Beliefnet.com published an informative article on Sciatica, the longest and largest nerve in the body, that causes painful problems for many people. Although it can come on gradually or overnight, the main symptom of sciatica is pain or discomfort that usually centers in the lower back and radiates down one leg.
In some cases it is minimal and feels like a slight ache, or numbness. But in other cases it is extreme, making virtually any movement excruciatingly painful. It can affect anyone at any age, and sciatica tends to be more common in men over 40. This statistic is strange to me because I know several women who are currently suffering from this condition.
Causes can vary, but most commonly it is caused by some part of the spine rubbing against or putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. Usually this is the result of a disc problem. How do you treat it?
In almost 50% of cases, sciatic pain will greatly diminish within a month with supportive treatments including:
- Avoiding strenuous physical activity
- Application of ice packs for 10-15 minutes, sometimes alternating with heat, two or three times a day
- Adequate amount of sleep
- Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers
A couple of my friends had this flare up during pregnancy because the baby was sitting on their nerve. Two female co-workers are struggling with this, and they say it is very painful but the ice and heat do offer relief. Unfortunatley, the pain may go away within a couple weeks, but it can act up again, especially if you have disc damage.
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