Sciatica

I have been suffering from suspected Sciatica for years and was finally sent for an MRI scan of the lover back after which I have been recalled for a brain scan. They said it is something I will have been born with and can be treated. I have leg pain, Back Pain, numbness, involuntary muscle movement, minor deafness, vertigo, balance issues, bad eyesight. What do you think they suspect?

No PhD, so only guessing…maybe spinal column / nerve issue(s) at connection atop column. Researched this subject lately, though, and you’re welcome to some of the links that helped me:

Sciatica treatment

http://www.sciaticatreatmentorg

http://hubpages.com/hub/Sciatica-Treatments

There is a bunch of sciatica articles by these two authors, too:

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Neil_Jones

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Maujhuri_Chakraborty.

http://www.isnare.com/?s=author&a=Maujhuri+Chkraborty

Prayers for your healing!

I was wondering because my doctor referred me to physical therapy, but she also said that I could get injections too. For those who do not know what sciatica is, it is the strain of the sciatic nerve that travels from your back, through your leg, to your foot causing sever pain, numbness, and tingling in your foot.

Research demonstrates that overall, most people who have injections are no better off a week or two later. However, in people whose symptoms persisted even with physical therapy, therapy often becomes more effective once an injection has been administered. This is especially true for those whose symptoms are constant and radiate all the way to the foot.

Physical therapy is an excellent choice. While it’s true that the term "sciatica" is often misappropriately applied, it is NOT true that you HAVE to know the exact source of the sysmptoms before it is treated. Rather, research demonstrates that Sciatica (whether a true "radiculopathy" or a referred "somatic" pain from the intervertebral disc, or sacroiliac joint, or hip), or any musculoskeletal pain can be treated without expensive imagining or ever knowing the true pathoanatomic cause of the symptoms. It remains unknown in 85% of cases anyway.

Rather, assessment and treatment by LISTENING to YOUR history and observing what happens to the symptoms when you move is demonstrated to be a reliable and valid way to direct treatment…all by showing you how you can fix it yourself with very little intervention from a clinician. This approach to treating it is prevalant by physical therapist and chiropractors who are certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (www.mckenziemdt.org). I would recommend you locate a practicioner who is certified in this.

I’m only 14 weeks pregnant and have been experiencing a little bit of Sciatica since my 10th week. It usually doesn’t last for very long but when it does I can’t even walk. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any ways of relieving the pain, and when it should go away. I know it’s not from the baby right now but probably my insides moving around. Any similar experiences? How did you get rid of it?

I had that problem during my last pregnancy and found resting with my legs elevated about my hips helped as well as warm (not hot) baths and heat packs. Try doing gentle stretches and yoga, but be sure to have your doctors okay before participating in any exercise!

If you’ve been around anyone with Sciatica, you know it’s a painful form of Back Pain.

Sciatica is a pain in the leg arising from compression of the sciatic nerve which runs from the spine down the legs to the feet and is often caused by a Herniated Disc. If you’ve ever gone to the doctor with a sore back, the first thing they will ask you is if you have and pain or numbness in your leg.

Fortunately, between 80 to 90 percent of people with sciatica get better without having to have surgery.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica has been described as having a burning or tingling feeling or like having a small electrical shock. The pain can run from your buttock, down the back of your thighs. Everyday activities like sitting or even coughing can be very painful.

Pay close attention to the numbness in your legs. If it persists or if you lose control of your bowels, then go and see a doctor. This could be a sign of a rare condition called cauda equine which needs immediate surgery.

The good news is that sciatica is mainly an inflammation that eventually dies down. Recovery can be in as little as two week but it could also take a few months. Paralysis is not a factor with sciatica.

The causes of sciatica

Sciatica is usually not the result of any accident or fall. Instead, it’s normally just caused by wear and tear on our back. That’s why 30-50 year olds are the ones for whom it is most common.

As we get older, the intervertebral discs of our spine experience degeneration and from that a herniated disc can occur. With a herniated disc, the disk protrudes pushing against the nerve in the lower back. There is a misperception that sciatica is a deadened nerve but it is simply the compression of the nerve.

How can sciatica be treated?

The first priority is to alleviate the pain. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen to help calm the inflammation, but full pain relief could take a few days and may involve bed rest.

Treatment for sciatica can be surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical treatment involves stretching and exercising. Be sure to keep as active as possible since this helps the recovery but be careful about what exercises you do. Walking and jogging have been cited as sports that may cause sciatica.

Sciatica surgery is common and the objective is to remove the source of the nerve irritation. Over 90% of sciatica operations are successful.

Frank Thornton
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/how-to-deal-with-the-pain-of-sciatica-119611.html