Traditional and Alternative Therapies for Curing Sciatica

By Kathy Lister

How you go about curing sciatica depends on the nature of the original problem. Sciatica is caused by an irritation or a pressure on the Lumbar-5 nerve, also called the sciatic nerve, which is a long nerve that runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and into the legs. The irritation can be caused by changes of the structure of the vertebrae, the building blocks of the spine, from injury, or from the herniation, bulging, or rupturing of one of the vertebral discs. These discs are located between the vertebrae in the spinal column, and they serve as a cushioning agent when you bend or move. If the nerve is impinged upon by the discs, the symptoms may present themselves as a tingling, a weakness, or a numbness in the affected areas, or as a pain that radiates up the back, down into the buttocks, and down the side of one or both legs. Although some cases are relatively minor and don't affect the person adversely, the pain caused by sciatica can also be excruciating, causing a loss of movement and the ability to bend or walk effectively.
Traditional Therapies
If your healthcare provider is a traditional, Western medicine doctor, he will probably recommend a conventional treatment, such as medication. The first choice is over-the-counter remedies, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. These help reduce the pain and start to repair tissue at the same time. Muscle relaxants have a relaxing effect on the whole body and can be helpful for short-term use, and the stronger narcotics are medications of last resort. Physicians recommend using as little of a medication as works, and for the shortest time possible. Be proactive, though - follow your doctor's advice, but always ask about possible side effects, too. You should always be prepared.
Alternative Therapies
Not all people respond well to traditional treatments. Alternative treatments and CAM (Complimentary and Alternative Medicine) centers are becoming more popular among the general public for getting relief from their sciatica. Although nontraditional therapies generally do not have scientific documentation of their benefits and safety, they have a long history of anecdotal evidence, and many people find them helpful. In fact, some centers are establishing themselves within the traditional medical sphere, at hospitals and clinics, and the like. Always check with your own doctor before starting any therapy, traditional or alternative, but the procedures described here are generally considered safe for people who don't have other serious medical conditions.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years, and has been making serious inroads in the traditional medical community of many countries, including the United States. Traditional Oriental acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy force, called "ki," which includes body, mind, spirit, and emotion runs through the body. If this energy flow is disrupted, diseases and other disorders occur. By placing small needles into certain spots on the body where blood and body energy converge, and by twirling, lifting, rotating, or making other precise movements, the balance can be restored to the body. Chinese acupuncture is one part of an entire complex tradition of holistic healing. Medical acupuncture uses similar methods; however, medical acupuncturists focus on the physical aspects rather than restoring balance to the energy force running through the body. Whether you choose a traditional Chinese acupuncturist or a modern medical acupuncturist is a matter of choice.
Related to acupuncture, acupressure treats the same points within the body with pressure from the hand or fingers, or with an instrument fitted with a rounded head instead of needles. The results of this treatment are similar to those of acupuncture.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors can't prescribe drugs, take blood, or do any invasive procedures; however, they should take a medical history and perform a physical examination just as a medical doctor does, and they can order X-rays, CAT scans and other diagnostic examinations to determine if there is a problem with the sciatic nerve. Chiropractors manipulate the entire body, with the spine as their specialty, and the nature of their spinal adjustment treatment depends on the exact cause of the sciatica. The doctor will generally press on your spine to relieve irritated nerves and increase movement in your joints. If the problem stems from a disc problem, the chiropractic approach to is to relieve pressure to ease pain and help restore better motion to the spinal joint.
Hypnosis
This term comes from the Greek word meaning "to sleep," although therapeutic techniques do not involve putting the patient to sleep. The main purpose of hypnosis for people with sciatica is for the therapist to help them change the way they feel and respond to painful stimuli. If he can convince the patient that the pain is either there or is simply a background distraction, the patient can feel relief from that pain. It is important to note that hypnosis can't cure sciatica or repair or heal a ruptured disc, but it can provide some much needed relief.
Once you have been diagnosed properly, curing sciatica, or at least reducing the pain and discomfort, can be accomplished by a number of alternative and/or traditional treatments. Make sure to ask your healthcare provider what the right treatment is for you.
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Treating Diabetes and Sciatica

