretching exercises can be great for helping people recover from sciatica and improving flexibility.
Physical exercise is good for your overall health and well-being, however, for sciatica sufferers, exercise can also reduce the pain and help to maintain flexibility.
Hot packs are used to reduce inflammation and ice packs can be used to relieve pain, both are very good forms of treatment for sciatica.
An epidural steroid injection can sometimes be used to delivers anti-inflammatory medication rapidly to the area surrounding the nerves of the spine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a very good form of long term treatment and can help people dealing with chronic sciatica.
In many cases, the above treatments can be effective to varying levels. However, for some people, the only option is surgery. Obviously, the type of surgery will depend on what is actually causing the sciatic nerve to be compressed. Surgical procedures such as discectomy, spinal fusion and laminectomy can all help with the underlying spine conditions that are causing the pain of sciatica.
Sciatica is not a back problem itself; rather it is a symptom of several other back complaints. The nerve becomes compressed or pinched, which causes the pain. The underlying back problem can be one of several that can result in sciatica. The most common reason for sciatica is a slipped disc, as the bulging disc can put additional pressure n the sciatic nerve. This pressure causes the surrounding area to become inflamed, which adds to the pain and irritation. Other back problems that can cause sciatica are tumors, internal bleeding and women can sometimes suffer during pregnancy.
Treatment for Sciatica
Rest may be prescribed by your doctor initially, but usually only for a short period. This is to try and reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve and any resulting inflammation.
There are many different types of medication that can be used to deal with the pain of sciatica. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are very good at helping people with sciatica pain and are prescribed often by specialists in dealing with sciatic nerve problems.
Muscle relaxants can also be used to reduce any inflammation that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Stretching exercises can be great for helping people recover from sciatica and improving flexibility.
Physical exercise is good for your overall health and well-being, however, for sciatica sufferers, exercise can also reduce the pain and help to maintain flexibility.
Hot packs are used to reduce inflammation and ice packs can be used to relieve pain, both are very good forms of treatment for sciatica.
An epidural steroid injection can sometimes be used to delivers anti-inflammatory medication rapidly to the area surrounding the nerves of the spine.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a very good form of long term treatment and can help people dealing with chronic sciatica.
In many cases, the above treatments can be effective to varying levels. However, for some people, the only option is surgery. Obviously, the type of surgery will depend on what is actually causing the sciatic nerve to be compressed. Surgical procedures such as discectomy, spinal fusion and laminectomy can all help with the underlying spine conditions that are causing the pain of sciatica.
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Sciatica pain can be very destructive to anybody's health . To learn more about sciatica treatment and how to conquer your back pain problems, visit our website to find out more.
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