The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body. It goes from the lower back all the way down to the base of the leg. When there is a disorder associated with the sciatic nerve, it is known as Sciatica. 

Sciatica, however, does not necessarily need a surgery or a very elaborate procedure to fix the problem. Most commonly, it is treated simply by practicing a number of simple exercises. Here are some of the most common exercises prescribed to treat Sciatica:

1. Reclining Pigeon Pose:
There are three main forms of the pigeon pose. These are sitting, reclining and then forwarding. It is recommended that if you have very recently started your treatment for Sciatica, then certainly you should go for the reclining pose. In this pose, you are supposed to hold your left leg in the air at a right angle to your back. Then, hold your ankle against the knee. Finally, repeat this stretch with the right leg as well.

2. Knee to Opposite Shoulder:
In this stretch, the starting position is on your back side. You have to have your legs out and feet upwards. From this position, try to bring your right leg towards your left shoulder. Hold this for 30 seconds and then release and relax. Repeat this activity three times and repeat the whole procedure with your other leg. Only take your leg as far as it goes.

3. Sitting Spinal Stretch:
At the start of this exercise, sit on the ground with your legs going straight outwards and your feet flexed in the upward direction. Pull your left knee and put it on the outside of your right knee. Finally, place your right elbow on the left knee, so that your body turns to the left. Hold for 30 seconds and then relax. Repeat the procedure with the other knee.

4. Standing Hamstring Stretch:
Put your foot on an elevated surface such that it is above the floor, but not above hip level. Flex your toes forward such that your feet and legs are nearly in a straight line. Bend as far towards the foot as possible. However, do not stretch so far that you feel pain. Finally, repeat this procedure on the other side after release.

Exercises For Sciatica

The term Sciatica is used to describe leg pain, tingling, numbness or weakness that travels down the low back via the sciatic nerve to the back of leg. Sciatic nerve arises from each side of lower spine and passes deep in the buttock along the back of thigh and legs. The pain of Sciatica may be irregular/ infrequent or persistent causing severe agony to the patients. The pain of Sciatica may be confined to low back or hips or may extend up to toes. The pain of Sciatica can be excruciating and "not relieved by painkillers".

What causes Sciatica?

Pain in Sciatica is due to irritation or pinching of Sciatic nerve within the spine. This occurs most commonly due to prolapsed intervertebral disc (slip disc) causing nerve compression resulting in pain.

Is surgery the only treatment for Sciatica?

Most patients can be managed with medication/exercises. So surgery is not the only way out. Patients who have severe pain can also benefit from "Epidural Steroid Injection". This treatment has proven to be effective in avoiding spine surgery in such patients.

What is Epidural Steroid Injection?

Epidural Steroid Injection is a procedure done by a Specialist (Interventional Pain) in an Operation Theatre using X-Ray (Image Intensifier) to locate exact level of injection. A drug mixture consisting of Steroid with Local Anaesthetic is injected at the epidural space of affected nerve root. The steroid washes away inflammatory mediators from the epidural space which decreases the pain. Steroid also decreases the inflammatory response of body to the prolapsed disc. As a result the pain arising from nerve inflammation is decreased. This is a day care procedure i.e. the patients are discharged the same day.

How is the possibility of surgery ruled out?

Epidural Steroid Injection is a proven, safe and an effective treatment that works on the concept of Interventional pain management - to provide relief from persistent and chronic pain of Sciatica. Generally, a single injection is sufficient to relieve patients of the pain. The procedure can be repeated for a maximum 3 times in a year, depending on the patient's response. With effective pain relief, surgery is negated.

Non-Surgical Treatment For Sciatica

Sciatica is probably one of those things which is vaguely familiar but a person is not fully aware of it. The sciatic nerve is one which is part of the spine and then spreads out over the legs. When this nerve gets pinched, it leads to sciatica, or pain of the sciatic nerve, which is tremendous! But, then, what exactly is a person to do in order to reduce the pain caused on account of sciatica?


The best answer for this is not medication, though it does have its uses, but rather, exercises which help the situation improve and reduce the risk of the person going mad due to the pain! One of the simplest exercises that a person can start with is known quite commonly as the knee to shoulder exercise. All that one needs to do is to lie down on the back and then, raise one knee and pull it across the body, with hands wrapped around it, so that it touches the opposite shoulder. This position of the knee touching the shoulder is to be held for about half a minute. About 3 repetitions need to be done and the same with the other side.


