i have recently had a bad attack of sciatica, any sort of advice would be helpful to get some sort of relief?

Answer 1

Understanding sciatica
Low back pain and/or leg pain that usually travels down the large sciatic nerve, from the lower back down the back of each leg, is generally referred to as sciatica and is fairly common. This pain can be caused when a nerve root in the lower spine that helps form the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated.

Sciatica is usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc (also referred to as a ruptured disc, pinched nerve, slipped disk, etc.) in the lumbar spine. The problem is often diagnosed as a "radiculopathy", meaning that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica occurs most frequently in people between 30 and 50 years of age. Often a particular event or injury does not cause sciatica, but rather it may develop as a result of general wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. The vast majority of people who experience sciatica get better with time (usually a few weeks or months) and find pain relief with non-surgical treatments.

Understanding sciatica pain
For some people, the pain from sciatica can be severe and debilitating. For others, the pain might be infrequent and irritating, but has the potential to get worse. Usually, sciatica only affects one side of the lower body, and the pain often radiates from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also radiate to the foot or toes.

Practical point:
Symptoms of sciatica pain can vary greatly but usually decreases after a few weeks or months with non-surgical treatment.One or more of the following sensations may occur as a result of sciatica:

Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting

Burning or tingling down the leg

Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot

A constant pain on one side of the rear

A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up

Low back pain may be present along with the leg pain, but usually the low back pain is less severe than the leg pain

While sciatica can be very painful, it is rare that permanent nerve damage (tissue damage) will result. Most sciatica pain syndromes result from inflammation and will get better within two weeks to a few months. Also, because the spinal cord is not present in the lower (lumbar) spine, a herniated disc in this area of the anatomy does not present a danger of paralysis.

Symptoms that may constitute a medical emergency include progressive weakness in the leg or bladder/bowel incontinence. Patients with these symptoms may have cauda equina syndrome and should seek immediate medical attention. In general, patients with complicating factors should contact their doctor if sciatica occurs, including people who: have been diagnosed with cancer; take steroid medication; abuse drugs; have unexplained, significant weight low; or have HIV.

Any condition that causes irritation or impingement on the sciatic nerve can cause the pain associated with sciatica. The most common cause is a lumbar herniated disc. Other common causes of sciatica include lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Sciatica medical definition
To clarify medical terminology, the term sciatica (often misspelled as ciatica or siatica) is often used very broadly to describe any form of pain that radiates into the leg. However, this is not technically correct. True sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated and the pain along the sciatic nerve is caused by this nerve (radicular pain). When the pain is referred to the leg from a joint problem (called referred pain), using the term sciatica is not technically correct. This type of referred pain (e.g. from arthritis or other joint problems) is quite common.

Physical therapy and exercise
When the sciatica pain is at its worst, patients may need to rest for a day or two, but resting for longer periods of time is usually not advisable. In fact, inactivity will usually make the sciatic pain worse. This is because regular movement and exercise is necessary to nourish the various structures in the low back and encourage the strength needed to support the low back.

Many sciatica exercises focus on strengthening the abdominal and back muscles in order to give more support for the back. Stretching exercises for sciatica target muscles that cause pain when they are tight and inflexible. When patients engage in a regular program of gentle strengthening and stretching exercises, they can recover more quickly from a flare up of sciatica and can help to prevent future episodes of pain.

Low impact aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming (or pool therapy) is also usually a component of recovery, as aerobic activity encourages the exchange of fluids and nutrients to help create a better healing environment. Aerobic conditioning also has the added benefit of releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, which is a natural way to alleviate sciatic pain.

There are a number of types of non-surgical spine care professionals who specialize in treating sciatica symptoms, including chiropractors, physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists), pain medicine specialists, and physical therapists, all of whom have specialized training to provide pain relief and to help prevent future recurrences of sciatica. It is always advisable to have a qualified medical professional oversee any sciatica treatments.

Answer 2

At 2 you can be working of leading, and ground manners, but I wouldn't lunge/long rein until next year. Shetties are a natural, slower maturing breed. I would back at 4 years. I've worked on ground manners with my horse using clicker training. It suits her very well, and I'm eager to find a green horse to try it on. I have even taught my mare to came to call like a dog, and to stay. I wouldn't consider a horse properly halter broken unless you could lead them on a loose lead, not pulling them around. The pony should move back and over at a touch and be responsive to voice commands, which will help with lunging, long-rein and eventually under saddle. You could start some light loose schooling, and some gentle de-spook training. Be very careful not to over face the pony though. The "head-up" command would be very useful later, because ponies can pull their young riders off in search of grass. The "head-down" commend will also help young rider with bridle etc. Try to get the kids involved, it will be their pony after all. Show them the commands you're teaching and what to do if the pony doesn't respond straight way. Shetties normally are more stubborn (i.e. intelligent) than dangerous, and coupled with clicker training (as long as you have train the pony the take a treat properly) the training sessions should be calm, but it's up to you and the kids parents to decide if it's safe for them.

Answer 3

I am a lifetime Chiropractic Patient. So an adjustment would be my first suggestion. Then use the tubs, patches and pain relievers after that.

My Chiro. has solved my problem. It is usually the vertebrae that have shifted slightly and is pinching the sciatic nerve.

I go monthly to keep everything in excellent alignment, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and try to hold the pain at a distance as much as possible.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

taking a hot tub every night will be helpful
and you'd better Exercise for sciatica

Answer 5

Heat pads on your back at the affected area, also when sitting make sure your back is well supported all the time, put your legs up on a chair and again make sure that the whole leg is supported from ankel to above the knee.

I could take months to get back to normal it's a long process but just take it easy.

Answer 6

hi sciatic nerve is a large bundle of nerve fibres which exists in the spinal cordat the lower back and is resposible for controling and providing sensory functions to the muscles in your buttocks back of your legs top of the foot and into your big toe. try ibuprofen or naproxen or there is a natural remedy called relief elite pain remedy it has no side effects . you can get them over the counter.you might have to go to a health shop for the natural one. hope this helps

Answer 7

Ouch. I know that can hurt SO bad.

My mother and I both get it, and we find that sitting in a cool pool, (or warm hot tub) helps tremendously. I think it may be because you are almost weightless in the water, and it takes the pressure off.

Summer is at hand, take advantage and get in the pool or go to the beach.

Hope that helps :)

Answer 8

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

I would recommend those back supports you can buy, and you can also get those patches that heat up when you apply them. try swimming too that does help