By Amee LaTour

According to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, over 8% of the U.S. population suffers from diabetes. This number is on the rise, with the CDC reporting that a third of children born in 2000 are expected to develop the disease at some point in their lives. Sedentary lifestyles and poor diets are responsible for the increasing rate of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most prevalent. Type 1 occurs due to an immune disorder that leads to the destruction of cells that produce insulin in the body. Type 2 diabetes is associated with either a lack of insulin production or the body's inability to use insulin properly. Insulin is responsible for moving glucose from the blood into cells. A deficiency of insulin or improper usage thereof causes high levels of glucose to build up in the blood, while cells go without. Type 2 diabetes is a diet-related disease.
Diabetes and Sciatica
One of the many complications that may arise from diabetes is peripheral neuropathy, which is pain, numbness or tingling in the limbs of the body caused by nerve damage. The exact mechanisms aren't understood, but high blood glucose levels are known to adversely affect nerve function. The 2011 Fact Sheet states that 60-70% of diabetics have some level of nervous system damage. The sciatic nerve, the largest in the body, is often affected by diabetes. It runs from the lumbar spine down to the foot on each side of the body.
Sciatica may be common in diabetics not only because of high glucose levels but because of excess weight. Being overweight is a risk factor both for diabetes and sciatica. Excess pressure on the spine can compress spinal discs, which can cause them to bulge or herniate. The discs may interfere with nerves as they exit the spine.
If you have diabetes and feel either pain, numbness or tingling in the lower back that travels down the leg, you likely have sciatica. Symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, constant hunger, fatigue and slow healing. If you experience these in conjunction with sciatica symptoms but don't know if you're diabetic, it's a good idea to get tested.
Treating Diabetic Sciatica
The best way to treat sciatica caused by diabetes is to treat diabetes. In our culture, medicine is often seen as the first and last line of defense. However, medication should be seen as a temporary measure while pursuing changes in diet and lifestyle as a more permanent treatment. Losing weight and giving your body foods that are easier to process can reduce or even eliminate your need to use medicine to control diabetes.
The prime focus of any diabetes diet plan is keeping carbohydrate intake low and consistent, since carbs are converted to glucose in the body. It is important to eat only a small amount of carbs at a time and to eat them at regular times each day to prevent a spike in blood glucose levels.
Fat levels must be kept in check as well to ease the burden on the pancreas and liver. Saturated fats should be strictly limited while trans fats should be avoided altogether.
A dietician can help you work out a plan that ensured you get the nutrients your body needs while avoiding unhealthy foods. Light exercise will likely be part of your treatment; adding a 30-minute walk into your day can get your metabolism going and help you lose weight.
Some herbal supplements may help to naturally lower blood sugar levels, but studies on alternative medicine for diabetes are few and far between. Also, when considering a supplement to lower blood glucose, be sure to talk with your doctor; if these supplements are combined with medication, they may cause glucose levels to drop too low. See the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's page at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/diabetes/CAM-and-diabetes.htm for information on supplements for diabetics.
Treating diabetes and the problems it causes requires a commitment to lifestyle changes. While diet and exercise may not be enough to manage your condition initially, they can eventually reduce or eliminate your reliance on medication by enabling your body to function properly on its own.
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Yoga And Sciatica Relief

