Does Sitting for Long Hours Cause Sciatica?

From zliving.com

An ache or tingling that runs down the back and possibly all the way through the legs may be an indication of sciatic nerve pain. The condition, also known as sciatica, is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body.
In recent times, there has been an increase in the cases of sciatic pain and this could be because many of us spend a fair share of the day sitting. To avoid or reduce the occurrence of sciatic nerve pain, it is advised to use an ergonomic chair, especially if your work involves long hours of sitting; getting up and stretching every hour or so is recommended too.

Causes and Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica is caused by a compressed sciatic nerve; this compression can occur due to the herniation of the lumbar disc and other conditions like:

• Irritation of the nerve from adjacent bones
• Tumours
• Internal bleeding
• Degenerative arthritis
• Infections
• Piriformis syndrome
• Spondylolisthesis
• Pregnancy

Sciatic nerve pain is characterized by pain that radiates from the lower spine down the back of the legs causing discomfort, pain and tingling along the sciatic nerve and its branches.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sciatica

The diagnosis of sciatica involves a series of muscle tests and the following imaging tests to pinpoint the cause of sciatica:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Spinal X-ray to determine the presence of tumors
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan

Sciatica is a symptom, not a condition, which means that its treatment begins with identifying the root cause of the pain.

Here are some common treatment strategies that many people follow:

• Home remedies likes stretching, simple exercises, alternating hot and cold packs, over-the-counter pain medications and rest
• Physical therapy for sciatica pain that may last for more than a week
• More aggressive treatments like prescription pain medications or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Natural remedies, acupuncture and massage to relieve pain and inflammation

Maintaining a good posture is essential for preventing back pain and related conditions. It is also essential to follow a healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise. Individuals with sciatica may also benefit from yoga, which offers numerous poses for maintaining good posture.

The content of this Website is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.

https://www.zliving.com/health/diseases-conditions/sciatic-nerve-pain-99948/

What Are the Conditions Treated by Spine Surgeons?

By Rohit Bhatia

Spine is an important part of the body's structure. There are 33 bones individual bones in the spine and they are stacked on top of each other. The primary function of spine is to provide support to the body and allowing us to do different physical movements such as standing, bending, sitting etc. Apart from this, strength and stability is also provided by them. There are some diseases and conditions which are suffered by the body and only treated with the help of best spine surgeons.

These may be due to injuries that are suffered by the body while playing contact sports or vehicular accidents. But there are some conditions too. Best spine doctors have mentioned the following conditions -

• Sciatica - It is a common condition which is felt by the leg. It originates from the lower back and travels down to one or both the legs. It is caused by a herniated disc or spur in the bone which is pressing on the nerve. It usually affects one side of the body.
• Scoliosis - It is a disorder in which the shape of the spine becomes slightly disfigured. There is occurrence of tilting in one side. It occurs during the growing age just before puberty. Most of the cases are not painful but people with severe scoliosis can feel pain and discomfort.
• Spinal Stenosis - in simple terms, it is the narrowing of the spinal canal. It can either be cervical or lumbar spinal stenosis. This condition adds pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves present within spine. Older people are commonly diagnosed with this as there is wear and tear of the spine.
• Degenerative Disk Disease - it is also known as osteoarthritis. It usually happens in the neck or lower back. It is the breakdown of the intervertebral disc leading to hernia. The most common symptom is pain which is caused as the spine loses flexibility and the bone spurs add pressure on the nerve root.

Spine surgery hospitals are done with the help of the following surgeries -
• Spinal Fusion - spinal fusion is the common method which is provided by the surgeons. It is considered as a welding process in which in which two different painful vertebrae are joined together into a single solid bone. The main aim of this procedure is to remove any motion between the vertebrae. For additional leg pain, you can also be suggested laminectomy. After the procedure, there is some pain which is a natural part of the healing process. It may take several months before your spine is fully healed.
• Lumbar Discectomy - It is a minimally invasive surgery which is performed in spine surgery hospitals. It is done to fix a disc in the lower back. Instead of using a large incision, small incisions are made in the body. The outer wall of the disc which sits between the each vertebra dries out and weakens with age and injury. A small tube is inserted through the back. Tiny small tools are inserted through the tube to remove a part of the disc. You can go home the same or the next day.
• Spinal Disc Replacement - as the name suggests, it includes taking out the diseased spinal discs. It is a last resort for problems such as degenerative disc disease which is not responding to any other non invasive treatment. Artificial prosthesis is used in place of the diseased discs. It is preferred as a minimally invasive method as it is done with several small incisions instead of a long one.

