|

Translate/Traduisez/Übersetzen Sie/Traduzca/Traduca/Traduza:

The term “sciatica” refers to pain along a specific nerve – the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down through each leg. It usually caused by a wayward vertebral disc, more commonly referred to as a pinched nerve or a herniated, ruptured, or slipped disc that has shifted from it’s normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root), which connects to the sciatic nerve.

The intensity and duration of the pain varies with each person, and ranges from an infrequent and slightly irritating sensation to a constant, debilitating pain. It normally affects the lower back and one leg only, but pain may also extend to the feet and toes. Typical “flare-ups” last two weeks to a few months. During these episodes, sufferers have several options for sciatica pain relief.

At-home remedies such as heat and ice packs often work wonders to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. They should be used in twenty minute intervals every couple of hours for optimum effect. Over-the-counter or prescription medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also bring sciatica pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be particularly helpful in reducing inflammation, but can have painful side effects.

If pain is severe, a patient may receive an epidural steroid injection. Steroids are injected directly into the painful area around the nerve and greatly reduce inflammation and pain. These injections are temporary and provide sciatic pain relief anywhere from one week to a year.

Physical therapy and chiropractic care ease the painful symptoms of sciatica and work as correctives to prevent future recurrences of the condition by helping to strengthen and tone the lower back.

If pain persists for two to three months and the aforementioned treatments have not worked, surgery may be the most effective solution. Sufferers and their doctors must choose between two surgical procedures performed to relieved the pain of sciatica. These surgeries are elective and effective, relieving 75% to 95% of patients’ pain.

Article Keywords: Pain Relief

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Pain Relief... Does Heel Pain Need Surgery? If, after several months of non-surgical treatment Many things can slow down your active lifestyle, but heel pain can definitely bring it to a stop. Rest assured, heel pain does not mean an end to your active lifestyle or the start of a chronic problem. Of the injuries commonly seen in the Sports Podiatry clinic, pain in the heel region is one of the most common. Nonoperative care for heel pain provides satisfactory treatment for 90 percent of patients. High heels can put heavy pressure on the front of your foot and can lead to bunions, heel pain and other foot problems. Full support around the heel & arch areas is essential in the case of heel spur pain. Ignoring heel pain can cause a mild case to become a long-term and debilitating condition. "Most surgical procedures for treating heel pain involve cutting the plantar fascia," Johnson said. "Shock-wave therapy is not the first line of attack for heel pain," Johnson stressed. Bone spurs in the heel can accompany plantar fasciitis, but are generally not the source of the pain. Treatments that are used to reduce heel pain seem to bring only marginal gains over no treatment and control therapies such as stretching exercises. No more arch supports or night splints are necessary to achieve foot pain relief with Heel-Right. Achilles tendon problems can contribute to heel pain. Podiatrists love using orthotics to treat your heel pain but some orthopedists have a bias against them. During the treatment the device is aimed at the heel and 2000 shocks are directed at the painful area. But for those with persistent heel pain, podiatric foot and ankle surgeons are the experts to consult for determining the most appropriate treatments. In addition, a non-invasive technique, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, also is effective...