Sciatic Nerve Pain

Archive for January, 2010

Accurate Diagnosis of your condition – The first thing is to get an accurate diagnosis of why you are in pain. Often times sciatica is caused by muscle tension or imbalances which can directly affect the discs and vertebrae in your back which results in a irritated sciatic nerve. Other ’structural’ problems with your spine can also cause this irritation and that is why an accurate diagnosis is essential for finding the best treatment.

Heat and Cold Packs – many people report gaining relief through the use of heat and cold packs particularly where the problem lies with increased muscle tension. Alternating between both hot and cold packs on the affected area has also been reported as a good pain reliever. The hot pack promotes blood flow and can release tensed up muscles and the cold pack helps in reducing the amount of inflammation so you are getting the best of both worlds when alternating between the two.

Physiotherapy – this is something that I have not had any success with in dealing with my sciatica, however combined with the right exercises and assuming that your condition is suitable to be treated this way there is no reason not to give it a go. Many doctors see physiotherapy as the first step to easing the problem and once again the blood flow in and around the muscles and loosening of joints may be beneficial to you.

Anti Inflammatory/Pain Relieving Medication – No doubt one of the most important steps to easing your sciatic pain is to reduce any inflammation of the offending area and of course to limit your pain so you can get on with life. Unfortunately this is where the use of NSAID’s or non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs is the road most doctors take. Sure, they may ease your pain and reduce inflammation but if you had any idea of the unwanted effects these drugs can have on you I’m sure you would think twice.

Many back pain and sciatica sufferers are forced to use these drugs long term, previously myself included, as most back complaints are not easily or quickly resolved. This long term us of NSAID’s can have lasting effects on your health. Problems with kidneys, the liver, the intestines and the stomach lining itself are not uncommon and of course add to this the noticeable side effects like cramping, headaches and drowsiness just to mention a few.

So how do we protect ourselves against these problems while still getting the pain relief and reduced inflammation that we need? The answer is natural medicines that do the same job without jeopardizing our future health. There are many great all natural products on the market these days and for peace of mind there really is no other choice.

Craig Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/sciatic-discomfort-quick-tips-to-help-keep-your-sanity-635100.html

Heel and neuroma pain can be debilitating. Patients often see multiple doctors and still cannot get relief. Until recently, the treatment options really had not changed for many years leaving patients with few options when conservative and even surgical care fail. Dr. Marc Katz notes that some doctors claim that they are using unique injections; however, the reality is that these injections have been used for years with minor modifications. They may include substances such as cortisone, alcohol, anesthetic or B-12, all common medications used in the typical podiatry practice.

Katz, who practices in Tampa FL, notes that we have entered the new era of foot pain relief. The medical trends for treatment are moving more towards minimally-invasive techniques that provide long-term relief, quick return to activity, and fast recovery without a risky procedure. Introducing the cryosurgery procedure, the best new advanced approach for foot & ankle pain relief. Cryosurgery is a minimally-invasive office technique that allows rapid return to work and high success rates in relieving heel and neuroma pain. Long-term relief is achieved by freezing the nerve to around -70 degrees Fahrenheit. The procedure is performed using a local anesthetic, avoiding more risky types of anesthesia. Relief is usually obtained in one treatment; although, in some cases, a second treatment is required to get optimal relief.

Dr. Katz is known nationally for developing advanced techniques using color power ultrasound guidance to get the best results from the cryosurgery procedure. He has coined the term “CryoMax” for his high-tech, ultrasound-guided technique. This differs significantly from the standard cryosurgery techniques that either do not use ultrasound or use black and white ultrasound which is ineffective in locating the nerve and blood vessel bundle required for accurate treatment. Dr. Katz has abandoned these less effective techniques due to lower success rates and less relief. With his new approach, Dr. Katz’s success-rates have skyrocketed!

There are many successful patient cases that demonstrate how cryosurgery has led to life-changing pain relief.

