Sciatice

Regular exercise, proper posture, and good body mechanics can keep your body in good working order but more importantly they can help prevent sciatica. Sciatica “refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve from your back down your buttock and leg” (Mayoclinic.com, 5/11/09). However, it is a problem within itself because it is a symptom of another problem such as compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve or a herniated disk. Diagnostic tests can be done within the doctor’s office and results are usually available within minutes. Anti-inflammatorymay be prescribed along with rest.   However, complications may occur and other measures must be taken.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent sciatica, but also there are other risk factors that have to be considered such as age, career field, and diabetes. In adulthood, around thirty or forty, your disks in your back may deteriorate and become herniated causing sciatica. Prolonged sitting, like an office secretary can develop sciatica if proper exercise and good posture is not a regular part of their routine. Proper posture and seating can be all the difference. A good chair should support the curve in your spine and not press against the backs of your legs and be adjusted to keep your knees and hips even and you should be able to keep your feet flat on the floor. Diabeticsare at risk for sciatica because of increased risk of nerve damage in the way your body uses its blood sugar. Some women may experience pain from sciatica during pregnancy but this is only temporary due to the increased pressure put upon your back.   Men may develop sciatica from the habit of sitting on a wallet in their back pocket or a heavy tool belt that hangs on one hip because of the constant shift of pressure on the spine.
The Sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body running from your spinal cord to your buttocks area and down the back of each leg. ”Sciatica is generally caused by the compression of... [continues]

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