Over-the-counter sprays, sports creams and ointments that have analgesic properties can be useful for pain control of the Disc Herniation, without any intestinal side-effects.  Menthol is the active ingredient which works to block pain receptors and help relieve pain in the soft tissue and joints.  The higher the menthol percentage, the stronger the formula.  Some companies use as much as 16 percent menthol, but that much is not necessary to achieve results and can cause burning side effects.  Menthol can be derived naturally from peppermint or be synthetically produced.  Natural menthol penetrates the skin more effectively.   Other ingredients such as capsaicin, peppermint and eucalyptus can also help to block pain.  Keep in mind that capsaicin or capsicum are responsible for the burning/tingling sensation that occurs in the same pepper spray that police use to stop attackers.  Use of these Cayenne pepper derivatives can leave residual numbness and tingling in an area for days after each use.  Some companies are also using other herbs believed to have natural healing, relaxing and mild anti-inflammatory properties such as MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) and Glucosamine, but most only add trivial amounts.  Glucosamine and MSM are usually taken in oral pill form.  Dosages usually range between 1,000-1,500 mg a day.  Glucosamine is currently undergoing many trials to determine effectiveness for helping cartilage repair.  Studies have demonstrated that patients with deterioration of joint cartilage halt and even regenerate the tissue after taking Glucosamine for at least six weeks.

For a topical pain reliever to work effectively it needs to have a good transport mechanism (ability to let ingredients be able to pass through the first layer of skin down to the deeper tissues below).  In theory, supplements such as Glucosamine Sulfate and MSM have small enough molecules to pass through the skin barrier and not just affect the top of the skin, but rather penetrate deeper down.  Because Glucosamine and MSM absorb so well, they also make great skin conditioners.  Where as taking Glucosamine and MSM will affect your whole body, placing it over an area can add 28 times more than a pill would provide over a specific area.  Topical pain relievers with oils and waxy substances like glycerin, strearic acid and cetyl alcohol would make a poor transport mechanism for ingredients like Glucosamine and MSM, yet some companies continue to use this ingredient.  While methyl and propyl paraben are preservatives that offer an indefinite shelf life, they also lessen the penetration of a topical pain reliever.

Therefore, the best type of topical analgesic is one that combines good powerful natural ingredients, with a good transport mechanism that has no preservatives, but also no oils to block penetration or eventually turn the formula rancid.

Sciatica is pain running down your leg in a pattern determined by the sciatic nerve. The pain often starts within the low back again – (due to a herniated disc) – or within the buttock – (due to piriformis syndrome) – and extends as far as your toes. It could be accompanied by numbness, ‘pins and needles’ (“paresthesias”) or, in more severe cases, actual weakness affecting the ankle or toes may accompany the sciatica.

Sciatica is really a form of pain that’s called a “radiculopathy” in medical terminology. This means that it frequently follows the path of the single spinal nerve root such as the Lumbar 5 (L5) or Sacral 1 (S1). This is frequently the situation when sciatica is due to a herniated disc or bulging disc. If the cause is in the lumbar spine, the sciatica – or leg discomfort – is frequently accompanied by back again pain.

Some patients also encounter sciatica pain affecting all the dermatomes within the sciatic nerve, L4, L5 and S1. This sort of “pan-sciatic syndrome” may be due to piriformis muscle syndrome. This condition is because of a muscle within the buttock that goes into spasm and pinches the sciatic nerve.

When the sciatica symptom is due to a herniated disc, it frequently affects a single strip of skin or dermatome. A far lateral herniated disc impacts the exiting nerve root – in this picture, the L4 root is compressed by an L4/L5 lateral disk herniation. More commonly, however, the disk bulge is close towards the body’s midline. The illustration shows an L5/S1 disk herniation affecting the transiting S1 root but leaving the L5 root undisturbed. The patient’s detailed distribution of symptoms must match exactly with the MRI findings in the spine prior to a back surgery can be recommended.

Sciatica Terms and Conditions:

* Sciatica and pregnancy – The symptom of sciatica can be triggered during pregnancy for three reasons. The added weight and bending stress on the spine can worsen a bulging disc. The expanded uterus within the pelvis can press on some the lumbar and sacral spinal nerves that help form the sciatic nerve. Additional stresses from the weight of the pregnancy can trigger a piriformis syndrome.

