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Is Sciatica Preventable and Curable?

Sciatica is a term used to refer to the pain that starts in the lower back just above the buttocks. It’s from the lower back that it spreads right down the limbs to the feet. As peculiar as this might seem this pain is real and it can be the source of great discomfort if you’ve never experienced it before. The name sciatica is derived from the sciatic nerve, the longest and thickest nerve in the human body. And like the rote followed by the pain it stretches from the back to the lower limbs, perhaps even to the feet. Like any other nerve it carries and transmits sensations of either pleasure or pain, but in this case pain and discomfort.

There are a few known causes of sciatic pain. But the basic understanding of the causes is derived from the fact that when pressure is applied against the sciatic nerve it gets inflamed. So the moment the sciatic nerve is swollen only one thing can happen, the alteration of sensations. This would normally occur if you were sitting in an improper fashion for too long. But sitting in awkward positions isn’t the only cause of pain. If the vertebrae in the spinal column fall out of position during an accident the vertebrae end up applying the same said pressure against the sciatic nerve. And like I mentioned earlier a distortion of sensations will yet again persist.

Having sciatica is not the end of the world, maybe the beginning. There are so many remedies that have been developed as treatment for sciatic pain. One such treatment is the ice pack. Take a packet of ice cubes from the fridge or buy one from a garage. Proceed to rub the entire pack in areas of your back and limbs where you feel the most pain. Do this for a good 10-15 minutes and wait for a while to observe the marked change; you’ll be feeling a whole lot better if you do this three times a day.

If extreme cold against your spine is unbearable there is an option you can pursue. You can try out the heat-pack and get the same positive results. Take the usual bed warmer tube and fill it up with hot water. And just like the ice-pack rub it around the areas where you feel the most pain. Pain relief will follow a few hours afterwards depending on your condition. Alternative treatments are available in the form of back massages. Find a good massage therapist and allow here to release the tension in your sciatic nerve and lower back. A massage also results in the release of feel good hormones called endorphins. Another thing you can try out is acupuncture. Acupuncture brings about an increased blood circulation and the further release of endorphins.