Sciatica Symptoms and Treatment

Sciatica is a common aging ailment, affecting millions of people around the world each year. However, it is not a serious problem in most cases. The pain might be severe at times, but the ailment gets healed itself as the time passes, with the help of proper diet and exercise. Sciatica is the inflammation of supporting tissue of sciatic nerves, and is felt as the pain running from the lower back to the back of the legs. Some of the most common causes of sciatica are compression of spinal nerve root due to herniated vertebral disc, bad posture, spasmodic contraction of piriformis muscle, infection, tumor and wear and tear of the sciatic nerve due to aging.

Feeling of the pain travelling from lumbar region to the back of the legs is the most poignant symptom of sciatica. The pain can be either numbing, pins and needles or weakening. Anything that exerts pressure on the lower back region aggravates the pain, and at times, it can be very severe, lasting for several minutes or hours.

Few good tips for treating the sciatica symptoms are to avoid sleeping in the fetal position, using supportive braces and belts, and taking good rest in case of severe pain. Proper sleep pattern is beneficial in treating the sciatica symptoms, and it is a good idea to use the hard bed. Sleeping on a hard mattress or floor gives good support for sciatic nerves. Heavy medications such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and antibiotics must be taken only if necessary.

Sciatica pains are compounded due to constipation, hence for treating the sciatica symptoms, avoid the foods that aggravate indigestion. Straining while defecation puts pressure on the sciatic nerve and makes the pain worse. Consume green leafy vegetables, carbohydrates, and fruits, especially apples and bananas as they aid digestion.

There are few ayurvedic medicines available for treating the sciatica symptoms and the most commonly used herbs include bitter chamomile, nutmeg, Indian bdeliium, Indian aloe, Juniper, Vanda Orchid, and Boswellia. Some of the sciatica natural treatments include consuming raw garlic, elderberry juice or tea, and juices of potatoes, celery leaves, carrots and beetroots.

Exercises done under the supervision of experienced physical therapist is one of the best methods for treating the sciatica symptoms, as correct exercises can improve the posture, and increase core strength. This can reduce pain and recurrence of sciatica. There are many new technologies coming up to treat disc herniation such as injecting infliximab, medical ozone injection, nucleoplasty and electothermal disc decompression.

Before starting any medication, treatment or exercise for treating the sciatica symptoms, it is essential to consult your physician, and find the real cause and area of the pain.