While it is important in the effort to relieve pain due to sciatica, it is equally important not to push oneself beyond natural limits, especially initially as this can cause injury. After all, more pain is the last thing which a person with sciatica is likely to want!


Since it is important to keep in mind the fact that consistency is one of the key secrets to reducing the sciatic pain, it is worth keeping in mind the standing hamstring stretch. What this exercise can boast of is the fact that it is one which can be done nearly anywhere. Also, it is pretty simple, too!


To do the standing hamstring stretch, one leg needs to be kept on an elevated surface which is not as high as the level of the hip. It is important to keep in mind that the leg is to be kept straight. The torso needs to then be bent towards the elevated leg. This process should be done slowly and again, maintained for about half a minute.


The sitting pose is useful to remember, as well. Sitting on the floor, one leg s ankle should rest on the other s knee. Like the standing hamstring stretch, the upper torso is to be bent towards the extended leg. With all these exercises, relief is not far away!


Top Ways To Get Pain Relief From Sciatica

The pain in the lower extremity of the body caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve (the large nerve running down from the lower back of the body to each one of the legs) is referred to as Sciatica. Sciatica is caused by injury, inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve and causes pain or numbness spreading to leg, buttocks, and hips. In Ayurveda, Sciatica is known by the name of Gradhrasi. It is believed to be aggravated by the imbalance of Vata Dosha.


Causes -

Sciatica can be caused by strenuous physical activity such as heavy weight lifting, or to exposure to extreme cold. Pressure on buttocks due to sitting or lying continuously for long hours, injury due to a fractured pelvis or trauma to thighs also damages the sciatic nerve.


Symptoms -

Pain in the back and the lower extremity of the body is the primary symptom of Sciatica. Also, there is a burning or tingling sensation in the affected area. It can also become numb. One may even find it difficult to walk. In severe cases, it becomes impossible to bend the knee or move the foot.


Treatment Through Ayurveda -

Through Ayurveda, Sciatica can be treated internally and externally by balancing the energies involved in the doshas:

Internal methods of treatment: Yogaraja Guggulu is the herbal pill consisting of Guggulu resin, twenty-five types of herbs and ghee effectively treats all types of pain associated with the nervous system. Dashamula Arishta, an elixir having sixty-three herbs, jaggery, plums, honey, and water has anti-inflammatory properties which help in toning up the affected nerve.

External methods of treatment: Application of Sarshapadi medicinal oil (made up of camphor, mustard oil, and vegetable turpentine as a base) on the affected area helps in relieving pain.

Panchakarma therapies are very effective in the treatment of this condition. They aim to relieve inflammation and release nerve compressions and spasms for strengthening the entire spine and the surrounding tissue. Generally, treatment through the Panchkarma therapies takes four to five weeks depending upon the severity of the condition. Following are some of the processes involved in treatment through Panchakarma:

Kativasti and Elakizi, Naranga Kizhi, Navarakizhi are very important in the treatment of sciatica.

Sarwang Abhyang is the full body massage with medicated warm oils for lubricating and nurturing the body for the pacification of Vayu.

Swedana refers to steaming the body for detoxification.

Vasti refers to the administration of medicated oils and decoction through anal route for treating the vatic disorder that is Sciatica as per Ayurveda. It pacifies dryness and strengthens intestines and is one of the permanent cures for most of the vatic disorders.

Siravedha is the venous puncture or venesection.

Agnikarma is the Cauterisation or burning the affected part.

Raktamokshan is the process for Blood purification.

Take Away-

Sciatica refers to the pain in the lower body due to an irritated sciatic nerve, caused due to nerve compression or trauma or injury. Through Ayurveda, Sciatica can be treated through internal or external methods as well as through Panchakarma therapies.

Sciatica - Panchakarma Therapy To Heal It!

