Suffering from Lower Back Pain?
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to the pain in the lower part of the back or the legs that is caused due to undue pressure on the sciatica nerve. The sciatica nerve is the longest nerve in the human body which runs down the back, the hips and the back of the legs. Sciatica is essentially a symptom of another underlying cause rather than disease itself.
Sciatica refers to the pain in the lower part of the back or the legs that is caused due to undue pressure on the sciatica nerve. The sciatica nerve is the longest nerve in the human body which runs down the back, the hips and the back of the legs. Sciatica is essentially a symptom of another underlying cause rather than disease itself.
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Causes of Sciatica
The sciatica nerve controls various functions of legs in our body. Sciatica occurs when there is damage to the sciatica nerve. Your sciatica nerve may be damaged as a result of slipped disc, also called as herniated disc. Other common causes of damage to the sciatica nerve are lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, tumors of the spine and trauma arising out of an accident, etc.
There are certain factors which increase the risk of sciatica. These include:
• Age - The risk of sciatica increases after the age of 40 years.
• Occupational risk - Jobs involving lifting heavy loads or sitting for long hours in a vehicle or behind a desk increase the risk of sciatica.
• Diabetes - Diabetes increases the risk of sciatica.
The sciatica nerve controls various functions of legs in our body. Sciatica occurs when there is damage to the sciatica nerve. Your sciatica nerve may be damaged as a result of slipped disc, also called as herniated disc. Other common causes of damage to the sciatica nerve are lumbar spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, tumors of the spine and trauma arising out of an accident, etc.
There are certain factors which increase the risk of sciatica. These include:
• Age - The risk of sciatica increases after the age of 40 years.
• Occupational risk - Jobs involving lifting heavy loads or sitting for long hours in a vehicle or behind a desk increase the risk of sciatica.
• Diabetes - Diabetes increases the risk of sciatica.
Symptoms of Sciatica
The symptoms of sciatica differ from person to person. The symptoms can include mild pain or a tingling sensation in the legs to acute pain, which can make you unable to walk or stand.
The symptoms of sciatica differ from person to person. The symptoms can include mild pain or a tingling sensation in the legs to acute pain, which can make you unable to walk or stand.
Some common symptoms of sciatica are:
• Pain- Pain travelling from lower spine down the hips and the back of legs usually signals sciatica.
• Numbness- Sciatica often leads to numbness in one or both the legs along with a feeling of weakness.
• Tingling sensation- You may experience a tingling sensation in your toes, feet or legs if you are suffering from sciatica.
• Incontinence- In rare cases, sciatica may be accompanied by incontinence. This is an emergency condition and must be referred to a doctor immediately.
Usually, a physical examination is enough to diagnose sciatica. Physical examination which reveals all or any of the following may signal the problem of sciatica:
• Weak foot movement.
• Weak reflexes.
• Difficulty in lifting one or both the legs.
• Pain while bending the foot backward or forward.
In some, the doctor may perform additional tests to diagnose the problem of chronic sciatica. This includes x-ray, MRI and CT scan.
• Pain- Pain travelling from lower spine down the hips and the back of legs usually signals sciatica.
• Numbness- Sciatica often leads to numbness in one or both the legs along with a feeling of weakness.
• Tingling sensation- You may experience a tingling sensation in your toes, feet or legs if you are suffering from sciatica.
• Incontinence- In rare cases, sciatica may be accompanied by incontinence. This is an emergency condition and must be referred to a doctor immediately.
Usually, a physical examination is enough to diagnose sciatica. Physical examination which reveals all or any of the following may signal the problem of sciatica:
• Weak foot movement.
• Weak reflexes.
• Difficulty in lifting one or both the legs.
• Pain while bending the foot backward or forward.
In some, the doctor may perform additional tests to diagnose the problem of chronic sciatica. This includes x-ray, MRI and CT scan.
Treatment of Sciatica
In most cases, treatment of sciatica involves self care measures. However, in cases of acute sciatica, some other measures may be adopted by the doctor to cure sciatica, which include:
• Physical therapy- Physical therapy involves strengthening the muscles of your back and improving the overall posture of the body. Physical therapy is usually required over a long period of time to deliver tangible results.
• Hot and cold treatment- This is the most popular cure for sciatica. Ice packs are applied to the affected area followed by hot treatment.
• Medicines- In cases of acute sciatica, certain medications may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and as a short-term sciatica cure.
In most cases, treatment of sciatica involves self care measures. However, in cases of acute sciatica, some other measures may be adopted by the doctor to cure sciatica, which include:
• Physical therapy- Physical therapy involves strengthening the muscles of your back and improving the overall posture of the body. Physical therapy is usually required over a long period of time to deliver tangible results.
• Hot and cold treatment- This is the most popular cure for sciatica. Ice packs are applied to the affected area followed by hot treatment.
• Medicines- In cases of acute sciatica, certain medications may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and as a short-term sciatica cure.
Medication of Sciatica
In case of severe pain, physicians prescribe strong medicines like a narcotic- Codeine, Vicodin and morphine for sciatica relief.
In case of severe pain, physicians prescribe strong medicines like a narcotic- Codeine, Vicodin and morphine for sciatica relief.
Self-medication of Sciatica
If you are suffering from sciatica, you can take certain over-the-counter pain relief medicines like acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and certain other tricyclic antidepressants. However, it is best to consult your physician.
In most cases, the best way to get sciatica relief is sciatica home treatment. Once diagnosed with sciatica, it is important to make certain lifestyle modifications to prevent flare ups. Sciatica treatment at home includes:
• Regular exercise- Prolonged bed rest is not the answer to sciatica. It is often caused by prolonged sitting. Therefore, you need to have a regular exercise schedule to prevent extra strain on your sciatica nerve. Regular exercise also helps in providing immediate sciatica relief.
• Prevent triggers- It is important to identify the trigger for your sciatica pain. It could be lifting heavy weights, bending, etc. You need to prevent these triggers as much as possible.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights- Lifting heavy weights puts undue pressure on the sciatica nerve and must be avoided.
• Physical therapy- Regular physical therapy is important to strengthen the muscles in your back. Physical therapy as a measure for back pain treatment is one of the most popular sciatica remedies.
In certain cases, preventing sciatica is not entirely possible. However, the lifestyle modifications suggested above, such as regular exercise and avoiding prolonged sitting are known to reduce the risk of sciatica.
If you are suffering from sciatica, you can take certain over-the-counter pain relief medicines like acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and certain other tricyclic antidepressants. However, it is best to consult your physician.
In most cases, the best way to get sciatica relief is sciatica home treatment. Once diagnosed with sciatica, it is important to make certain lifestyle modifications to prevent flare ups. Sciatica treatment at home includes:
• Regular exercise- Prolonged bed rest is not the answer to sciatica. It is often caused by prolonged sitting. Therefore, you need to have a regular exercise schedule to prevent extra strain on your sciatica nerve. Regular exercise also helps in providing immediate sciatica relief.
• Prevent triggers- It is important to identify the trigger for your sciatica pain. It could be lifting heavy weights, bending, etc. You need to prevent these triggers as much as possible.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights- Lifting heavy weights puts undue pressure on the sciatica nerve and must be avoided.
• Physical therapy- Regular physical therapy is important to strengthen the muscles in your back. Physical therapy as a measure for back pain treatment is one of the most popular sciatica remedies.
In certain cases, preventing sciatica is not entirely possible. However, the lifestyle modifications suggested above, such as regular exercise and avoiding prolonged sitting are known to reduce the risk of sciatica.
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