Sciatica refers to pain that is caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back down through the feet. It normally gets better within 4 to 7 days but may take longer for certain people. The compression or irritation of this nerve may be due to different factors such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, disc degeneration and sprains. Pain usually develops gradually with the progression of the disease. However, some people do experience sudden sharp pain from the area. In such instances one needs to consult a doctor immediately.
Sciatica can occur due to any reason. A herniated disc occurs when the inner ring of the vertebral arch becomes distorted or weak. Such a disc herniates, causing severe pressure on the nerves running down through the legs and feet. A spinal stenosis happens when the spinal cord becomes swollen or irritated. This can occur either at the site of the injury or at the site of the degeneration of discs.
Sprains can occur either on the back or the buttocks. Sprains occur if you have been exercising hard, especially for long periods of time. If you are sitting or standing for a long period of time then your body needs to be given time to get accustomed to the change. Usually, sprains last for six weeks and one have to wait for the symptoms to disappear before starting the exercise process again. If you want to speed up the recovery time then you can increase the amount of time for the exercises.
A herniated or pinched disk can occur either in your low back or your buttocks. Such disks can be inflamed due to many reasons such as lifting heavy objects, wrong posture or having a bad back ailment. Sciatica vcan occur from a herniated disk if the force on the disk is so great that it causes extreme pain. Your doctor may give you a mild anti-inflammatory drug to reduce the inflammation. Swelling can be managed with an ice pack wrapped around the lower leg and left for half an hour.
In order to treat your sciatica properly you will have to strengthen your back muscles by performing exercises that improve muscle strength. You will need to start gradually and you should also rest your leg after every session. This will help to prevent any additional strain on the injured area. One should not perform exercises that involve direct pressure on the sciatic area without the supervision of a professional. Doctors prefer to prescribe exercises and stretches that ease the symptoms rather than force them to get better.
Once you have been diagnosed with a chronic sciatica condition then you can plan a suitable course of treatment. Most doctors recommend exercises for people who are over 50 years old and who are overweight. You will also need to take your medication on time and not ignore any symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms you should see your doctor as soon as possible:
Feeling of numbness or tingling in either one or both legs, or a pain or burning sensation in either the lower or upper leg. Sciatica symptoms may feel worse if you stand for a long period of time or are doing very strenuous activities. Lumbar pain or back pain that does not respond to treatment. You may feel a strong urge to urinate at anytime, especially when lying down. The pain in the legs may feel worse when wearing light shoes.
Treatment of sciatica will involve the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and also physical therapy to help strengthen the affected areas. A doctor may suggest physical therapy to relieve the symptoms immediately, but if you do not feel your best, you should talk to him about trying an alternative form of treatment that does not involve drugs or surgery. He will probably recommend that you do physical therapy first, before recommending anti-inflammatory medicine or surgery. If you choose surgery, you should discuss with your doctor about the side effects of anesthesia and how long the operation will take to heal you, and whether you will be able to return to work after the procedure.
