Back Pain: Understanding Sciatica Pain for a Cure

By CaSandra Poulos

To find the cure for sciatica you first have to start understanding its nature. This seems to be a very simple task but there a number of people who interpret sciatica as a simple back problem. However, it is different compared to a regular backache. Sciatica can be described as a piercing kind of pain and electric shocks and aches. This is from the inflammation that starts from the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the main nerve that conducts sensory functions from the lower spine all the way down to the feet.
The role of the sciatic nerve in the human body is very crucial as it is responsible for relaying information to the brain. It is responsible for coordinating movement control and sensory responses of the legs and feet. There are many probable reasons for the onset of sciatica. The most common disorder is known as a herniated spinal disc. The disc serves as a cushion to the spine vertebra. However, if the disc slips out of its original place, it occupies the space designated for the nerves. Compression starts, and sciatica develops. Other examples of conditions that trigger sciatica are piriformis syndrome and spinal stenosis.
The cure for sciatica is never the same for all victims. Sciatica is a symptom of an underlying cause. The first step towards a sciatica cure is finding out the specific condition. Consult an experienced physician regarding sciatica. Creating an effective cure will begin with a complete medical history evaluation, followed by medical examinations like an X-ray and MRI. These tests are given only if the doctor deems them to be necessary.
To cure sciatica is to address the inflammation. Medical experts recommend simple bed rest and avoiding strenuous activities. Medications for anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxing purposes are often prescribed to the patient. In severe cases of sciatica, oral steroids for a more aggressive dosage of anti-inflammation are prescribed. Patients may also opt for an epidural steroid injection. This can be a direct anti-inflammatory cure for sciatica. Some conservative patients of sciatica prefer heat and ice packs application to the irritated area to cure the pain.
Addressing the pain and inflammation are partial cures of sciatica. Many health professionals encourage patients to conduct carefully designed exercises mixed in with physical therapy sessions. This will help prevent future sciatica episodes.
A surgical procedure for the sciatica cure is probably the final option for patients. In a number of instances, surgical treatment is not needed. However, it needs to be seriously considered if sciatica is not cured after around three to four months of following non-surgical cure approaches.
Sciatica surgery aims to avoid compression, therefore providing the usual space for the sciatic nerve to function normally. The surgeon may need to clear a bone surrounding the nerve or remove a damaged disc. Fortunately, a good percentage of people are fully cured from sciatica without needing to undergo surgery. These are the people whose sciatic nerves are not injured permanently. The time frame to cure sciatica pain is from three weeks to a couple of months for most cases. Sciatica in a mild or moderate form is not considered a medical emergency but the pain and discomfort it brings can impede someone from living a normal life. Therefore, the best bet is to seek the advice of your doctor when you have the first symptoms of sciatica and then learn as much as you can about the treatment options that are bast for you.
CaSandra Poulos is the author of "Cure For Sciatica: The Definitive Guide to Sciatica Pain and Treatment" and offers a free "Cure For Sciatica" email mini-course at [http://www.cureforsciaticapain.org]
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