What is Sciatica and can it be treated?
Sciatica pain is a direct result from inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The pain is felt from the lower back area, and down through the pack of your thigh. The pain will usually go down to just below the knee. Sometimes it can be felt in the foot, ankle and calf area. This nerve is the third largest in your body. Sciatica is almost always caused by a disc herniation, which then puts pressure on a nerve.
In the past, it was bed rest that was the best option for this type of pain. Today doctors just want you to avoid certain physical activities while it heals. Also doing some light stretching a light activity that can help you work though the pain.
If you suffer from sciatic pain, you are not alone. And fortunately there are many ways to treat sciatica out there for people suffering with this pain. A lot of people ask how to treat sciatica, and luckily I have some answers. You can always opt to go with surgery, but there are non-surgical treatments as well. You could have ultra sound or deep tissue massages. Heat and cold compresses are used to relax the muscle. Therapy will also help you by increasing your range of motion, your flexibility and build stronger muscles.
You can also see a Chiropractor for adjustments as well. Adjustments will help with easing the irritation that causes the muscle spasms and pain caused by sciatica.
Acupuncture is also another way to go if you don’t want to opt for surgery. Needs are inserted to unblock energy being blocked in the body. These blocked portions are what causes the pain. When using acupuncture you “release” the pain.
If you like to do Yoga, you’re in luck. It has been shown that Yoga will relieve some of your sciatic pain, as it is a great form of exercise that encompasses the use of different poses that stretch the muscle, as well as lengthen them. Also when you do Yoga, you learn proper breathing techniques while doing the exercises.
Finally some other ways to help prevent sciatic pain are:
Do not stand or sit very long in the same position
Stretch or exercise on a regular basis
Do living safely
Do not carry a wallet in your back pant pocket
Sleep on your back on a pillow under your knees
Do frequent ab exercises to help keep your stomach muscles strong and in shape
Make sure the shoes you wear are always very comfortable and fit well