* Sciatica and Back Discomfort – Radiating pain down the leg frequently occurs along with back again discomfort, nevertheless, the two symptoms are not usually linked. In piriformis syndrome, there might be buttock and leg discomfort without back again pain. Also, a herniated disk will occasionally trigger buttock and leg pain with virtually no back again pain. When you’ve back again discomfort alone but no sciatica, then your problem is generally something other than a herniated disk. Back discomfort alone can even have it’s roots in life tension, nevertheless sciatica is almost always an indication of the particular nerve related problem.

* Sciatica Treatment: Exercise, Accupuncture, and Chiropractors – When sciatica is because of the muscle spasm of piriformis syndrome, specialized workouts – often directed by a physical therapist – could be helpful, but workouts can make sciatica worse if it is due to a herniated disc. Accupuncture makes it simpler to tolerate the discomfort but doesn’t fix the problem. Chiropractors could be helpful or harmful in any situation of sciatica depending on their skill and experience.

Sciatica refers to the pain and discomfort caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve or nerve roots. This nerve is the longest nerve in the body which runs from the lower back and pelvis, through the hip and buttock area, down to the back of each leg, and controls many of the muscles in these areas.

When one of the nerve roots in the lower spine is irritated or compressed, the result is pain felt in the lower back, buttock region and/or parts of the leg and foot. This pain can range from an infrequent discomfort to a continuous, excruciating and debilitating pain accompanied by sensations of numbness or weakness in the lower limbs.

It is important to note that Sciatica is not a disorder, but rather a set of symptoms that may differ slightly depending on the cause, which nerve root is being compressed, and why.

Sciatica is more common among people between the ages of 30 and 50 years, and is often the result of general wear and tear, rather than specific injury. While Sciatica can be excruciatingly painful, permanent nerve damage is very rare and the pain symptoms often go away by themselves within about 6 weeks without any invasive treatments. There are however a few treatment options to help relieve the pain and discomfort, and encourage faster healing.

What are the symptoms Sciatica?

Sciatica often causes a pain that radiates from your lower back, all the way through the buttock region to the back of your thigh and calf. It typically only affects one side of the body and may affect all the various areas along this nerve path, however, it frequently follows a descending pattern of pain starting from the lower back and traveling downwards. The pain may also vary between individuals and may be experienced in the following ways:

• Numbing, burning or tingling sensations in the legs or toes
• Extremely painful shooting pains that tend to worsen when walking, sitting, coughing, sneezing or after any physical activity.
• Muscle weakness or poor co-ordination in the leg or foot
• A constant pain on the one side of your buttock
• Lower back pain present with severe leg pain

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is usually occurs when a nerve root in the lower spine is pinched or compressed. The most common cause for this is a herniated disk (slipped disk) in the lower back. This happens when the one of the disks that cushions the vertebrae slips out of place or ruptures and presses or puts pressure on a nerve. While this is the most common cause of Sciatica, other less common conditions can also result in pressure on the spinal nerves such as:

• Spinal stenosis – a condition that causes a narrowing of the canal that holds the spinal cord and many nerve roots. This may cause pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Spondylolisthesis – a condition where one vertebra slips forward over another vertebra causing pressure on the sciatic nerve. This condition is often a result of degenerative disk disease.
• Piriformis syndrome – this occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes trapped by the piriformis muscle in the upper thigh. When the muscle becomes tense or goes into spasm it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Spinal tumors – Tumors in the spinal cord can cause pressure on the sciatica nerve or the nerve roots as they grow.
• Trauma or injury – A bad fall or a car accident can cause damage to the sciatica nerve or the nerve roots or cause swelling that puts pressure on the nerve.
• Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or the general wear and tear of aging may cause sciatica.

When should I worry about Sciatica?

Mild Sciatic will usually go away by itself if given a little patience and rest. Your doctor may be able to advise you on appropriate self-care techniques and treatments that may help ease your pain and discomfort. However, if you find that your symptoms change or worsen, or extend beyond six weeks, you should seek medical attention.

It is also important to seek an emergency medical assessment if you experience any of the following:

• Sciatica-like pain following an injury or accident
• Any sudden pain or numbness in back or leg that is severe or unbearable
• The or pain or weakness is getting increasingly worse after a week rather than better
• Sciatica before the age of 20 or after the age of 55
• The pain is accompanied by a fever, chills, or vomiting
• Loss of bladder or bowel control or numbness in the genital region

Diagnosing Sciatica

Your general practitioner will probably ask you a number of questions relating to your symptoms and how long they have been with you. A physical examination of your back and legs may include various stretching exercises, muscle strength and reflex tests which will help your doctor pinpoint the source of pain and the severity.

