Sciatic neuralgia (sciatica) is a disease of the main nerve of the lower extremities that runs along the back of the thigh, reaches the popliteal fossa and moves further to the foot.
The cause of the disease is damage to the hip and back, fractures, injuries, prolapse of the intervertebral discs, overwork of the legs, prolonged sitting in one position. The disease can develop with hypothermia, colds, various internal diseases (gout, diabetes, joint rheumatism, tuberculosis, syphilis, alcoholism, brucellosis). In men, sciatic nerve neuralgia is more common than in women who are affected by the disease during pregnancy, after a difficult birth, due to gynecological diseases.
Sciatic Neuralgia: Symptoms
Pain sensations occur in the sacral and lumbar region, then go along the path of the nerve to the thigh, popliteal fossa and even the foot. Pain jerking, pulling, shooting, often boring and burning, does not give rest to a person, especially at night.
The pain syndrome intensifies during movement with the lower extremities, when taking an uncomfortable body position, with tilting the head, sneezing, coughing, when pressing on the pain points. Patients often take a characteristic posture when the body bends, as the person rests on a healthy leg while standing. Along with the pain, sensations of creeping goosebumps and numbness of the skin arise.
During the disease, atrophy of the affected leg develops with a decrease in muscle volume, which lose their tone and become flabby.
Sciatica is easy to identify by four points that respond painfully to pressure. The first is located below the knee, 4-5 cm, the second is at the same distance down from the first, the third is at the popliteal fossa on the thigh, and the fourth is slightly higher.
Sciatic Neuralgia: Treatment
Upon recovery, the four points begin to alternately lose their soreness. When pain ceases, only at certain points in the patient cannot be considered completely cured. And the fight against the disease should be continued, since at the first cold the disease will return. Treatment of sciatica sciatic nerve is a very difficult task, requiring persistence and a long time.
Therapy is mainly aimed at eliminating the primary factor. With small intervertebral hernias, they resort to medical treatment, the purpose of which is to improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation, swelling and painful muscle spasms. After elimination of acute symptoms, manual and physiotherapy, electrostimulation of muscles and acupuncture are prescribed. The benefits are traction and therapeutic exercises.
With large disc hernias, causing gross violations of the limbs, surgical intervention is required.
Tunnel neuromuscular syndromes are treated with conservative methods that combine manual therapy, blockades, wearing orthopedic insoles and special corsets, taking decongestants and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The inflammatory causes of sciatic neuralgia require infection control and antibiotic therapy.
The degree of restoration of the functioning of the sciatic nerve primarily depends on the prescription and severity of its damage. Avoid the consequences and complications will allow timely access to doctors.
Sciatic Neuralgia: Folk Remedies
Non-traditional methods will help relieve symptoms and improve the patient's condition. Massage in combination with acute ointments based on mustard oil and belladonna, the Viprosal preparation and further warming up of the sore spots with a special red lamp helps a lot. Dry cans are placed on the sacrum and thigh area, and hot baths are taken. It is recommended to visit the Russian bath 2 times a week with steaming with a birch broom of sore spots.