http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-the-Conditions-Treated-by-Spine-Surgeons?&id=9959582

What to Expect During the First Chiropractic Visit

From t2conline.com

The main duty of a chiropractor is to relieve symptoms as soon as possible and using as few treatments as possible. A chiropractor will also give you advice on how to manage your condition, more so when it comes to sciatica or back pain. The objective of this article is to help you understand what to expect during your first visit to a chiropractor.
After finding the right chiropractor for their needs, some people conduct the first interviews over phone. Although this option is viable and will save you time, it is recommended to conduct the interview in person. That way, you will have a focused discussion with the chiropractor and clearly understand his approach. The following is what you can expect from the first office clinical exam.
Patient’s history and symptoms
To better understand your condition, the chiropractor will want to learn more about your medical history and symptoms. You will be required to fill out a form which offers background information on your symptoms. Some of the questions you will be required to answer include the following:

• When did the pain start?
• What initially triggered the pain?
• How is the pain? Is it dull, sharp, searing or throbbing? Does the pain come and go or is it continuous?
• Did you start experiencing the pain after an injury?
• What circumstances/activities worsen or relieve the symptoms?

You may also be required to provide information about your family medical history as well as pre-existing medical issues. Additionally, you may have to provide information on your current or previous healthcare provider.

Chiropractic exam
The next step in an Omosols chiropractic treatment is the chiropractic exam. The exam includes basic tests such as pulse, blood pressure, reflexes and respiration. Specific neurological and orthopedic tests will follow. These are done to assess the following:

• Muscle tone
• Range of motion in the area that is affected
• Neurological integrity
• Muscle strength

More tests may be done to better understand your condition. You might, for example, be asked to move in a specific way and your posture will be analysed. The range of tests done vary depending on your symptoms.
Diagnostic studies
Once your history is considered and the chiropractic exam is completed, the chiropractor will use this information to come up with diagnostic studies. These studies are essential in identifying the structural abnormalities as well as revealing the pathologies. They are used to diagnose your condition.

It is, however, important to note that the diagnostic studies are not a must on a first appointment. They are only considered when the chiropractor has a valid reason that x-rays and other tests will offer more information on your condition. The common diagnostic studies that you can expect include:

• MRI scans
• X-ray exam
• A range of laboratory tests

You need to get the best chiropractor to take on your case in order to receive the best treatment. Even with the right training and certifications, not every chiropractor out there will give you the results you are looking for. Always take the time to dig deeper into the practice of a chiropractor before choosing him or her.

http://t2conline.com/what-to-expect-during-the-first-chiropractic-visit/

Many back pain patients 'getting wrong care'

From bbc.co.uk

Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability globally but too often patients are let down by the treatment they are offered, say experts.

They have written a series of papers in The Lancet asking the worldwide medical profession to stop offering ineffective and potentially harmful treatments.
Strong drugs, injections and surgery are generally overkill, they say, with limited evidence that they help.
Most back pain is best managed by keeping active, they advise.
Recommendations that doctors follow in the UK are clear about what investigations and treatment patients should expect.

Some patients will require a scan to rule out underlying causes, but in most cases they are deemed unnecessary because they are likely to be inconclusive.

Signs that something more significant might be wrong include:

• difficulty passing urine
• feeling the needing to pass urine, when there is none there
• impaired sexual function such as loss of sensation during intercourse
• numbness or tingling in the genitals or buttocks
• loss of bladder or bowel control
• loss of power in legs

Most adults will experience back pain at some point.
Episodes are usually short-lasting with no consequence, but recurrence is common - about one in three people will have a recurrence within a year of recovering from a previous bout, according to the researchers.
UK guidelines recommend a mix of physical exercise, advice and support to help patients cope with symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.
Health staff should not treat back pain or sciatica with equipment such as belts, corsets, foot supports or shoes with special soles.
They should not offer acupuncture, traction (stretching the back using weights or machines), or electrotherapy (passing electric current or ultrasound waves through the body), says the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
A doctor may offer an opioid pain medicine, such as codeine, if anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, have not helped or the doctor thinks they are not right for the patient.
But opioid pain medicine can cause dependence.

