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What is Sciatica
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What
is Sciatica?
Sciatica is pain in the distribution of sciatic nerve and is felt in the
buttocks and down the back of the leg. It may extend into the calf and
foot in severe cases. The exact distribution of pain depends on which
nerve root is affected.
Most people who suffer from sciatica do so
because the discs in the backbone become weak, either through age or
excessive strain.
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What
are the causes?
This occurs mainly as a result of a slipped disc. Other causes could
include back strain, which may occur from lifting or pregnancy, or a
spinal tumour.
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What
are the symptoms?
Pain low in the middle of the back is often the first thing that is
noticed when the discs start to bulge or slip. This may happen suddenly
during a bending or stretching action, or may come on gradually from days
of housework. Sciatic pain radiates down the leg and is typically worse
for coughing, sneezing and movement. Sometimes the pain may be accompanied
by ‘pins and needles’ or numbness.
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Treatment
The first thing people with sciatica are told to do is rest for 2 – 4
weeks. If there is no improvement surgery may be considered in order to
remove the compression of the discs on the nerve root, although this is
not always successful in providing long-term relief. Other useful
treatments include osteopathy and Alexander technique.
©
The Internet Health Library 2000
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This page was last updated on 05 December 2006 17:16:11
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