Sunday, January 31, 2010

Lower Back Pain and Sciatica

By Aneron Kepasil

Lower back sciatica is quite painful and originates from your sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. The pain extends from your spine to your hip and posterior area and then down the rear of each leg. While not a separate condition itself, sciatica is symptomatic of yet another problem, such as a herniated disc or another cause. Although lower back sciatica may ease with time, it may not, and the discomfort is usually quite debilitating.

Although as the sciatic nerve continues down the back, it branches off into both legs, it is common for only one leg to be much more symptomatic. Patients have described a sensation that is similar to feeling as though their leg is on fire. A painful sciatic nerve can create discomfort that ranges from being mildly inconvenient to becoming almost intolerable in nature. The basis of the symptoms that develop as a result of an inflamed sciatic nerve are primarily attributed to some kind of irritation to the nerve, or of the nerve being pinched or impinged upon. With even a slight injury, the sciatic nerve can become inflamed, swelling can result, thus the nerve tends to become pressed and pain results. The problem with having sciatic nerve pain can become so exacerbated that the nerves and muscles that control a persons bowel and bladder functions may become affected. In such cases, the patient should immediately seek medical attention.

Bed rest is often prescribed for sciatica although it is not clear there is any actual benefit to healing sciatica. However, some patients find the pain is so debilitating that movement is impossible. Bed rest with brief periods of gentle physical activity may be more effective. Some doctors prescribe specific exercises. A good bed with appropriate lumbar support, with a change in sleeping position eases the agony for some people. Lifting the knees, perhaps with a pillow, is immensely helpful.

Many people have found relief from their sciatica pain by consuming large amounts of potassium. Potassium can be found in many foods including bananas, potatoes, and oranges. It has been found that sciatica patients who consume postassium-rich foods experience less pain than those who do not eat foods rich in potassium.

According to information on sciatica most people will find this problem will naturally go away on its own, with the healing process taking a few days or weeks. Most episodes with sciatica heal within six to twelve weeks.

A number of natural remedies and supplements have shown improvement in some patients with an inflamed sciatic nerve. In particular, Sciatol has been reported to provide relief from the pain of sciatica, as well as decrease other symptoms such as inflammation and discomfort. Natural remedies such as Sciatol are often preferred by patients in order to avoid many of the side effects that can results from using a number of the various physician prescribed medications currently on the market. Moreover, Sciatol can also provide additional support and mobility of back movement even after symptoms have been resolved. - 14130

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