Help for Sciatic Nerve Pain

By Aneron Kepasil

Sciatica is a painful condition that occurs when the root of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, becomes compressed. The sciatic nerve has its beginning in the spinal cord near the buttock and hip and extends all the way down the leg and into the foot. Any feeling derived along the hip, leg and foot is due to impulses from the sciatic nerve. Likewise, any compression, damage or inflammation to this nerve can cause pain that radiates all the way from the lower back down the leg and into the foot.

Some info on sciatica reveals that one of the most successful treatments for sciatica pain is to exercise. You can release some pressure on the affected nerve roots by stretching. There are also several back exercises that will help you to relieve the sciatica pain if such pain is not overwhelming. You can also find detailed sciatica exercises online that can help you overcome the sciatica pain. It's not recommended to stay in bed when you have sciatica pain, you should at least stretch your legs and back.

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.

Physical Therapy proves beneficial to some sufferers. A medical professional should prescribe therapy. A professional physical therapist will avoid exercises that irritate the nerve and bring on attacks. Therapy that strengthens the muscles holding the spine in position promote good posture. Yoga, undertaken carefully, is beneficial for sciatica sufferers. Some yoga positions, such as forward folds or twisting, may exacerbate sciatica. The benefits of yoga include mental and physical balance, and many people find Yoga exercise offers permanent healing for sciatica.

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.

A natural supplement called Sciatol is among the latest remedies proven effective in helping alleviate the pain and discomfort of sciatica. Formulated using six powerful herbal ingredients, Sciatol Back Formula is among the most effect ways how to cure sciatica. Sciatol helps relieve the pain associated with sciatica and targets the overall healing of the sciatic nerve, the nervous system and the spine.

About the Author:

Do you want to find out more on sciatic nerve stretch - Burning Limbs: The Truth About Sciatica, then check out our website and learn more about Sciatica Home Treatment.

Sciatica Tips That Actually Work

Sciatica is a common form of lower back pain. It can be a 'real pain in the butt' for you and those around you. It can limit your activities so that you miss out and so do your family and friends. Sciatica can be helped and help is here...

Simple effective sciatica home treatment, sounds too good to be true doesn't it. Like I said before, you can ease your pain, especially if you don't wait too long. The tips below will help to relieve back pain if you start now.

Tip 1 - in the first 48 hours use ice. Ice will decrease the inflammation present and can stop sciatica before it starts. So put ice on the area for 10 minutes, rest for 10 minutes and then repeat the process two more times. Ice is only effective for the first 48 hours, so don't delay using it. Ice can be a simple and quick pain reliever in those initial stages.

Tip 2 - Stretch your Piriformis muscle. The Piriformis muscle has the sciatic nerve either running through it or next to it. If the muscle tightens then sciatica is common. To ease your sciatica, you must stretch effectively.

Tip 3 - Balance your Pelvis. The pelvis is like a foundation to a house. If the foundations are in balance, the rest of the house won't creak. The same for back pain. If the pelvis is balanced tension eases off other areas quickly.

(Your pelvis is the most common cause of lower back pain and sciatica It is also commonly left untreated)

Tip 4 - Keep moving. You do not need to move fast but you need to move. If you rest and do not move at all, muscles will tighten quicker. This is why you may pain is worse in the morning after a nights sleep. Once you move your pain can ease considerably.

Tip 5 - As the saying goes, if pain persists seek help. This doesn't necessarily mean consulting a practitioner. But if you have had a fall or injury, you should. Seek help from those who are experts in treating sciatica. Gain their knowledge and expertise to learn simple ways you can eliminate your sciatica with.

Sciatica home treatment is easy if you know what to target, how to target the areas and how to effectively eliminate your pain. Sciatica is a common condition, but you have the tools to make it disappear quickly. All you need to do is follow some simple tips for sciatica home treatment.

Dr Graeme Teague is a back pain expert of almost 20 years experience. With his free eBook, he has helped thousands of sufferers relieve back pain quickly. Head over to his site http://www.back-pain-advisor.com/sciatica.html to read more.

Spinal Decompression For Herniated Discs

By Randall Pruitt, DC, DACNB, DAAPM, MUAC, CES-NASM

Life has a way of wearing us down and causing certain structures to deteriorate accidents can do the same. As we age, our spines are prone to degeneration and wear and tear. Accidents can cause similar results or worse. In both cases, the discs are highly prone to damage and can suffer from injuries such as bulging or the material actually breaking completely though the outer portion of the disc. When that happens it is called a herniated disc.