Ten things you should know about your back

1) Your back is stronger than you may think - the spine is strong and not easily damaged, so in most instances the pain will be down to a simple sprain or strain
2) You rarely need a scan
3) Avoid bed rest and get moving (but avoid aggravating activities)
4) Do not fear bending or lifting - do it in a way that is comfortable, using the hips and knees
5) Remember that exercise and activity can reduce and prevent back pain
6) Painkillers will not speed up your recovery
7) Surgery is rarely needed
8) Get good quality sleep if you can, because it will help you feel better overall
9) You can have back pain without any damage or injury
10) If it doesn't clear up, seek help but don't worry - book an appointment to see your doctor or physiotherapist if the pain persists
Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Prof Martin Underwood, from Warwick University, who is one of the 31 authors of The Lancet papers, said: "Our current treatment approaches are failing to reduce the burden of back pain disability.
"We need to change the way we approach back pain treatment in the UK and help low- and middle-income countries to avoid developing high-cost services of limited effectiveness.
"Quite a lot of people get exposed to high-tech medical and invasive procedures. There's very little evidence base to support their use."
Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard, who chairs the Royal College of GPs, said: "One size does not fit all."
"We know that being active and working is good for our patients' health, so GPs and our teams will readily advocate lifestyle changes to patients that can help ease their pain and keep them in work, but for some patients, particularly in more serious cases, there is a limit to how realistic a significant amount of exercise is.
"For these patients whilst not a cure, drug-therapy can provide a great deal of relief and should not be dismissed entirely - the most effective approach, as with any medication, is that it should be prescribed at the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time."
She added: "It is also the case that access to psychological treatments, such as talking therapies, which we know can be beneficial for patients suffering from lower back pain, is patchy across the country."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43469300

Sciatica and Physiotherapy

By Divya Singhal 

Sciatica is the pain, tingling, or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. It goes down through the buttock, then its branches extend down the back of the leg to the ankle. The pain of sciatica is typically felt from the low back (lumbar area) to behind the thigh and can radiate down below the knee. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. The pain of sciatica is sometimes also referred to as sciatic nerve pain.
Well! If you have Sciatica, your:
Bottom
Back of your legs
Feet and toes
may feel:
Painful - the pain may be stabbing, burning or shooting
Tingling - like pins and needles
Numb
Weak

What causes sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc (herniated disc) in the spine pressing against the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve.
In rare cases, sciatica can also be caused by conditions that do not involve the spine, such as tumors or pregnancy.
Sciatica also can be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, such as narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), bone spurs (small, bony growths that form along joints) caused by arthritis, or nerve root compression (pinched nerve) caused by injury.
Irritation of the nerve from adjacent bone, muscle, internal bleeding, infections in or around the lumbar spine, injury, and other causes.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of sciatica include pain that begins in your back or buttock and moves down your leg and may move into your foot. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg may also occur.
Sitting, standing for a long time, and movements that may cause the spine to flex for a longer period of time(such as knee-to-chest exercises) may make symptoms worse.
Walking, lying down, and movements that extend the spine (such as press-ups) may relieve symptoms.

How is sciatica diagnosed?
Sciatica is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam. Sometimes X-rays and other tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are done to help find the cause of sciatica.

How is it treated?
In many cases, sciatica will improve and go away with time. Initial treatment usually focuses on medicines and Physiotherapy or Physical therapy to relieve pain. You can help relieve pain by
Incorporating a combination of strengthening, stretching exercises and aerobic conditioning are a central component of almost any sciatica treatment plan.
When patients engage in a regular program of gentle exercises, they can recover more quickly from sciatica pain and are less likely to have future episodes of pain.
It is very important that the patient is physically an active participant in therapy and can take responsibility in the treatment process.
One needs to get EXCLUSIVE exercise sessions from a physiotherapist.


http://ezinearticles.com/?Sciatica-and-Physiotherapy&id=9908648

What is the Most Common Cause of Back Pain?

