The pain of Sciatica is a common one

Sciatica is when a damaged spinal disc compresses the sciatic nerve, which runs down the spinal column to the pelvis. This generally causes a stabbing jolt or burning sensation in the lower back and perhaps pain shooting through your buttocks and down your legs. 

How the sciatica occurred will determine what type of treatment will or will not be needed.

Video: Low back pain (SIRA)

What causes Sciatica?

There are many causes of Sciatica. They run from factors you can control to factors you can't and include the following:

• Weight gain.
• Smoking.
• Poor posture and/or poor sleeping position.
• Trauma. You try to lift something too heavy or you overstretch.
• Degenerative conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis or other bone diseases, viruses and infections.
• Aging. Bone strength and muscle elasticity and tone decrease and spinal discs lose flexibility as you grow old, resulting in a decrease of cushioning for the vertebrae.

It usually goes away by itself

Video: Conservative Management of Lower Back Pain

How can Sciatica be treated?

Most forms of Sciatica can be treated without surgery. Here are some noninvasive techniques that may help.

• Bed rest. If you feel better when lying down, OK; but don't overdo it. People who continue their activities without bed rest following the onset of low back pain seem to retain flexibility better than those who stay in bed for a prolonged period of time.
• Medications. Prescription drugs and/or over-the-counter pain medicines may provide relief.
• Cold and heat. Use of cold and hot compresses, heating pads, heat lamps and warm baths has not been proven to alleviate pain. In moderation, it can't hurt.
• Spinal manipulation. Therapy by doctors of chiropractic sometimes increases mobility.
• Acupuncture. Researchers continue to study this procedure, which uses tiny needles pushed through the skin, to determine its effectiveness.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). An electronic device sends pulses along nerve fibers to block pain alerts to the brain.
• Ultrasound. Sonic waves are sent through the skin and into injured muscles, which causes them to relax.

If the condition doesn't respond to noninvasive treatment, surgery may be a last resort. Be careful: Recovery can take months and full flexibility may never return.

Can sciatica be prevented?

The old proverb, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is true. Many types of sciatica can be prevented.  Here's how.

• Begin and maintain a program of low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming and riding a stationary bicycle.
• Try yoga to help stretch and strengthen muscles.
• Don't slouch when standing or sitting.
• When doing deskwork, make sure your work surface is at a comfortable height. Use a chair that offers good support. Get up and move around often.
• Wear low-heeled shoes.
• Sleep on your side.
• When lifting heavy objects, stand close to them and use your knees rather than your back.
• Keep your weight in check.
• Quit the cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the spine and can speed the degeneration of spinal discs