Judy Billings of Apollo Beach had severe foot pain for the last two years. “The pain was so bad, it felt like I was being electrically shocked anytime I put pressure on my foot by standing or walking. I was limping to walk, and I used every kind of padding and special shoes available and nothing worked. I literally tried everything.”
At the age of 66, Billings also had osteoporosis in her hips and was told by doctors that she should be walking for 30 minutes per day. Her foot pain was so excruciating, she wasn’t able to fulfill doctor’s orders to maintain her health.

Finally, Billings had cryosurgery procedure done in both of her feet by Dr. Marc Katz of Advanced Podiatry in Tampa. “Now I don’t have any pain. Cryosurgery just froze the nerve, and now the pain is completely gone,” explained Billings.

Tamara Rampino of Largo shares a similar story. “I had incredible foot pain for probably two years.” explained Rampino. “My work makes me stand on my feet for 10 to 12 hours per day and I was in so much pain. I am self-employed, and a single mother with no health insurance, so I couldn’t take a lot of time off to get treatment for my foot. Through ‘cryo’, I was able to recover in 3 days.”

“I would get up in the morning, hobble around, and ice my foot.” continues Rampino. “I never could put all my weight on my right foot. I was cranky and gained 30 pounds from not being able to be active. I used to play tennis and golf and because of foot pain could no longer do those activities. I would literally be in tears every day after work. I would cry in my car on the way home because my foot would be burning and hurting so bad.”

Now Rampino walks every morning for an hour. She also cheerfully explains her ’shoe fetish’ in which she was never able to wear regular shoes or heels due to her foot pain. Now she owns about 60 pairs of shoes and heels.

These are just two of the hundreds of success stories that Dr. Katz and cryosurgery have created for his patients.

Cryosurgery is typically used when conservative treatments have failed but some patients opt to use the procedure as a treatment early in the process. They just want relief as soon as possible because their lifestyle suffers from the pain. Dr. Katz notes that more major cutting procedures of the heel involve cutting the strongest support structure of the foot, the plantar fascia. He believes that this leads to foot and ankle instability and ultimately a weakened arch. Patients often do not get relief and may even get worse or have complications. When it comes to neuroma pain, the feared stump neuroma may be the result of the typical surgery to remove the nerve. There is also a fairly high failure rate with the nerve removal.

Cryosurgery avoids many of the common problems associated with treatment for heel and neuroma pain. While the procedure does not give relief all of the time, it is certainly far superior to the current options that are typically used by other physicians, adds Katz. Pain relief has been exceptional with CryoMax and the procedure can be repeated if required. Most patients state that they would gladly repeat the procedure if necessary.

Marc Katz
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/cryomax-advanced-cryosurgery-relief-for-heel-and-neuroma-pain-right-here-in-tampa-bay-723610.html

Low back pain is a usual symptom amoung the modern civilised people.It affects mainly the middle aged and young adults of both sexes.People who work on the chair with out exercise and those who carry heavy loads regularly are prone to get this complaint.We can hardly find a person who has not suffered from back pain atleast once in life.The causes of low backpain ranges from simple reasons like muscular strain to cancer of spine and hence backache should not be ignored.The pain is felt in lumbar and sacral region and may radiate to nearby sites.

The following are some causes for backache.

1) Backache due to diseases in the back.

2) Backache due to gynaecological problems.

3) Backache due to problems in other parts of the body.

1) Backache due to diseases in the back:–

a) Injuries :-

1) Compression fracture of the vertebral column.
2) Rupture of intervertebral discs.
3) Injuries to ligaments and muscles of back.
4) Lumbosacral strain.
5) Intervertebral joint injuries.
6) Fracture of processes of vertebra.

b) Functional backache due to imbalance:-

1) During pregnancy.
2) Pot belly.
3) Diseases of the hip joint.
4) Curvature in the spine due to congenital defect.
5) Short leg in one side.

c) Backache due to inflammatory conditions:-

1) Infection of the bone due to bacteria.
2) Tuberculosis of the spine.
3) Arthritis.
4) Brucellosis.
5) Lumbago or fibrositis.
6) Inflamation of the muscles.
7) Anchylosing spondylitis.

d) Backache due to degenerative diseases in the back.

