What's Sciatica?

Continued...

Your physician can figure out which disc is injured by considering your symptoms, examining you and administering tests such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging. In serious cases, the nerve supply to your bladder may be disrupted, resulting in difficulty urinating. If this happens, consult a doctor immediately.

Many people recover from a damaged disc simply by resting, applying ice to the sore area for one to five days and taking anti-inflammatory medication.

However, because rest causes your back muscles to atrophy quickly you should begin physical therapy as soon as possible. This will save your muscle tone and relieve the pain. If rest and physical therapy don't cure the pain, your physician may recommend injections to dissolve the disc or surgery to remove it.

Surgery on a damaged disc has a high success rate, but it could put you in the hospital for at least four to eight days, followed by a four-to eight-week convalescence.

It'll be another three to four months before you can return to sports or heavy lifting. Most physicians recommend conservative treatment for eight to 12 weeks before considering surgery.

Sciatica Spiral

Here is a good stretch to help with sciatica:

Lie flat on your back on the floor, arms at your sides. To stretch your right side, bend your right knee to waist level and put your right foot on the floor outside of your left knee. Place your left hand on the outside of right knee to hold leg in place, then gently pull right knee over your left leg toward the floor, keeping shoulders flat and abdominals contracted.

Hold the stretch for at least 10 to 15 seconds without bouncing. Do 15 repetitions on each side twice a day. (If it's too hard to keep your foot on the floor -because your muscles are too tight - gently pull knee over as far as possible without placing foot on floor.)

Are all cases of sciatica brought on by a damaged disc?

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Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
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