From checkbiotech.org

Being one of the most common reasons for absence from work, school and sometimes even doctor’s appointments, it may be uncomfortable and painful but not usually severe. Although it can affect people of any age, it is more common in people between 35 and 55 years of age. In the majority of cases the pain is not caused by anything serious, and with time gets better on its own. There are many options as to how to relieve the pain, but most of the time it just keeps coming back. The number one cause of back pain may be:
Strain: Strained muscles, ligaments, and a spasm. The things that can actually lead to this may be as a result of improperly lifting of anything, particularly heavy loads, or maybe as a result of an awkward or somewhat abrupt movement, or poor posture.

Spine Related Problems

Often, it occurs because something is not right in the way the spinal joints, muscles, discs, and nerves fit and move. The doctor can check to see if one has: a slipped disc (herniated disc), this disc is a soft (spongy) piece of cartilage that sits between vertebras. It separates the bony vertebra from one another, so they do not rub against each other. In case of a slipped disc, this soft piece of cartilage is no longer in place and has come off. This may be as a result of the wearing, tearing and shrinking of the disc. Often, it is due to aging or an accident.

Bulging Disc: although not as much as in a slipped disc, this bulge can press on a nerve and result in pain. It is usually asymptomatic and is only noticeable when it pushes on a nerve and instigates pain.

Spinal Stenosis: this is a usual case with people over 60 years of age, this occurs as a result of the narrowing of the spinal canal, which leads to the feeling of numbness in the legs and shoulders.

Degenerative Disc Disease: the spinal disc (shock absorbers) will shrink or tear as a result of old age, and causes the bones to rub against each other. This disc acts as a cushion, and with age, it wears out.

Arthritis: patients with osteoarthritis often experience problems in their joints. Especially the joints of the hips, lower back, knees, and In some cases, it can lead to the development of spinal stenosis, which is the term used to describe the narrowing of the space around the spinal cord.

Sciatica: this is a sharp and shooting pain that travels along the buttocks and down to the back of the leg, usually as a result of a bulging or herniated disk pressing on a nerve.

Wear and Tear of the Sacroiliac Joint: this is located exactly where the spine and pelvis meet each other. It does not move so much, but it is crucial in moving the weight of the upper body down to the lower body. The swelling and wearing away of this joint cartilage can occur after an injury, due to arthritis, infection, or in most cases even pregnancy.

Spondylolisthesis: A bone in the spine slides forward and moves out of place, more frequently in the lower back. The degenerative form of the condition is arthritis (discussed above), which makes the joints and ligaments weak in keeping the spine in place. It can make a disc to move forward over a vertebra.

Other causes

• Lifestyle: most back pains are as a result of the things one does while carrying out daily activities. Some of this things include; lifting heavy loads; slouching on the work or school desk; lack of exercise; overweight; always on high heels; driving for too long without a break; overstretching; standing or bending for a long time; to much tension on a muscle; even smoking.
• Emotions: Do not underestimate the power of feelings in terms of causing pain. Stress can bring about muscle tension in the back, while depression and anxiety may make the pain feel worse than it is.
• Cauda Equina Syndrome: the caudal equine is a spinal nerve roots bundle; it arises from the lower portion of the spinal cord. People with cauda equina syndrome feel a rather dull pain in the area of the lower back and upper buttocks, as well as an absence of feeling in the buttocks (numbness), genitals and thighs. Sometimes one may also experience bowel and bladder dysfunction.
• Abnormal Curvature of the Spine: if the spine curves in an unusual manner the patient is more likely to experience continuous back pain. An example is scoliosis which is a condition characterized by the one-sided deviation of the spine to one side.
• Tumors: although this occurs in rare cases, one has the possibility to get a tumor in the back. They are often spread by cancer that started somewhere else in the body. Less-common causes include Kidney stones; an infection; Endometriosis (a build-up of tissue, usually uterine tissue, outside the uterus); Osteomyelitis (an infection in the bones and spinal disc); Fibromyalgia (a condition that causes a muscle pain that spreads).