1) Osteoarthritis.
2) Osteoporosis in old people.
3) Degenaration of the intervertebral disc.

e) Tumour in the spine:–

1) Primory tumour of the bones in the spine.
2) Metastatic tumours from other sites like prostate,lungs,kidneys,intestine ect.

2) Backache due to gynaecological problems:-

a) After childbirth.
b) After gynaecological operations.
c) Prolapse of the uterus.
d) Pelvic inflammatory diseases.
e) Cancerous lesions of the pelvic organs.
f) Endometriosis.

3) Backache due to problems in other parts of the body.

a) Renal stones.
b) Ureteric stone.
c) Cancer of prostate.
d) Pancreatitis.
e) Biliary stones.
f) Peptic ulcer.
g) Inflammations of pelvic organs.
h) Occlusion of aorta and illiac arteries.

Investigation of a case of backache:-

1) Complete blood count.

2) Routine urine examination.

3) Ultrasonography of the abdomen and pelvis.

4) X-ray of the lumbar and sacral region.

5) MRI of the spine.

5) CT scan of abdomen and pelvic region.

6) Examination of rectum,prostate,genito urinary organs.

Treatment of back ache:-

1) Removing the cause for backache.

2) Symptomatic treatement.

2) Back exercises.

3) Traction.

3) Yoga.

5) Surgery.

7) Homoeopathy.

John Ugoshowa
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/causes-of-low-back-pain-76019.html

If the pain in your back worsens, or you can’t find relief through moderate exercise and over the counter medications, it’s time to see a doctor to find the cause of lower back pain. There can be many reasons why you’re having back pain and they can extend beyond simple muscle sprains. Finding the cause can be tricky though, because many times the problem won’t show up on an x-ray or MRI. For example, a spine slightly out of alignment with your body may not be very noticeable, yet it causes d8aily pain.

The doctor will do many tests to begin eliminating each possible cause of lower back pain. For example, he or she will manipulate the leg through various moves to determine if the pain increases or results in pain elsewhere in the body. Some tests you will be familiar with such as the reflex test. Other tests may be unfamiliar but they are very simple. If the doctor determines the basic moves indicate further testing is necessary to find the cause of lower back pain, the next steps will be taken.

Some of the tests the doctor will perform entail the use of very high tech medical equipment. Each test can provide a higher level of detail of your spine and surrounding muscle and ligaments. Most people have had an x-ray in their life, but an x-ray will only show bones. If the cause of lower back pain is muscle, tendon, ligament or nerve damage, the x-ray is pretty much a useless test.

The MRI, on the other hand, gives a lot more information about your back. It can show the doctor the condition of every part of the structure of your back including the nerves and discs. There are so many possible causes of lower back pain, that when pain won’t subside, the MRI is a great tool for diagnostic testing. Other testing methods include a CAT scan or a discogram. A discogram involves injecting dye into the spinal discs to pinpoint the source of pain.

So what can be the cause of lower back pain? There are numerous conditions that can result in ongoing back pain.

* Herniated disc
* Pinched nerve
* Strained muscle
* Spinal tumor
* Degenerative disease
* Infection
* Arthritis
* Osteoporosis
* Fractures

With all these potential causes of back pain, it’s no wonder it can take several months and lots of testing to determine the problem. The lower back is particularly susceptible to pain, because it has a lot of pressure put on it while sitting. People who sit at desks all day frequently end up with lower back pain. In that case, strengthening the lower back muscles can work wonders. There are even special chairs made that take the strain and pressure off the lower back while sitting.