So what are the best ways to determine if you have a herniated disc? Or where the damage has occurred, is it in the lower back, neck, or upper back. You may experience numbness, pain and weakness in a particular area. The most common area however, is the lower back.

Usually we order an MRI or a CT scan in order to rule in the diagnosis of a herniated disc and rule out some other more serious problem. Depending on the severity of the case, the pain may last for weeks or months or even years. In most of the cases I see, the pain has been there for many months and is getting to the point of becoming disabling.

Herniated discs are quite common and because of this there are many treatments designed to help with this problem.

Some of the most common treatments for herniated discs include physical therapy, spinal injections, medication, massage, chiropractic and acupuncture.

The problem is that most of these treatments don't offer a long term solution. That is the number #1 reason so many people seek out my office for spinal decompression. Spinal decompression in my opinion is the most successful treatment I have utilized for the treatment of disc pain in the lower back and neck.

We use the DRX9000 in our office. I have been offering spinal decompression as a primary treatment for lower back and neck pain for many years and have some of the most incredible success stories you can imagine. The treatment is extremely desirable because of the non-invasive nature and safety of it.

The science behind spinal decompression is quite easy to understand. The treatment is ideal for herniated discs. It works by creating a negative intradiscal pressure.This negative pressure creates a vacuum inside the disc space that reduces the herniation. This also allows the disc to heal for a long term recovery

Treatments using spinal decompression typically last 4-6 weeks and usually consist of 20 sessions. This is also combined with comprehensive core strengthening and spinal rehabilitation to deal with the muscle weakness that accompanies herniated discs.

Herniated disc pain can be a life altering experience and knowing where to turn can be difficult. If you don't treat the actual problem you virtually guarantee another episode so it is best to choose a treatment like spinal decompression for a long term solution

About the Author:

Randall Pruitt, DC, DACNB, DAAPM, MUAC is an authority on spinal decompression for back pain. You can order a copy of his Free Patients Guide here. You can also subscribe to his weekly ezine called Back Issues

What Is Ortho-Bionomy?

Have you been experiencing pain? Maybe you've got some low back pain, neck pain, or hip pain? How about chronic tension in muscles and joints? Would you like to be able to bend over to put on socks or shoes? Do you want to feel good again? If so, you might be ready to try a type of therapeutic bodywork called Ortho-Bionomy. For several years now I've used Ortho-Bionomy in my San Antonio Massage Therapy and Bodywork practice to relieve pain and stress.

What Is Ortho-Bionomy and How Does It Work?

Ortho-Bionomy is a non-invasive, gentle, and very powerful type of therapeutic bodywork. Ortho-Bionomy works with the body's own self-corrective reflexes to effectively relieve acute and chronic pain, chronic tension patterns, and stress. Ortho-Bionomy is done most often with the client relaxing fully clothed on a comfortably padded table while the Ortho-Bionomist performs releases by positioning the client's body and joints in positions of comfort then applying gentle motions and/or compression. The result of an Ortho-Bionomy session is less pain, reduced muscle tension, greater circulation, greater flexibility, and an overall sense of wellness and relaxation.

Where Did Ortho-Bionomy Come From?

Ortho-Bionomy, both the name and the body of work, is based on the work of Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls. Dr. Pauls was an Osteopathic Physician and Judo instructor. After a presentation of the work of Dr. Laurence Jones regarding "Spontaneous Release By Positioning", Dr. Pauls became fascinated with the body's self-corrective reflexes. He drew upon his knowledge of Osteopathy, Homeopathy, and Judo to find ways to work with the body instead of attempting to force change. After several years of work and experimentation Dr. Pauls began teaching Ortho-Bionomy in the U.S. and Europe. Today Ortho-Bionomy is taught and practiced around the world.

What Can Be Treated With Ortho-Bionomy?

Ortho-Bionomy is generally used to treat various painful conditions, postural distortions, chronic tension and stress. That covers a lot of ground doesn't it? As a Licensed Massage Therapist who has studied Ortho-Bionomy for some time I've used Ortho-Bionomy to successfully treat:

1. Back Pain - low back and upper back
2. Neck Pain including whiplash
3. Hip and Knee Pain
4. TMJ Dysfunction - Jaw Pain
5. Headaches and Migraines
6. Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff issues
7. Leg Length Discrepancy and Functional Scoliosis
8. SI Joint Pain and Sciatica
9. Chronic Stress and Tension

...and more.