By Thomon Wardle

Yoga is good for many things and two of these things are providing sciatica relief and the prevention of it. In this article I'm going to share with you what this ancient exercise can do for you with regards to increasing your core strength and improving your posture.
Lower back problems are a major health problem, especially in developed countries where sitting for most of the day is now the norm. Visits to the doctors and days laid out in bed could be decreased by strengthening the groups of muscles based around the abdomen, the back and the hips.
By sitting around all day, the muscles that support the spine can get very weak. This can lead to back pain as the nerves are no longer kept in place. It can also mean compression of the sciatica nerve by muscles that are out of place.
However, using yoga as the means to stretch and strengthen these muscles can prevent most back pain and give sciatica relief.
My cousin recently complained of terrible sciatic pain down the back of the leg. It was the ham strings cramping because the muscles around her spine were no longer strong enough to keep her spinal discs in place. She was in agony and was having to take a cramp preventative tablet every night before bed, and every day before driving.
When her disc felt a lot better, she was still getting trouble with her ham strings. They were too tight as she suffered from scoliosis. This is a condition where the design of the back means that the hips are held at an angle and this can cause further back pain and very tight tendons in the legs. The well-known Olympic athlete Usain Bolt suffers from this condition and has to be treated by physiotherapists to prevent his hamstrings from becoming damaged.
Going back to my cousin, she is now fit and well, because she decided to wait until the disc was back in place in her spine before she started to work on the strength of the muscles in her lower back.
So by practicing yoga for just 20 minutes every morning, she has managed to strengthen all of her core muscles so that her spine is once again supported.
She told me that she did the following exercises to help to strengthen her back and to give sciatica relief:
The cobra - lie on the stomach and lift your head and your chest up off the floor. Use your back muscles to lift you - not your arms or hands.
The locust - lift your head off the floor and lift your feet. Hold your arms down and outwards. Do not use your hands but use your back muscles to do this stretch.
The butterfly. Sit on the floor with your knees out and your feet together. This will open your hips and stretch your hip flexors.
So as my cousin says, just do twenty minutes of yoga a day to give sciatica relief. It makes a huge difference and she hasn't experienced any real back pain discomfort since and neither has she suffered from sciatica.
In fact, she feels and looks so good that I would like to suggest to her brother to start doing it too. Yoga gives sciatica relief - but it also gives piece of mind and wellness.
Thomon Wardle is an experienced practitioner of yoga and pilates exercises [http://www.getfitwithpilates.com]. His range of yoga DVDs are listed and available from his site [http://www.getfitwithpilates.com] where you can also download a free eBook worth £9.95
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Prepare A Pain Management Plan To Overcome Sciatica Pain

By Steven Sea

Sciatica pain can lead to a devastating position if unattended to. Before one plans for a treatment for the same, it is necessary to understand the root cause of the occurrence. To find this, it requires for an individual to note down the changes they are experiencing physically. A reputed spinal therapist will use the symptoms as the base to find the root of sciatica. The next step will involve treatment through medication and exercises. All the exercises are planned in such a way that they act on the affected region and subdue sciatica.
With knowledge on the causes and symptoms, a person will be in a position to react at an early stage to prevent further evolution of sciatica. Sciatica pain is observed in the lower back portion, buttocks, thighs and toes. This is the region where sciatica nerve is located. It is originated at the lower end of the spinal column and ends at toes. It is the longest and the largest nerve present in human anatomy. It requires immediate attention to prevent it from reaching higher levels. Usually, it is treatable and does not require any surgeries. But, when there is no change in a person through non-surgical treatment, the only option left to cure it is through surgical treatment.
Sciatica pain is caused due to compression of nerve roots. This can occur at different levels of the spinal end and due to different reasons. A herniated disc, lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis are the major role players in development of sciatica. The other reasons are through the natural aging process which reduces the spinal canal area. A person affected often feels pinching, irritation and inflammation in the region. The pain is horrible and makes it difficult to perform regular activities.
With information on sciatica pain, it will be easy for a person to have a proper pain management implemented. This will prevent further development of sciatica. Regular sessions with a reputed spinal therapist will bring back the condition to normal. All it requires is to follow a schedule that has been tailor made according to the symptoms experienced by an individual. With complete information about causes, it becomes easy to control the pain and prevent it from reaching a higher level. Exercises are the best natural way to prevent sciatica and reduce the same. Make sure you have a pain management implemented to keep sciatica at bay.
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Fast Treatment for Sciatica