The back is a complex structure that is made up of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and intervertebral discs. A problem in any of the anatomical structures that make up the spine can lead to pain. The spine is divided into four areas: cervical (the neck area), thoracic (the upper back area), lumbar (the lower back area), and the sacral part.
Back pain can be classified into two, acute back pain and chronic back pain, based on their nature, depending on how long the patient’s symptoms last, the pain can be short-lived symptoms (less than three months), are also classified as acute pain. Conversely, symptoms that last longer than three months are automatically classified a chronic back pain. The symptoms of spine pain can also range from mild to severe, intermittent or constant. In addition to the physical pain, patients may also experience psychological symptoms like depression that are often linked to the back pain. The symptoms that accompany back pain can be so severe for some people that it inevitably affects the quality of life they live, which can be quite disturbing.

http://checkbiotech.org/common-cause-back-pain/

The Rundown on Sciatica

By Brennan McMahon

What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that is not a disease or sickness in itself, but rather is a symptom of an underlying problem.
Major enervation of the legs, buttocks and lower back are by the sciatic nerve, which is the largest single nerve in the body. It originates from a nerve cluster in the spinal cord that combines in the lower back to run through the buttocks and send branches of nerve endings all through the lower limbs, down to the toes.
When the sciatic nerve is compromised in any way, the resulting pain affects all of the muscles connected to it, causing a radiating pain that originates in the lower back and radiates down the leg to the foot.

Causes and Symptoms
The major cause of sciatica is from a lumbar disc herniation, which is when there is a rupture of the disc supporting the lumbar vertebrae in the lower spine. This can cause the disc to press on the sciatic nerve.

Other causes may include:

• Slipped disc (called isthmic spondylolisthesis) where one vertebrae can slip forward over another due to a small fracture or stress to the disc.
• Spinal and disc degeneration due to age is normal, but it can be severe in some individuals. This can be due to genetics, a lifetime of medication, lack of exercise, or have no cause at all. The degenerated disc and bones can pinch the nerve and cause sciatic pain.
• Arthritis due to age, which may cause spinal stenosis (enlargement of the disc and soft tissue surrounding the disc) and attendant pain due to pressure on the nerve.

Other less common causes are built-up trauma to the leg over time (like with athletes), tumors, infections that affect the lumbar spine, internal bleeding around the sciatic nerve and bone interference in the path of the nerve (like with a fracture or shift), causing irritation and pain.

The symptoms of sciatica are mostly pain related and include:

• Radiating pain that affects the leg and foot.
• Lack of sensation and difficulty in movement of the lower limbs.
• Sharp pain when standing or trying to walk, which gets worse on sitting down.
• Neurological symptoms like progressive loss of sensation in the leg and lack of bowel and bladder control, which are signs of a more serious underlying condition.

Treatment Options

Most times, sciatic pain is not serious enough to warrant a hospital visit, and it goes away after a matter of weeks. However, the pain can become all-consuming for some patients, and they will seek relief. Treatment for sciatica is mostly non-surgical, aiming at reducing and eliminating the pain it causes.

Therapy

• Steroid injections can be given directly into the affected lumbar area to reduce inflammation and pain relief. The effects can be short-lived, but it helps the patient to be able to focus on their daily lives and also take part in other therapy options like exercise.
• Massage can help to increase circulation, release endorphins that cancel out pain, and relax the muscles that may be contributing to the pinched nerve. It is a recommended alternative treatment for sciatica, however short-lived the effects.
• Acupuncture is an approved method of pain relief, not just for sciatica but for other pain-causing conditions too. It would be prudent to employ the services of a registered practitioner.
• Some special exercises can help with lumbar spine alignment and pain relief. Stretching and aerobic exercises are recommended to the patient, with a regimen than can last weeks or months.

Surgery

When sciatic nerve impairment gets so serious that the patient is losing sensation in the lower limbs, or cannot move at all, then surgery might be needed to immediately free the sciatic nerve and prevent permanent nerve injury.
Keep in mind that sciatica surgery is a last resort, only recommended after all other less invasive options have been exhausted.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Rundown-on-Sciatica&id=9870484