A sciatica nerve in the human body extends from the lower back, i.e., hips, to the end of each leg. Due to irritation, injury, or any damage to the nerve, intense pain is felt along the lower end of the body. In most cases, sciatica pain occurs due to herniated(damaged) disc or pelvic muscle spasm. The pain usually occurs in one of the legs. A patient suffers from Sciatica if there is pain that seems to radiate in one side of the body. In this article, you will learn about different symptoms of Sciatica and the time it takes to end. Also, we will provide you with useful information on how to heal from severe pain by listing down different Sciatica exercises.
Types of Sciatica:
- Acute Sciatica: Acute Sciatica is a short-term condition lasting about 2-3 weeks or less. It is also seen as a temporary injury of the sciatica nerve, which gets healed by itself after taking proper rest. The pain is easily manageable and can be treated at home. Usually, the person suffering from Acute Sciatica does not visit a doctor.
- Chronic Sciatica: When the pain becomes unbearable and last for more than months, there are chances that the person is dealing with chronic conditions. Such cases require a quick doctor visit, and proper treatment should be taken. Sometimes, in chronic cases, there is a requirement for surgery too.
- Bilateral Sciatica: The type of Sciatica occurs in both legs and is found to be very rare. This is a more serious condition that needs to be treated.
How Long Do Patients Get Rid of Sciatica Pain?
- Acute Sciatica <4wks: As told above, the symptoms of acute Sciatica last for a week. People usually treat their pain at home by doing sciatica pain exercises and taking precautions.
- Chronic Sciatica>4 wks.: Chronic Sciatica takes time and lasts for months. There are also cases of symptoms coming back again. For people dealing with chronic conditions, lifestyle changes and continual sciatica treatment is required.
What Causes Sciatica?
There are many reasons behind the cause of Sciatica. However, the most common ones are given below:
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: The term stenosis means narrowing. In lumbar spinal stenosis, the space between the lumbar vertebrae gets narrowed, which causes pressure in the spinal cord and thus affects the sciatic nerve.
- Spondylolisthesis: It is a condition in which one vertebrae slips over other vertebrae, creating pressure on the nerve and causing Sciatica.
- Herniated Disc: Herniated disc is located between the vertebrae of the spine, and if the disc compresses any nerve, it may lead to pain caused in any one of the legs.
- Infection: Any infection that might affect the sciatic nerve can trigger pain.
- Other Symptoms: Other symptoms might include the most common mistakes one makes while working out. This includes lifting heavy weights using the wrong posture. Also, a person with diabetes or overweight issues can suffer.
How To Cure Sciatica?
The cure of Sciatica depends on the symptoms. If the symptoms are mild, the possible cure includes exercises or home remedies. However, for serious cases, medical treatment is required.
- Exercises/ Yoga: Many exercises are recommended for sciatica patients. The exercises can be in any form, including walking, swimming, or gentle yoga postures.
- Medical Treatment: If the symptoms are not in control after doing stretches and exercises. The healthcare provider will give you a prescription to ease your pain caused due to muscle spasms. One can also go for prescribed medicines.
- Apply ice/hot packs: This will give instant relief and is a proven method for getting freedom from the pain. Also, it has no side effects.
- Therapies: One can also go for physical therapies, which aim at reducing the pressure on the nerve, thus reducing the pain.
- Ayurvedic Treatment: Yes, you read it right. Most people prefer ayurvedic treatment of Sciatica. Many medicines are available in Ayurveda that helps people to heal and live with Sciatica.
Mild Symptoms V/s Serious Symptoms:
Symptoms of Sciatica vary from person to person. Here, we have categorized the condition into two:
- Mild symptoms: The condition is for chronic patients who might suffer from moderate pain in the lower back. The pain might move down to the whole leg and cause discomfort. Sometimes, the person might feel tingling sensations in the whole leg.
- Serious Symptoms: The symptoms include unbearable pain. There can be loss of bowel, or the person might lose control of the bladder. Numbness in the leg leads to serious symptoms.
Conclusion:
So, with this, we conclude that Sciatica is not a serious issue. One can easily live with the disease by taking some precautions and exercising consistently. Any stress triggers the disease. Taking the guidance of the right doctor and a healthy lifestyle must always be put forward. Always remember positivity is the best treatment for any disease.