By Justine C Tuazon

Sciatica is a condition that causes pain in the lower back area or the legs. The condition comes from irritation of the sciatic nerve and can be a very painful problem. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body, starting from the nerve roots located in the spinal cord in the lower back area and down to the legs via the buttock area. There are many different types of treatment for sciatica.
There are several causes of sciatica, most of them being back problems that need to be addressed. Sciatica is not a back problem it is a symptom of an underlying back issue. In most cases, a herniated disc is the culprit that can cause sciatica. The disc bulges and can compress the sciatic nerve, causing irritation and inflammation. Sciatica can also occur from injury, tumors, internal bleeding, radiculopathy (abnormal intervertebral disc) and sometimes during pregnancy.
Treatment for Sciatica
• Short term bed rest is normally the first type of treatment recommended to allow any inflammation to subside.
• Pain medication is also used, depending on how acute the sciatica is and what is the injury causing the sciatica. Typically, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work very well in relieving pain and inflammation.
• Muscle relaxants can also be used to reduce any inflammation that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Stretching exercises can be great for helping people recover from sciatica and improving flexibility.
• Exercise is a great form of treatment for sciatica. It's very important for sciatica sufferers to remain physically active as prolonged bed rest may causes weakening of the spine muscles. Taking regular exercise help to strengthen back muscles and increase the production of endorphins, nature's painkillers.
• Compression packs, either hot or cold can help to reduce pain.
• An epidural steroid injection can sometimes be used to delivers anti-inflammatory medication rapidly to the area surrounding the nerves of the spine.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a long term treatment for people with chronic sciatica and helps with pain management.
• Surgery might be an option if all of the above does not bring any relief or the source of your sciatica can only be solved by a surgical procedure. There are several different types of surgery that are available such as discectomy (removal of the part of herniated disc that is causing the compression on your nerve), fusion surgery (sometimes needed when a vertebra has slipped out of place) and laminectomy (removal of the arch of a vertebra which will relieve any pressure on the nerves).
Sciatica pain can be very destructive to your quality of life. For more information on sciatica treatment [http://www.7-minutes-backpain-relief.com/] and how to conquer your back pain problems [http://www.7-minutes-backpain-relief.com/], visit our website to find out more.
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The 5 Trigger Points of Sciatica