The good news is that most of the time the cause of lower back pain is quite simple, and can be corrected with moderate exercise.

Ben Thompson
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/oh-what-a-pain-this-is-cause-of-lower-back-pain-330018.html

Thousands and thousands of people annually seek medical care for back pain. For some, the pain is gone within 6 weeks. For others, it becomes chronic back pain.

Chronic back pain affects individuals in various ways. Most make repeated visits to physicians, seeking relief. They want to know what causes their chronic back pain. They want new tests. They want to try whatever treatment may be available.

Chronic back pain sufferers may report difficulty in performing normal daily activities. They may believe the pain is increasing. They may simply want someone to sympathize, and agree that it is not “all in your head” at all.

Although back pain is the main reason people visit orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, and the second main reason they visit primary care physicians, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of those visitors will receive no cure. They will go from low back pain to chronic back pain.

Patients are frustrated because physicians do not cure back pain. Physicians are frustrated because they cannot cure low back pain. Many think they can do little to prevent occasional severe back pain from becoming chronic back pain.

If nothing is done, however, chronic back pain limitations can seriously impinge on daily activity.

Possible Limitations

A look at possible chronic back pain limitations reveals a long list. There are limitations placed by a physician, but there are many more limitations that patients place on themselves. They may include physical limitations, emotional limitations, or mental limitations. Of the many chronic back pain limitations we can discuss only 7 here.

1. Depression: One of the most common limitations of chronic back pain, depression affects everyone involved in the daily life of the sufferer. The type of depression experienced by sufferers of chronic back pain is not simply a matter of feeling sad or “down at the heels” for a day or so. “Major depression” and “clinical depression” are the terms used for this kind of depression.

When chronic back pain limitations include a major depression, the person feels emotionally miserable everyday for at least two weeks. He or she also may have unexplained crying spells; major appetite changes; fatigue, sleep problems; agitation; and thoughts of death or suicide. There may be little interest in activities that were normally enjoyable.

2. Social Activity: A second of the chronic back pain limitations reported is that of social activity. People suffering chronic back pain become reluctant to attend parties and other social functions. They may curtail recreational activities or outings with the family.

3. Work Time: Those who suffer chronic back pain are also more likely to take off more work time. Statistics show that back pain causes the loss of more than 83 million days of work time each year due to back pain.

4. Job Loss: Since it often means lost work time, another of chronic back pain limitations is job loss. Too many lost days, or poor performance due to chronic back pain, can result in replacement.

5. Work Ability: Chronic back pain is a leading cause of work limitations. Back pain limits workers’ ability to lift, carry, and perform other duties that are required. It places restrictions on workers, and narrows the job field for many people.

6. Low Pay: Chronic back pain limitations include financial limits for some. Those who are limited in work by chronic back pain earn, on average, only two-thirds the amount of those without back pain.

7. Housework: One of the largest limitations of chronic back pain appears to hit normal activities associated with housework, gardening, and lawn work. Patients with back pain that lasted more than 60 days often report they are no longer able to do any gardening, lawn work, or normal cleaning activities such as vacuuming, mopping floors, etc.

Clinically Proven Limitations

For the patient, it is difficult to believe that chronic back pain limitations are often unnecessary. They continue to believe that the pain has a cause that can be readily diagnosed, despite their physician’s repeated assurances to the contrary. They believe the physician can find a medical sure for their back pain if pressed often enough and hard enough. As for treatment, patients often believe that until the cure is found, the best treatment is bed rest and limited activity.

The result of such beliefs is that back pain that could initially be resolved with exercise becomes chronic back pain. Chronic back pain that might still be resolved if the patient were to exercise regularly gradually develops and produces chronic back pain limitations.

TIP: Back pain is very, very common in our society. Rather than let it lead to complications and limitations, you may want to ask your physician for gentle exercises that may resolve your back pain before it becomes chronic.

Anna Hart
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/chronic-back-pain-limitations-125257.html