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What is Sciatica
Sciatica is pain in the leg due to irritation of the sciatic nerve. This pain usually goes from the back of the thigh to the back of the calf, and may extend to the hips and legs. In addition to pain, there may be numbness and difficulty moving and controlling the leg.
Although sciatica is a form of pain relatively common, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is a set of symptoms, not the diagnosis for what is irritating the nerve and causing pain.
Causes of sciatica
Sciatica is usually caused by compression of the nerve root in the lumbar spine, and far less common by compression of the sciatic nerve itself. Thus, the "true sciatica is caused by compression of the nerve root by a herniated disk, thickening and enlarge and / or misaligned vertebra. The "pseudo-sciatica" is caused by compression of more peripheral sections of the nerve, usually by soft tissue tension in the piriformis muscle or other related. Eating unhealthy postures, such as staying too long sitting in a chair or sleeping in a fetal position, along with stretching and exercise short of the relevant myofascial areas, can cause problems in the spine and soft tissue associated with sciatica. Other causes of sciatica include infections and tumours.
Sciatica can also occur during late pregnancy, whether as a result of the uterus pressing the sciatic nerve, or secondarily due to muscular tension or vertebral compression associated with the extra weight and postural changes.
Treatment of sciatica
Because many conditions can compress the sciatic nerve roots and cause sciatica, treatment options often differ. Treating the cause behind the compression is usually the practice more efficient. When the cause is due to prolapsed lumbar intravertebral disk or herniated, research has shown that with supportive treatment to relieve pain in 90% of cases no recovery without specific intervention.
Most cases of sciatica can be treated effectively with physical therapy, neuromuscular therapy or acupuncture, appropriate changes of habits and environment. Other treatment options include conservative therapy Somatic Movement, anti-inflammatories and analgesics. Around 10-20% of cases surgery is needed to correct the problem.
Acupuncture in the treatment of Sciatica...
Last updated: 09/02/2012
