More than 80% of all people will suffer from some form of back pain in their lives however, relatively few understand the excruciating pain and discomfort associated with a particular type of back pain known as Sciatica. Sciatica is often a difficult condition to diagnose or to treat. Sufferers complain of a variety of symptoms from a distracting numbness or tingling to a severe and chronic pain. Those suffering at a chronic level express a constant pain that radiates down the buttocks and legs. It not only can cause pain and discomfort but, over time it can result in loss of feeling.

The primary problem suffers of sciatica face is that the underlying causes tend to worsen over time. Eventually, those suffering from sciatica just hurt all the time and face a great deal of difficulty simply getting around. It can get to the point where there's no effective treatment, including surgery, therefore prevention becomes a key factor in your sciatica treatment.

If your one of the many suffering from sciatica then, you know what it's doing to your life. You begin to consider every little movement and how it will effect you. The pain begins to increase and eventually your in pain all the time or on so much pain medication you can't even function. Even your relationships are affected and you find yourself not able to do the things you love with friends and family. This causes depression and mood swings....and you find yourself not being fun to be with.

Sciatica nerve pain is primarily caused by a combination of pressure and inflammation of the root nerve and treatment is focused on relieving both of these factors. Traditional sciatica treatment involves both non-surgical and surgical methods. Non-surgical sciatica treatment primarily includes a combination of medical treatments and alternative processes that includes some form of stretching and exercises. The goals of this form of non-surgical treatment is intended to both relief sciatica pain and prevent future occurrence.

There can be many causes of Sciatica. Sciatica primarily occurs when the nerve in the lower spine becomes pinched or pressure from inflammation. Also, a slipped disc is a common factor in causing Sciatica. Additionally, arthritis or a sprained ligament can narrow the passageways of the nerves resulting in the nerve endings becoming tender and inflamed. Rare occurrences include abscess, blood clots, tumors or other growths.

There are many natural methods to prevent or even relieve some of the pain including standing straight and maintaining a good posture. Keeping your back straight while sitting and with just a slight curve tends to significantly help those who sit at a desk all day. One very important method of prevention is to use your leg muscles when lifting heavy objects and keep the object close to your body without bending over.

The biggest misconception regarding sciatica pain is that many who feel that by reducing the inflammation the pain goes away and the condition is resolved. However, what they learn is that over time the condition not only returns but even worsens. At this point, the disc has experienced some level of degeneration. The best solution is to repair the disc and not just focus on alleviating the pain.

A very common misunderstanding about sciatica pain is that many who use oral medication and other temporary means to relieve pain feel that because the pain is gone the condition has been repaired. The truth of the matter is that if the disc is not repaired then the degeneration can continue and the pain returns with even more intensity. The most effective means to alleviate the pain for good is to repair the disc using precise sciatica stretches and exercises that helps the body to actually repair itself.