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