A PAIN IN THE BUTT: SCIATICA

A PAIN IN MY BUTT:SCIATICA

I have been in excrutiating pain for the past few weeks. It's something I've been dealing with for several years, it's called sciatica. It starts as a nagging pain in my lower back and starts to move to my butt and down my leg, (ouch!) If any of you have had this debilitating condition you know what i'm talking about.

The causes of sciatica can be anything from a herniated disk to a compressed nerve root. The bad thing is that it is soooo painful, the good news is that there are a lot of differeant ways to treat it. If you're not sure if that nagging pain in your lower back is from sciatica or not check out some of these symptoms.

Sciatica Symptoms

• Pain; starting in your lower back, and worsened by prolonged sitting or standing
• Pain; when trying to stand from a low sitting position
• Pain: worsened by coughing, sneezing or laughing
• Weakness; this may appear in your leg or foot
• Numbness
• Tingling or a pins and needles feeling
• Loss of bladder or bowel control; this is very rare and very serious. if you experience this go seek medical attntion immediatly!

Now you know whether or not you have sciatica, but what can you do to treat this nagging pain in the butt and lower back? Gratefully, there are actually a lot of easy treatments for this problem.

Sciatica Treatment

• Maintain your daily routine; believe it or not one of the worst things you can do is to stay on any prolonged period of bed rest. Go about your business, just stay away from any activity that may trigger your pain
• Coldpacks; this is good for the first 48 hours. Apply to the affected area for 15-20 minutes four times a day
• hotpacks; after 48 hours, apply heat to the area. If pain continues alternate warm and cold
• Stretching; avoid jerking, bouncing or twisting

If the pain is severe, you may want to look into getting some over the counter medication. If you go this route, make sure you get a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory like aspirin or ibuprofen. This is the type of pain medication that is both a pain reliever and anti-inflammatroy. there are also some alternative therapies you can try.

Alternative and complimentary treatments can work alone or hand in hand with some ot the other treatments. Alternative teatments include; Accupunture, Accupressure and Chiropratice treatments.

One of the best things you can do to avoid the nagging pain in the butt is excercise. Yes ladies, yet another reason we should be getting our tushes off the couch.

Don't let lower back pain knock you out. Kick that nagging pain on its ass!