 |
| Sciatic Nerve – Anatomy
With sciatica we associate weakness,
tingling or numbness that starts from the lower back, passing through the
sciatic nerve, reaching the back of the leg.
I.Symptoms
of sciatica
Specific symptoms may
vary in type, location and severity, depending on the condition, causing sciatica.
How sciatica occurs?
As age rises, your
chances of getting sciatica increase. Very rarely sciatica can affect young people under 20 years of age. Usually the
peak of this disease is about 50 and then decreases. Many people within a few
weeks, or a month find relief, without surgery. For others, however, it can
have fatal consequences and can lead to disability.
If you have these symptoms, seek immediate medical
attention:
The most common causes of sciatica
1.Lumbar herniated disc - pinched sciatic nerve.
2.Degenerative disc diseases - result of aging. One or more degenerated discs can
cause sciatica.
3. Pinched disc.
4.Lumbar spinal stenosis - a narrowing of the spinal canal. Associated with
aging of spine.
5.Pelvic pain syndrome - causes irritation of the
nerve endings of the sciatic nerve.
6. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction - inflammation of the
sacroiliac joint (it is located in the lower part of the spine)
Other causes for sciatica
More causes…
Pregnancy
During pregnancy body undergoes various changes, such as weight gain, shifting the center of
gravity, hormonal changes, and this may lead
to sciatica.
Connective tissue
If it "press"
nerve ending, it also can cause sciatica.
Spinal axis tumors
In very rare cases it
can affect the nerves in the lower spine and can cause similar symptoms.
II.Sciatica
during pregnancy
Tips to relieve sciatic pain in pregnant women
Sciatica is an inflammation of sciatic nerve caused by various factors. The pain has a mechanical
origin. Sciatic nerve starts from the lower back and passes through the
buttocks and down the limb. Its inflammation leads to pain in the lumbar
region, which can spread to one of the feet - from the back of the thigh to the
knee.
Pregnant women often complain of backache and leg pain due to
growth and pressure of the uterus, due to the stretching of the bone-joint
system of the spine and pelvis. You can experience tension in the waist, due to
the increased pressure over the spine, because of the pregnancy.
In different periods of pregnancy,
uterus enlargement may lead to pressure on the sciatic nerve . So, you can develop radiculitis or sciatica - back pain at rest and during
movement, pain in the buttock and back of the leg, sometimes accompanied by
tingling, numbness and burning sensation. Sciatica
can be constant or periodical, depending on, whether baby changes its position. Listen to your body
and stop doing anything that causes you pain.
Frequent massage at home, posture correction and compresses can relieve
pain.
Applying hot or cold compress on the painful area, for 10 minutes can
relieve the condition and it is safe during pregnancy.Wearing flat and soft
shoes also can help.
When you sit, use a small pillow or rolled towel behind your back, to
support the spine. If you have to lift something, do not bend, keep your back
straight when squatting. Walk more and do not stay long in one place for a long
period of time. Use pillows to support your abdomen when you lie.
III.Sciatic
nerve - anatomy
Sciatic is the largest and busiest
nerve in the human body.
It starts from the lower back in the 3rd lumbar vertebra, moving down and reaching each leg. Parts of the sciatic nerve divide itself and passing through legs, to "activate" certain parts of it - thigh, toes, etc.
Depending on where nerve is affected (pressed), we can see different symptoms-leg pain, numbness, weakness. For example, if fifth lumbar vertebra is affected, it can cause weakness (restriction of movement) of the big toe and ankle.
It has a complex structure and has at increased risk of damage.
In some cases only sensory fibers are
affected, causing pain. In other cases, this neurological condition can cause
permanent, irreversible changes in the structure, leading to loss of sensation or paralysis
of the foot.
IV.Sciatic
nerve - pain symptoms
Symptoms may include pain that begins in the back or buttock and goes down your leg or/and may move into your foot.
Treatment sciatica starts with the establishment of
the reason, causing inflammation of the
sciatic nerve – for example, it might be a result of toxicity in diabetes.
We should neutralize the reason, why a person suffers from
sciatica (pinched tumor, bone mass), then apply symptomatic treatment. Patients
with sciatica
should stay in bed; very appropriate are warming treatments - physical
therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, vitamins of B. If this condition occurs
repeatedly, it is recommended
balneotherapy.
V.Where is
sciatic nerve situated?
Sciatic nerve starts from the lower
spine, moving through the pelvis,
and reaches each leg. It is known that sciatic nerve
is the longest and widest nerve in our body. The sciatic nerve supplies the muscles of the
lower leg, calf, ankle, and the back of the knee.
VI.What
can we do to prevent future problems with the sciatic nerve
VII.Sciatic
nerve – exercise
Sometimes it may appear sharp pain along the sciatic nerve, as a result of
overvoltage of the muscle. This can happen when loading the muscles, or
improperly posture. So relax and unblock the nerve. In this case you can do a simple
exercise:
1. Sit on a
chair. If the pain comes from the right
side, put right foot on the knee of the other leg. Important: the leg that is
down, should be perpendicular to the floor, and the other one should be wide
opened.
2. Then begin to tilt forward, put your hands on the
raised leg.
3. Gradually increase the amplitude of pushing, as you
bend more forward.
4. Finally (at full stretch) you can put your hands
down and relax.
Of course, once you do the exercise with one of the
legs, you should repeat the same with the other. This is an excellent exercise
for loosening the gluteal muscles and release
of the sciatic nerve, which instantly reduces pain in the buttocks and legs.
VIII. Natural treatment of sciatica – alternatives.
Home remedies.
Ice / Heat
For acute sciatic pain
(especially when it is in the initial phase), ice or heat can relieve pain.
Typically, this treatment is applied for about 20 minutes and it is repeated
every 2 hours. You can change heat with ice.
Physical exercises
If you practice aerobic
exercise and stretching it is likely to recover faster.
Exercises are focused on
three areas:
Strengthening
exercises for relieving sciatic pain
They are intended at
strengthening the lower back muscles, ligaments and tendons, gluteus and
abdominal muscles. They are
suitable for relieving sciatic pain and are directed to the muscles that are
tight and solid.
Easy
aerobic exercises
These include - walking, swimming and therapy in pool.
Aerobic exercises have a very good therapeutic effect, as they help releasing
endorphins (“hormones of happines" that reduce sciatic pain).
Devil's claw
It is known to alleviate the
symptoms of arthritis, but if used in small doses it is very effective.
Camomile
It has very good healing
effect on muscle tissue. Ten, or twenty
drops of chamomile extract, (diluted in water) acts instantly.
Horsetail
It is very suitable herb and
has
many beneficial effects on the connective tissue.
Potato
juice
Take at
least 10-20 ml. potato juice
every day (can be mixed with celery juice or carrot juice). It is very useful for gout and
sciatica as well.
Elderberry
Elderberry juice or elderberry tea relieves pain in sciatica. It is known to be one of the best muscle relaxants.
Raw garlic
Mash 2 cloves of garlic
and mix it with half a glass of milk. Drink 2 times a day. You can expect a
result after 8-10 days.
Freshly ground horseradish
You can apply it as a
poultice on the affected area. It stimulates the sciatic nerve and relieves pain.
|
Sciatica – Causes. Tips To Relieve Sciatic Pain During Pregnancy. Location Of Sciatic Nerve – Anatomy, Pain Symptoms And Exercises. Treating Sciatica With Herbs And Natural Home Remedies.
Remedy Search
Custom Search