Sciatica is low back pain and it often combines with a pain radiating through
the buttock and down one leg. The leg pain often continues to spread past the
knee and may go up to the foot. Sciatica
indicates itself with weakness in the leg muscles and limping. The pain is
actually a shooting one, like electricity. It can range from slightly annoying
to unbearable. In some cases, the pain is felt in one part of the leg and
numbness in another part of the same leg.
Irritation of the sciatic nerve
is the cause of sciatica. It is
found that occasionally the pain will suddenly begin after lifting something
heavy or moving quickly.
The following may be identified as the causes of sciatica:
• Herniated Disc: Discs act like
cushions between bones in the back. They are shock absorbers when we move, bend and
lift. There is a touch ring around the outside and a thick jellylike center
remains inside. When the outer edge of the disc ruptures, the center pushes through
and puts pressure on the sciatic nerve
that ultimately leads to the pain of sciatica.
• With growing age, the bone can
overgrow and put pressure on the sciatic
nerve.
• Spondylolisthesis,
a condition where one backbone slips forward or backward over another backbone
often results in pressure on the sciatic
nerve.
• Sciatica can also result from
osteoarthritis and fractures due to osteoporosis.
• Women often found experiencing sciatica
during pregnancy.
Risk factors of Sciatica:
• Arthritis and degenerating discs are risk factors for sciatica.
• Excessive weight, especially in the abdomen area, increases stress
on the spine.
• A sedentary lifestyle, prolonged sitting are risk factors for
sciatica.
Home remedies for Sciatica:
• Don’t bend, lift in a wrong manner, or sit on a soft, low chair. If
you already have the pain, these only make it worse.
• Over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen, aspirin or
ibuprofen may help ease
the pain on one condition of not having allergy from any of those mentioned.
• A cold pack may help the pain. If it is not available, a large bag of frozen vegetables
will work or take an ice cube and massage the sore areas in a triangular
pattern. After the cold massage you may alter it with heat, from an electric
heating pad to see any better result. But never sleep with a heating pad on the
back, as it would cause a bad burn.
• In absence of electric pad, put a hand towel in hot water, wring it
out and place on the back.
• The affected person may feel better lying on his or her back on a firm
surface having a pillow under his or her knees. One may
also lie on one’s side
with a pillow between the knees to keep the back straight.
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