Home - Article Writing - Web Content - Press Release - Jobs - Directory - Search:

Low back sciatic nerve: Facts and Myths

By: Walter Kopal

What is lower back sciatica? What is lower back sciatica? The term sciatica portrays the symptoms of leg pain and possibly itchy, numbness or weakness that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. The medical analysis of sciatica is referred to as a "radiculopathy", which means simply that a disc has obtruded from its regular location in the vertebral column and is laying pressure on the radicular nerve in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is created by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body, about the diameter of a finger. An important matter to understand is that sciatica is a symptom of a trouble -- of something squeezing or annoying the nerve roots that comprises the sciatic nerve. Sciatica arises most commonly in people among 30 and 50 years of age. It leans to develop as a outcome of general wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine.

Most sciatica pain syndromes result from soreness and will get better within two weeks to a hardly any months. Also, since the spinal cord is not present in the lower (lumbar) spine, a herniated disc in this part of the anatomy does not present a danger of paralysis.

# Progressive weakness in the leg
# Bladder/bowel incontinence or dysfunction

Often there is not a precise distressing event or action coupled with the onset of sciatica. Standing, sitting, heavy lifting, sneezing, or having a bowel movement may aggravate the pain. Lying down is mostly the most relaxed position. Intermittently parenthesis, weakness and diminished bowel or bladder function will accompany sciatica, but these are rare symptoms. Sciatica causes pain, burning sensation, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back and upper buttock along the back of the thigh to the back of the leg. Severe sciatica can make walking difficult if not intolerable. Sometimes the indications of sciatica are worsened by walking or bending at the waist and relieved by lying down.

True sciatica arises when the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated and the pain down the sciatic nerve is caused by this nerve (radicular pain) and is called a radiculopathy. When the pain is referred to the leg from a joint problem (called referred pain), using the word sciatica is not technically acceptable. Nerve root tension tests can be used to confirm the presence of sciatica by trying to reproduce the soreness with certain movements and body positions. These tests are performed by a doctor and include moving the legs in specific ways that slightly extend the sciatic nerve. Physical therapy and a home program of extending and strengthening exercises are very useful in letting a patient to return to full activity.

The lifetime prevalence of low back pain is 50-70%, and 5-10% of patients with low back pain have sciatica. For the first few days it is vitally significant to stay off your feet as much as possible. The most awful thing you can do is get up and down frequently as this causes the nerve to become more annoyed. Although soaking in warm baths relieve and reduce the pain, do not use heating pads at first while the nerve is inflamed. Prolonged heat depicts the tenderness in, keeping the swelling high. Most doctors tell their patients to apply ice packs directly on the lower back region for about twenty minutes at a time, each couple of hours. Although this can sense like torment, the cold pack helps bring down swelling. Mineral ice is also great at soothing the pain and offering short-term relief. There are some different treatments available that you might find helpful. Acupressure and acupuncture, herbal therapies, homeopathy and biofeedback and guided imagery are just a few.

Article Source: http://www.articlecontentprovider.com/articlesubmit

What is lower back sciatica? What is lower back sciatica? The term sciatica portrays the symptoms of leg pain and possibly itchy, numbness or weakness that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg

If you'd like to read about Sciatica medicine please logon to back pain sciatic nerve site or Low back pain sciatica.

Freelance Jobs

Please Rate this Article

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Articles Via RSS!









Need Articles or Content written for you?
Article Directory Toplist