A majority of the population suffers from back pain sometime in their lives. But, very few actually understand or are aware of the level of pain and discomfort associated with the type of back pain known as Sciatica. Or, you may know exactly what it feels like and know very well what it means to have your life changed. Do you have a shooting pain down your buttocks and leg? You may also experience a tingling or numbness. If your doctor says that its due to Sciatica you may be a bit confused. For Sciatica is not actually a condition but more of a medical term used to describe the aforementioned symptoms caused by a low back condition.
Sciatica is often characterized by pain from the the upper part of the buttocks down one or both legs and can be very painful especially when sitting. The degree of pain and discomfort can range from a numbness or a tingling feeling to severe chronic pain that can be debilitating. This level of severity prevents people from working and living a normal life.
Sciatica usually occurs in people between the ages of thirty and fifty years of age. Contrary to what most believe, the result of sciatica is often not due to a particular event or injury but rather the sciatic pain over a period of time that develops as a result of general wear and tear of the structures of the lower spine.
Many sufferers and medical professionals support a multi-faceted treatment plan. While any plan will usually include physical therapy, chiropractic visits, pharmaceutical medication, spinal injections and even surgery, one uniquely effective aspect is often overlooked which is specially orchestrated stretching exercises. When performed as a treatment these sciatica stretches can be very effective.
The most common cause of sciatica is from a bulging disc or herniated disc. When the disc bulges, the gel like center pushes against the disc's outer wall. In a herniated disc, the nucleus pulpous actually breaks through the narrow passage ways. In reference to both bulging and herniated discs, it's the material of the disc that presses against the nerve roots causing sciatica.
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.
There are some simple natural methods that can be used to prevent and even alleviate the pain that includes standing straight and keeping up a good posture. If you're like many who sit at a desk all day then, you should try sitting up straight and ensure that any computer screens are placed at eye level. Most importantly, when lifting any heavy objects make sure you lift using your leg muscles and keep the object close to your body. Whatever you do, never use your back to lift heavy items.
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.
