Lower Back Pain Sciatica

If you are experiencing lower back pain, sciatica might be to blame. Sciatica causes pain that starts in the area of the hips, buttocks and lower back. From there it may travel down the back of the leg. There may also be numbness or burning sensations. Sciatica is caused when the roots of the sciatic nerve are compressed. Compression might occur because of a problem with the vertebrae such as a herniated disk. Sometimes, it can be difficult for patients and doctors alike to distinguish a sciatic problem from other types of back pain.

The distinguishing characteristic of sciatica is pain in the back of the thigh, leg and/or foot on one side of the body. This pain may be worse than the pain felt in the lumbar region. Most of the time the pain from sciatica will reach further down than the knee. Sometimes with chronic and long lasting sciatica the pain will become concentrated in the area of the buttocks or upper back thigh. The first step towards alleviating your pain is obtaining the proper diagnosis from your doctor. Once the diagnosis has been made a treatment plan will be created. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who is experienced in dealing with back problems.

Treatment for sciatica may include a variety of different therapies including the application of heat and cold, rest, physical therapy and certain pain relieving medications. Some patients may also want to investigate alternative therapies like acupuncture, acupressure, hydrotherapy and massage. Alternative medicine can often help enhance the effects of traditional medical care. Many of today's practitioners blend traditional Western medicine with so-called alternative therapies. In reality these therapies have been in practice for thousands of years in certain parts of the world.

When dealing with lower back pain, sciatica, or any other type of back problem it is a good idea to become educated about your condition. Because sciatica is such a common problem there are lots of books on the subject. If you're interested in learning more about sciatica, check out the following titles at your local library or bookstore: The Sciatica Relief Handbook by Chet Cunningham, Back Pain: How to Relieve Low Back Pain and Sciatica by Loren Fishman and Carol Ardman, and Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by John E. Sarno.





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