By Heidi Mills

Sciatica is a symptom, or group of symptoms, caused by any number of conditions which compress the sciatic nerve. The main symptom of sciatica is pain radiating from the lower back or buttocks, down the back of the thigh. Pain may travel as far as the calf muscles. There may also be associated tingling, numbness or weakness.
There are numerous conditions which may cause sciatic pain. These include a lumbar disc herniation (also known as a slipped disc, or herniated disc); spinal canal stenosis; sacroiliac joint dysfunction and piriformis syndrome.
Sciatic pain can also be caused by trigger points (T.P's) within the gluteal (buttock) muscles. This is sometimes referred to as myofascial pain.
A trigger point is also sometimes known as a muscle knot. They are hypersensitive points within a tight band of muscle which often refer pain throughout the area they are found in. T.P's can be felt as small, tender lumps within a muscle, which when compressed, often cause pain which may radiate elsewhere and a twitch response in the muscle.
What are the 5 trigger points of Sciatica?
Sciatic pain radiating into the hamstrings can be caused by trigger points found in the buttock muscles.
Sciatica caused by T.P's develops gradually with no specific point of injury; there may be a cramping or tight sensation in the buttocks or hamstrings and tenderness when pressing these muscles. There is not usually any lower back pain, walking and even running may be pain free and strength is rarely affected.
The 5 T.P's which most commonly cause sciatic pain are described here:
1, 2 & 3: Gluteus Medius
Gluteus medius is one of the three Gluteal muscles ('glutes') which form each buttock. They are responsible for extending, abducting and laterally rotating the hip joint.
Gluteus medius is found just below the Iliac crest. There are three common T.P's in this muscle which can refer pain into the posterior thigh. They are located at the origin of the muscle, all three in a row, just below the iliac crest.
4: Tensor Fascia Latae
TFL (as it is shortened to) is a small muscle found on the outer hip. It attaches to the front of the iliac crest and descends downwards to converge with the IT band on the outer thigh.
A trigger point can often be found in the superior half of the muscle, which radiates pain inferiorly, down the IT band and lateral hamstrings.
5: Piriformis
The Piriformis muscle is a small muscle found deep within the centre of the buttock. It originates from the Sacrum and crosses horizontally to the head of the Femur (thigh bone).
It is strongly associated with Sciatica as a condition called Piriformis syndrome can also cause sciatic symptoms. However, this is an actual compression of the nerve caused by muscle tension or an anatomical variation where the nerve passes through the Piriformis muscle (rather than behind it). This occurs in around 10% of the population.
This is not the same as a Piriformis trigger point which does not affect the sciatic nerve at all, but radiates the pain into the hamstrings in a similar fashion.
The most common trigger point found within the Piriformis muscle is in the muscle belly, slightly towards the insertional tendon. This trigger point will refer pain into the outer buttock and down the back of the thigh.
Trigger Point Therapy
There has been lots of research undertaken into the best treatment of trigger points. Acupuncture (or dry needling) and ischemic pressure have been shown to be the most effective.
Acupuncture is the insertion of a needle into the trigger point. The small needle is inserted into the trigger point and left in place for a few minutes. During this time, the muscle gradually relaxes and lengthens. 3-4 sessions of dry needling are usually required to eliminate the trigger point.
Ischemic pressure is the application of direct pressure to the trigger point, with enough pressure to temporarily cut off blood flow to the TP (ischemic = no blood!). The aim of this technique is to stimulate receptors in the muscle which regulate its tension, to reduce the muscle tone. This pressure also provides an analgesic (pain relief) effect due to the release of pain mediating substances. Once the pressure is released, a sudden influx of blood to the point helps to flush out any waste products and bring the required nutrients for healing.
Following either technique, it is recommended that the muscles treated are stretched thoroughly to reset the muscle spindle length.
To conclude, if you are suffering from sciatic pain which had no specific point in time when the pain first developed and you have no lower back pain, consider trigger point therapy to your glute muscles. This simple form of treatment can ease pain in a large number of sciatic patients.
Heidi Mills (BSc HONS GSR) is a Graduate Sports Rehabilitator who works for http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net
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Tips to Prevent Aggravating or Triggering Sciatica During The Holidays

By Adam Arnette

The holiday season is filled with parties, people and presents - At least for many of you who have been preparing for Christmas, since... well maybe even before... Thanksgiving!
For some, the holidays may be less joyous, as many injuries occur during this time as well. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 5,800 back injuries out of more than 50,000 annually, occur during the holidays. Putting up Christmas lights is more dangerous than you'd think! So before rushing into your holiday preparations, take a look at these tips to help you avoid aggravating a pre-existing conditions such as sciatica, or to avoid developing a new injury that may send you off to spine surgery this coming year:
Christmas Tree - Don't even consider picking one up by yourself to strap to the top of your car. Get help from a family member or friend and bribe them with cookies and milk when the job is done. Use your legs and keep your core tight when lifting, and avoid lifting overhead and twisting while reaching. Preventing a sciatica ridden holiday may be worth generously tipping "Santa's Helpers" to deliver and set up the tree in your home.
Don't decorate alone! Every year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Climbing onto shaky stepladders and reaching while twisting is a sure-fire way to injure your back. If you are alone, decorate at eye-level and avoid dicey maneuvers. If you have an eager team of friends, children and family... make an event of it and whip up some tasty treats while everyone pitches in. Also avoid carrying large or heavy boxes down from the attic. Divide your loads into smaller bags or boxes, and distribute the weight evenly in both hands to protect your spine from strain.
The Big Day - you may be stressed about getting your last-minute cooking completed and home cleaned up, so keep in mind that this is the time when many people overdo it, get injured and wind up needing laser spine surgery. Standing on your feet for hours and cooking is quite stressful on your back, so remind yourself to stand correctly, take breaks to stretch and move about.
Despite the stress to make everything just right, remember what this season is really about: Joy! So avoid triggering your sciatica, or worse, risking a new injury to your back that could send you for laser spine surgery. Relax and enjoy
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