| Ever wonder where sciatica pain comes | | | | benefit from the use of non-steroidal |
| from?Sciatica PainFelt by at a reported forty | | | | anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs). NSAIDs |
| percent of people at least once during their | | | | such as ibuprofen and naproxen reduce |
| life time, sciatica pain can be excruciating | | | | inflammation around the sciatic nerve which |
| and incapacitating for some. Severe burning | | | | decreases the pressure and relieves the pain. |
| sensations, deeply throbbing aches, or sharp | | | | Heat compresses and ice packs often can |
| stabbing pains experienced by individuals | | | | provide some relief as well. Both heat and |
| stems from irritation of the sciatic nerve. | | | | ice help muscle spasms which in turn can ease |
| This nerve follows a path beginning at the | | | | some of the pressure on the sciatic nerve. |
| base of the spine, runs through the buttocks | | | | Gentle stretching can also provide some |
| and continues through the leg and calf before | | | | relief from the pain, but it is important to |
| ending in the foot. Sciatica pain can occur | | | | discontinue the movement if it causes any |
| anywhere along the route of the sciatic | | | | pain.Sometimes self treatment is not enough |
| nerve.The most common type of sciatica pain | | | | and the sciatica pain persists. A medical |
| is felt in the buttocks and radiates down the | | | | professional can prescribe more potent NSAIDs |
| back of one leg, but others have complained | | | | or if this does not provide enough pain |
| of deep aches in the calves and feet as well. | | | | relief, a brief burst of oral steroids can be |
| The pain can worsen when standing after | | | | prescribed. Steroids such as prednisone can |
| sitting for a long period of time.Possible | | | | give dramatic results, but long term use can |
| Causes of Sciatica Pain While there are many | | | | cause other health problems. For very severe |
| causes of sciatica pain, the common factor | | | | pain, steroids can be administered as an |
| they share is that somehow the sciatic nerve | | | | epidural. Introducing the steroid directly |
| is being irritated. Most commonly, a spinal | | | | into the spine can ease pain quickly and last |
| disc has shifted and is being compressed, | | | | longer. Depending on the cause of the |
| causing pressure on the sciatic nerve. This | | | | sciatica, surgery may be recommended. In the |
| condition is referred to a herniated or | | | | case of osteoarthritis, bone spurs can form |
| bulging disc. Another cause may be spasms in | | | | and narrow the spinal canal. Removal of the |
| the piriformis muscle that is located in the | | | | bone spurs can ease the pressure on the |
| hip, again putting pressure on the nerve. | | | | sciatic nerve and relieve the pain.How long |
| Less common causes include spinal stenosis, a | | | | will the pain last?Many individuals report |
| narrowing of openings in the spine, cancer, | | | | they have been able to resume normal |
| and infection. Many times diagnosing the | | | | activities within one to two months. Sciatica |
| cause of the sciatica can make for a more | | | | pain seems to peak within the first couple of |
| effective treatment.Relieving the | | | | weeks then gradually decreases. It is not |
| PainTreating sciatica pain can be as simple | | | | unusual, however, to experience set backs |
| as taking ibuprofen and doing some simple | | | | with the pain getting worse before it gets |
| stretches. Milder bouts of sciatica pain can | | | | better. |