If your Sciatica has persisted for longer than 6 to 7 weeks, your doctor may suggest further tests such as a spine x-ray, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or blood work for a full blood count (especially if you have another condition such as HIV or cancer).

Help for Sciatica

In most cases, Sciatica will disappear on its own with a little time and patience. Try keeping to your normal routine as much as possible, while avoiding pain triggers such as bending over to pick things up, or moving heavy things. In the mean time, explore a few of the following treatment options:

There are many home-care tips that will help ease your pain and discomfort. Try a few of the following:

• A cold ice pack (even a packet of frozen peas will do) wrapped in a towel and held on the painful area for approximately 15-20 minutes should help reduce inflammation and provide mild pain relief. Repeat this through out the day.
• A hot pack or even regular hot baths will also help relax tight muscles that may be putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Ask your doctor, or search the internet for back stretching exercises to help relieve sciatica. Remember to avoid rigorous or jerking movements during this time. A regular exercise routine will help release endorphins which will help reduce pain as well as help you manage the pain. It may also help with preventing recurrence of sciatica.

Physical Therapy
If your Sciatica is the result of a herniated disk (slipped disk), a physical therapist will probably play a vital role in your recovery. After a thorough assessment, they will develop and facilitate a treatment plan that may include exercises to relax and strengthen muscles, as well as improving flexibility and posture.

Drug Treatments
Over the counter pain relief medication or anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen may be useful in helping to reduce the pain and provide mild relief. Ensure that you do not exceed the recommended dose as these medications still have serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach ulcers, and liver problems.

Your doctor may also prescribe stronger pain medication or muscle relaxants, as well as ant-depressants that will help you cope with chronic pain. In more severe cases an epidural steroid injection may be advised to help reduce inflammation and pressure on the nerve. These injections are not always very effective and can also cause serious side-effects. Because of the dangers, there is a limit on how many of these injections an individual can receive – not usually more than three per year.

Surgery
In very severe cases where Sciatica is causing symptoms such as weakness, incontinence of the bowel or bladder, or if the pain is worsening despite treatment, surgery may be performed to remove the herniated part of a disc.

Natural Remedies

An alternative to allopathic medication can offer the same benefits without the unwanted side effects. Natural herbal and homeopathic remedies have been shown to greatly relieve the pain and discomfort of sciatica, as well as prevent reoccurrence. Herbs such as Matricaria recutita, Arctium lappa and Devil’s Claw all have powerful anti-inflammatory properties and have been used for centuries in the treatment of backache and muscle cramps. Homeopathic ingredients such as Rhus tox and Colocynthis are also well known for the treatment of pain, muscle soreness and stiffness as well as nerve pain.

The longest nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve, can be a source of much pain if it is compressed. The pain is often unbearable, and pain management is sometimes required in order to function on a daily basis.

Many people believe that sciatica pain is a disease whereas it is truly only a symptom of some disorder. The disorder could be related to the spinal cord or a non-spinal muscle called the piriformis.

Generally, sciatica pain occurs on one side of the body and radiates through the length of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back to your toes. Chronic sciatica pain that does not subside within three months can lead to complex physical and mental side effects. Persistent stress of chronic sciatica can bring on a chain reaction leading to further pain since it weakens the nervous system and the immune system.

Management of pain may be categorized in the following main and subcategories:

Conventional Sciatic Nerve Treatment

• Drugs
• Epidurals

Sciatica Alternative Remedies

• Home Remedies
• Exercise & Aquatic exercise
• Alteration in daily activities
• Improved Nutrition

• Natural
• Homoeopathy
• Ayurvedic herbs and massages
• Chiropractic
• Cold & Heat Therapies
• Acupuncture
• Acupressure

Conventional sciatic nerve treatment for pain relief includes pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs. In cases of severe and chronic pain, a physician may advise epidural steroid injections.

Sciatica alternative remedies include a number of options and can be chosen based on personal preferences.  Sciatica is not likely to cure itself over time and while undergoing therapy, it is important to control and manage pain. Exercise helps in healing, and a regular exercise regime can preserve mobility and functionality to a reasonable level.

