A National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases study revealed that 8 out of 10 people would be ridden with back pain to some extent at some point in their lives. While there’s varying level of discomfort associated with back pain, there’s the anguish brought about by sciatic pain.
In today’s post, we’ll take a look at what those who suffer from this condition are going through so we can better understand them. We’ll also discuss how to deal with the condition to alleviate the pain and discomfort.
Unbearable Pain
Back pain is terrible; however, sciatic pain is like torture. The radiating distress caused by this condition is called radiculopathy, and it can be extraordinarily painful. Radiculopathy is also a sure sign that you should get medical help immediately. Usually, people suffering from back pain will wait until the pain is unbearable before going to the doctors’; doing so will bring long-term damage.
Physiological Cause
Majority of sciatica cases is due to the herniated disk in the spine. However, in other cases, sciatica can be caused by a slipped disk, or a piriformis syndrome, which is the spasm or tightening of the muscle in the buttocks; or it can be a result of a tumor or an abscess, or perhaps an injury. Pregnancy can also cause sciatic pain. The developing fetus makes no room for the sciatic nerve and compresses it. Other risk factors include obesity, age (30 and 50-year-olds are susceptible), a person’s occupation such as carrying heavy items or driving for long periods of time, diabetes, and lifestyle habits such as smoking, not having any physical activity/being sedentary, or stress and depression.
The Pain Goes Away
Fortunately, in most sciatica cases, the sciatic pain goes away on its own. Stretching, exercising, using hot and cold packs, taking over-the-counter pain medications, and other self-care methods are often effective.
Keep Moving
Back pain should always equate to bed rest. The trust is that stretching and exercising programs deliver give results. When you move your muscles, it helps with the increase in circulation. This process transmits a supply of oxygenated blood that the injured area needs to ease inflammation.
Benefits of Chiropractic
Chiropractic practices can be beneficial. The handling of the spine by an experienced chiropractor helps reduce pain-inducing pain from inflammation. There have been studies suggesting that almost 65 percent of patients suffering from sciatic pain experienced alleviation with chiropractic adjustments. Thus, chiropractic can help revive your normal mobility and lessen pain.
Consider Surgery
If the sciatica pain, along with muscle weakness and other severe symptoms, continue for more than three months, surgery may be needed. The procedure may either be invasive, which includes doing a big incision to access the problematic area; or it can be less invasive where endoscopic methods are utilized. While the success rates for either procedure are both high, the minimally invasive ones have been reported to have a faster recovery.
Don’t Take Any Movement for Granted
When you’re back is normal, and without any pain, simple things such as sitting at your computer or sitting in front of the TV, or driving in traffic are doable and are often not a huge deal. However, those dealing with sciatic pain don’t have that luxury; this condition disrupts their daily activities and living condition. Even the simplest acts of getting into a comfortable sleeping position or going around the house can be challenging. If you’re lucky and you don’t have sciatic pain, try to be extra helpful to those around you.
Manage Pain with These Activities
Walking. The easiest and best exercise for the lower back is walking. A 30-minute walk each day can give you the same benefits that a sole-session of aerobic exercise brings.
Swimming. This is a low-impact, spine-friendly exercise that can boost your heart rate while burning calories. Choose from water activities such as water walking, aqua aerobics, or laps across the pool.
Yoga. Many yoga poses help stretch your muscles and relieve tension on your back. Go online and search from the many instructional yoga videos you can follow – from beginner to intermediate to advanced.
Stretching. Doing stretches every day, even before you get out of bed, can immensely relieve sciatic pain. Stretching warms up the muscles before you use them for the day.