As you can see, Ortho-Bionomy is effective in treating a wide range of complaints. However, while Ortho-Bionomy is very gentle, non-invasive, and compatible with all healing systems you should consult with your physician prior to receiving an Ortho-Bionomy session or any other form of massage or bodywork. Ortho-Bionomy practitioners welcome working in conjuction with your health care team.

Where Can I Get An Ortho-Bionomy Session?

If you're in San Antonio, Texas or the surrounding area you can get an Ortho-Bionomy session from me at my Massage Therapy and Bodywork practice Massage By Ben. If you don't live in the San Antonio area you can find an Ortho-Bionomy practitioner near you by contacting the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International at Ortho-Bionomy.org where you will find listings of practitioners around the world.

Ortho-Bionomy is a registered trademark of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International (SOBI) and is used with permission.

Author Resource: Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and Certified Neuromuscular Therapist in San Antonio, Texas. His practice is dedicated to relieving pain through the use of several massage and bodywork techniques. See his site MassageByBen.com or SOBI

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Piriformis Syndrome and Massage Therapy

In my San Antonio, Texas based Massage Therapy and Bodywork practice I often treat pain from various syndromes including Piriformis Syndrome. Like many painful conditions Piriformis Syndrome responds quite well to massage therapy and bodywork.

What is Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis Syndrome is the name of a painful nerve entrapment condition in which the sciatic nerve is placed under abnormal pressure by the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle attaches to the sacrum bone of the low back to the top of greater trochanter of the femur (thigh bone) and lies on top of the sciatic nerve. When the piriformis muscle becomes tight and enlarged, pain results from myofascial trigger points (knots) in the muscle, pressure on the sciatic nerve, and sometimes from the S-I Joint in the low back. Pain from Piriformis Syndrome is usually found in the extreme low back, buttocks, hip, and often the back of the thigh. Most of the time the symptoms are on one side, but may affect both sides in some cases. Additionally, people with Piriformis Syndrome often have trouble sitting for long periods and the pain may worsen when walking or squatting.

What is the cause of Piriformis Syndrome?

There are a number of causes for Piriformis Syndrome including direct blunt trauma to the buttocks, prolonged sitting while working or driving, Morton's foot, or S-I Joint instability. Frequent or prolonged running on canted surfaces and participation in sports requiring quick lateral movement such as tennis, skiing, and basketball may also overstress the piriformis muscle and lead to Piriformis Syndrome.

Massage Therapy and Bodywork for Piriformis Syndrome

There are many ways that massage therapy and bodywork can be used to treat Piriformis Syndrome. The massage therapist will employ a number of techniques to relieve the condition. For example the massage therapist may use Neuromuscular Therapy or Trigger Point Therapy to eliminate myofascial trigger points in the piriformis muscle. The massage therapist could also use Myofascial Release techniques or Deep Tissue Massage techniques to release adhesions between the piriformis muscle and surrounding tissues while also using Muscle Energy Techniques to gently lengthen the piriformis muscle. Piriformis Syndrome also responds well to positional release therapies such as Ortho-Bionomy which work with the body's nervous system to release muscles and improve joint movement in the area. In addition to working on the piriformis muscle it may be necessary to provide therapy for other muscles near piriformis and even to muscles opposing piriformis to improve muscular balance. Comprehensive treatment with massage and bodywork, in conjunction with a home program of stretching and exercise, usually helps to completely resolve Piriformis Syndrome.

Other Treatments for Piriformis Syndrome

While massage therapy and bodywork are an excellent treatment for Piriformis Syndrome there are other treatments you should discuss with your physician:

Anti-inflammatory medications
Anesthetic and Steroid Injections
Surgery

Other Names for Piriformis Syndrome

Pseudosciatica
Back Pocket Sciatica
Deep Gluteal Syndrome
Hip Socket Neuropathy

The information on this page has been provided for information purposes only. It is not meant to provide a medical diagnosis, only a licensed physician may diagnose Piriformis Syndrome. If you feel that you have the symptoms of Piriformis Syndrome please see your physician for a proper diagnosis and plan of treatment which may include massage therapy and bodywork. There are a number of more serious conditions that resemble Piriformis Syndrome that could require immediate medical attention.

If, after consulting your physician, you would like to pursue treatment of Piriformis Syndrome with Massage Therapy and Bodywork please contact me at my San Antonio Massage and Bodywork practice or contact a Massage Therapist near you.

Author Resource: Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and Certified Neuromuscular Therapist in San Antonio, Texas. His practice is dedicated to relieving pain through the use of several massage and bodywork techniques. See his site MassageByBen.com or his blog.

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