Ben's Health Blog

Our brain is the origin of sciatic nerve from where running through the entire length of the spine it reaches the hips. It then divides into two and the branch of this nerve continues down in the left and right leg. If due to any reason this sciatic nerve is irritated or pressurized then it causes lower back pain or pain in one or both legs. This pressure in sciatic nerve can also cause weakness in the muscle and pins as well as needles, even in feet. Such symptoms clearly show that you are suffering from Sciatica.

In every patient the symptoms can vary as the pain level actually depends on the intensity of pressure as well as on the location where the pressure is placed on the sciatic.

Even the underlying reasons for sciatica may be different in different cases so the sciatic nerve treatment is recommended by your doctor on the basis of how your problem is diagnosed.

In order to treat sciatica the traditional medicines have not shown any remarkable results. In other words, these medicines have failed to treat it. Some patients report recurrence of sciatica even after surgery and this recurrence happens within a year or so.

Painkillers and analgesics are good for temporary relief but if the case is severe then the sciatic pain will not be alleviated completely.

Some patients opt make their way to physiotherapists as well as chiropractors as they find respite from massage as well as bone manipulation but this is also a temporary solution. As a result the sciatic sufferers have to return for more treatments.

Some people even try acupuncture but only some get relief but again this is not a long term solution. In case of acupuncture there are pin holes in the skin as well as underlying tissue make the body to mainly focus on fixing that location. While fixing any damage brought on by the pins, at the same time the body will fix other damage in that area too. This will not repair ruptured or slipped disk which is the most typical causes of sciatic pain.

I personally like the self administered treatment options such as application of hot as well as cold packs on the lower back that not only relieve pain but it also helps in subsiding swelling of the sciatic nerve and tissues around it. It also increases the flow of the blood to the affected area which helps in quick recovery.

If you have severe pain then obviously you would not mind taking painkillers and some bed rest to feel better but it is important not to prolong this treatment for more than two days. this is because of the side effects as well as the use of painkiller can mask the source of your problem. On the other hand, prolong bed rest can cause the muscle to atrophy as well as it can cause more sciatica and other problems of back.

Stretching the muscle of lower back, buttocks as well as hamstrings can be helpful in this regard. This will result in increased flexibility and it will decrease the strain on the sciatic nerve. Reduced pressure will result in relief from pain. It is good to continue the stretching of muscles for reducing any tightness in the muscle but also do mild exercise like walk or swimming with it. Your focus on strengthening the abdomen and lower back muscles is must too. The yoga and Pilates are good for strengthening and stretching of muscles.

All this will not only help in supporting the spine but it will also relief pressure on the sciatic nerve which will not cause recurrence of sciatic pains.

If you want the best and long term solution to treat sciatica then you need to change your lifestyle and must not look for surgery, painkillers and massage to fix it quickly.