Sciatica pain can be mild to intense. Many with lumbar herniated disc and sciatica often wonder whether or not they require a surgery. Needless to say, it is never an easy decision. But the good news is that micro discectomy surgery has a higher rate of success when it comes to relieving sciatica pain. When compared to many other options, this one is relatively minimally invasive. It doesn t alter the structure of the spine permanently since it works by removing a small portion of the disc, which has herniated or extruded out of the disc.

When your sciatica pain stems from lumbar disc herniation, a small open surgery with the help of magnification is the prevalently opted surgical approach. On the other hand, a laminectomy is done when the bone or disc pinching the nerve root is required to be removed.

When should you consider undergoing surgery for sciatica?
Typically, neurosurgeons recommend considering surgery for sciatica in a host of situations which include the following:

Severe pain in the leg lingering for more than six weeks, which mainly affects one side of the leg or buttock
Intense pain in the low back and buttock, which continues through the course of the sciatic nerve andextends to the lower leg and even foot. This pain can be described as sharp and searing rather than a dull thud.
When pain has not alleviated even after non-surgical treatments that may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),oral steroids, injections, manual manipulations, and physical therapy
When the patient is not able to take part in the day to day activities due to intense lower back pain and the symptoms tend to become severe during movements like sneeze and cough.
When the symptoms are continuing to worsen, thereby indicating nerve damage, particularly when the progressive signs have their root in neurological issues
It is important to note here that surgical intervention may only be needed when the patient experiences progressive weakness in the lower portion of the body or sudden loss of bladder or bowel movement, which may stem from cauda equina syndrome. Two surgeries, namely lumbar laminectomy and microdiscectomy are performed on the basis of the cause as well as the duration of the sciatica pain.
In some cases, the symptoms are unique on the basis of the underlying causes of sciatica. For instance, trying to bend the body backward or walking a longer distance than normal may trigger unbearable symptoms. On the other hand, when the affected individual tries to bend the body forward, it can lead to symptoms stemming from the lumbar herniated disc.
In case sciatica occurs after an accident, injury or trauma, or if it happens in tandem with other symptoms, then it requires an immediate medical attention.
Thus, choosing to go for a surgery depends on several factors that only your doctor can assess and decide upon.

Sciatica - When Do You Have To Go For Surgery?

Sciatica nerve is the longest nerve of our body, which starts from the spinal cord, passes through the lower back and into the lower leg. Sciatica is a symptom of pain in the sciatic nerve which occurs if it is being compressed by any mass, irritated or overgrowth along its course.

Symptoms
Patients with sciatica experience severe pain along their back as well as may suffer from additional symptoms including numbness and weakness, a feeling of tingling and pins and needles on the foot or toes. In severe cases, some people may also suffer from loss of bladder and bowel control.

Causes
One of the most common reasons is the pinching of the nerve due to a slipped disc in the lower back. Other conditions which cause sciatica are trauma to the spine, spondylolisthesis, spinal tumors and lumbar vertebral canal stenosis.

Prevention
One of the easiest ways to prevent sciatica is by protecting your lower spine. You can follow these easy tips that can be really helpful in maintaining your health and remaining pain free.

    Exercising regularly: By exercising regularly, patients can strengthen their back and abdominal muscles and prevent damage to their vertebral column.
    Good posture: By maintaining a good posture while sitting and working in an ergonomically designed chair that properly supports your hips and back and does not compress the back of your thighs and knees while sitting is essential to maintain a healthy back.

Treatment
Homeopathy offers natural medicines that can cure and reduce sciatica pain. One of the biggest advantages that homoeopathy offers for treating sciatica is that it can treat the disease effectively, by rectifying the compression or irritation on the sciatic nerve.

Homeopathy practitioners use Colocynth for treatment caused in right sided sciatica pain. Homeopathic medicine Gnaphlium is used to treat numbness associated with the paint, while Rhus tox is usually helpful in treating all sciatica symptoms and is the most preferred medicine by homeopathic practitioners.

Homeopathy also offers additional benefits as it not only helps in rectifying sciatica pain it also help in strengthening a patient s constitution so that the disease is cured from its roots and there are no further recurrences. Homeopathic medicine is very fast and effective and is totally natural, free from any side effects. It is one of the most widely accepted forms of medicine which causes no side effects and can be taken easily by both men and women. 

7 Homeopathic Remedies for Sciatic Nerve Compression Pain

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