It is pertinent that you alter the way you go about business in your normal schedule. Care needs to be taken that the back is not harmed and that you maintain safe practices. Make sure to follow these steps:

• Correct posture while sitting.
• Use of a low back support.
• Periodic change in position while sitting to relieve stress.
• Bend at your knees when you need to lift something. Do not put pressure on your waist.
• Opt for a comfortable mattress that will support your back.

Nutrition is one thing that we usually do not associate with pain, and you may be surprised to know that water and oxygen are extremely necessary to maintain healthy vertebral discs.

• Sipping water throughout the day is highly recommended.
• Caffeinated drinks and alcohol decrease hydration and bring about cramps in muscles. Avoid them as much as you can.

Natural therapies like homoeopathy, chiropractic manipulation, ice/cold therapy, and ultrasound wave induced heat therapy are known to have given good results in sciatica pain management.

Acupressure is a system of applying pressure at vital points called Meridians. This enables free flow of the vital energy force of the body. Acupuncture, on the other hand, attempts to do the same by inserting very fine sterile needle at the appropriate Meridians.

Ayurvedic herbal remedies and massages, extremely popular in India, have a long lasting affect on loosening the muscles that have become stiff. They also help in propping the spinal column.

Some kind of pain management is extremely important since no therapy can guarantee complete elimination of pain. It allows you to manage life in a better manner.

If you are in too much pain to exercise – then try these.

Lying on the floor with legs on a chair

Many Physiotherapists will recommend you lie in this position when you are in extreme pain.

First of all find a suitable chair and a pillow. Ease yourself onto the floor and roll over onto your back. Pull the chair towards yourself and place your lower legs and feet over the chair. Your upper legs from the trunk to the knee should be almost at right angles to the floor, such that the chair is almost touching you. Place a pillow under your head. Try to relax your entire body – soft relaxing music might help

Leaning over a worktop.

I found this particularly helpful to bring relief to my sciatic pain. Stand close to a suitable worktop. I chose the one next to the sink. Grip the worktop with both hands and gently ease yourself up and forward so that you are now leaning over the worktop – maintain your grip.

This website is packed with useful information for people who suffer from lower back pain and sciatica pain. As someone who has suffered from lower back pain and sciatica I thought the least I could do was list everything I found helpful to me.

You may well have arrived at this web page because you are in pain.
You could well be searching the web to find a solution to your low back problem

Well I can’t promise you a miracle cure or anything like that, but I can show you what helped me find a cure for my lower back pain and sciatica and maybe this will help you to find a way to cope with your low back pain or sciatic pain.

It took me a long time before I found a cure for my back problems, so I thought the least I could do was share all the information I uncovered.

All the information is FREE. Use this website as a resource. You are welcome to copy any of it and share it with other sufferers of sciatica pain and lower back pain.

Help to overcome lower back pain and sciatica pain

This is my story of how I managed to overcome dehabilitating sciatica pain and lower back pain. I sincerely hope that by reading this you will find new hope, especially if you think you have pinched sciatic nerve symptoms or low back problems.

• I will tell you what exercises I found the most effective to help relieve my lower back pain and sciatica pain symptoms.
• I will show you what I discovered to be the most effective pain relief positions for back pain and sciatic pain, when I was suffering from a herniated disc (also known as a prolapsed or slipped disc).
• I’ll tell you all about TENs machines and why you should think about purchasing a discount tens unit. (Tens machines are probably one of the most effective ways of obtaining pain relief from lower back pain and sciatica nerve pain or pinched sciatic nerve symptoms.)
• I will show you what stretches I do on a daily basis, (I cannot stress enough the importance of correct stretching.)to keep lower back pain and sciatica pain at bay.
• I’ll tell you how I stumbled onto a better alternative to NSAIDs for providing relief for pinched sciatic nerve pain.
• I will also tell you about the best books I’ve read and what gems I’ve found in them to help treat lower back pain and sciatica symptoms.
• In addition to all this I will also list some useful web sites with helpful information for all those looking for hernaited disc pain relief or remedies for sciatica pain or other low back problems.

Important advice for those new to lower back problems and sciatica pain

If you are new to low back pain or sciatica perhaps the most important thing to do after a days rest is to start doing gentle stretching and exercise. This may well be the last thing you wish to contemplate particularly when it is even painful just to move. Sometimes the best way to get started is to do some gentle stretches before you get out of bed. Always ask your heath care provider what ones are suitable for you.