When the body’s largest nerve, known as the Sciatic nerve, is aggravated, it will lead to back pain and discomfort. The Sciatic nerve originates from the spinal cord and runs down to the foot. To know what is Sciatica, you have to carry out various methods of getting relief from back pain to see which one works better. A herniated disc may be the cause of compressing the Sciatic nerve that will result in pain in the back and down the legs. One of the best ways to make the pain subside is to walk regularly. Applying heat can lessen the muscle spasms while application of ice causes numbness to alleviate the pain as described in this article.
 
 

What Is Sciatica?

Pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of an intervertebral disk.

Sciatica (sigh-AT-ik-uh) is trouble in the sciatic nerve, the body’s largest nerve, which is composed of roots springing from the spinal cord in the lower back. The roots twist together to form a single nerve that travels from the lower back through the buttock and hip down the back and side of the leg to the foot. Any pressure on the nerve in its long journey irritates the nerve and leads to discomfort and pain.

 

In many instances, the trouble lies with one of the back’s discs, the shock-absorbing, pancakelike disks placed between adjacent backbones. A bulging disk (also called a herniated disk or a ruptured disk) presses on the nerve and causes the painful sensations you feel. Other variations and locations of the site of pressure exist.

 

No magic potion relieves sciatica. Treatment often sounds banal. Don’t stay inactive for more than one day. Walking is something that most can do; start walking within a day of the onset of pain.

 

Tylenol often can diminish pain so the pain becomes tolerable. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve and Advil also are useful. Muscle relaxants, Flexeril and Soma are two examples, can alleviate pain when used in conjunction with an NSAID.

 

Cold compresses, applied to the area of most pain for 20 minutes, three times a day, bring relief. It numbs the nerve. If that doesn’t work, try heat. It decreases muscle spasms. You have to experiment to see which works better for you.

 

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There are many of us who already know the answer to the question, “What is Sciatica?” However, those who suffer from Sciatica struggle to find methods for effective pain relief. While taking light forms of exercise can be the best alternative, many people are still happy to consume drugs to reduce pain. 
 
Doctors and other health practitioners need to change their views on alternative forms of treatment rather than appease their patients by prescribing pain killers. For the less energetic, the application of heat and cold can provide relief from back pain; this is something that patients can try at home before they even see a doctor. But you should investigate all options to see which one works best for you.
 

Sciatica causes can often be difficult to understand. This sciatica video talks about the true causes of sciatica and tells you how to get fast pain relief from sciatic pain and sciatic nerve pain – It is from Jesse Cannone at The Healthy Back Institute.

 
To find out more details about sciatica and how to treat it effectively – order your copy of The Back pain cure book available on our website. It is written by Jesse Cannone who features in today’s video, and is available for FREE below for a limited time. Simply click the Get Instant access button below to order your free copy now.