  | Treating Sciatica PainSciatica, also called sciatic neuritis, is used to describe symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness and weakness that can radiate from the lower back all the way down to the foot. These symptoms result from the compression or irritation of one of 5 nerve roots in the spine (sacral nerves S1, S2, or S3 or lumbar nerves L4 or L5) that connect and form the 2 sciatic nerves, or pinching or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself. The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body, and originates in the lumbar spine. It then runs down through the buttock area and continues along the back of the leg and branches off to the tibial and common fibular (peroneal) nerves down to the foot. In most cases, when a sciatic nerve is compressed only one side is affected with pain, although the pain may alternate from one side to the other. Occasionally, the pain is felt on both sides of the lower back and legs. Although sciatica pain can be debilitating, most people who suffer from sciatica can find pain relief with non-surgical treatments such as cold compression, ultrasound therapy and Deep Tissue Therapy. It is a condition that usually gets better with time and rest. Treating the cause of the nerve compression is important to prevent sciatica pain from returning. Causes of SciaticaSciatica symptoms are caused by the sciatica nerve being compressed. This compression can occur for a number of reasons in various locations and treatment will depend on the cause. Common reasons for compression of the sciatic nerve are:
 Symptoms of Sciatica
TreatmentCompression of the sciatic nerve can occur in various locations and the exact cause and location is not always known. Treating the symptoms can be helpful to manage the pain but treating the source of the compression will result in faster sciatica relief. We recommend that you see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and to determine the cause of the compression on the sciatic nerve. T•Shellz Wrap® - Deep Tissue TherapyDTR Therapy (via a T•Shellz Wrap®), should be used over your lumbar region and lower back to improve blood flow and nourish soft tissue. Your body needs a fresh supply of blood to improve the health of your tissue and treat the muscle strain or irritation to relieve the compression of your sciatic nerve.  Unfortunately, when you are suffering from sciatica it can be painful to even walk or lift your leg. When you limit movement in your hip the blood flow is reduced, starving your tissue of the necessary oxygen and nutrients. The trick is to find a way to increase blood flow without causing pain and/or further inflaming the muscle or discs. This is where (via a T•Shellz Wrap®), becomes a powerful tool. Deep Tissue Therapy compliments your body's natural healing process By promoting blood flow while you give your sciatic nerve the rest it needs. The Back/Hip T•Shellz Wrap® is designed to safely generate the same energy that is part of the sun's spectrum of light, the same energy that is necessary to all living things for optimum health. The energy emitted from the Energy Pad stimulates blood flow to your lower back and hip, more than your body would ever be able to generate on it's own, giving your body the boost it needs to keep your spine and lower back muscles as healthy as possible and reduce the risk of irritation, inflammation and herniation. The soothing energy reaches deep into your body to whisk away the toxins and dead cells, and rejuvenate your muscle tissues for improved elasticity. Cold Therapy for Inflammation Induced SciaticaIf you are experiencing referred pain above the knee or in your lower leg caused by the compression of your sciatic nerve, a cold compress can be quite helpful in cases where nerve pressure is caused by inflammation. The cooling sensation along with the compression can help to numb the nerves to help alleviate the pain. However, it is important to treat it at the point where pressure is being put on the nerve, which is not necessarily the same place as where the pain is noticed. The term for an injury indicating pain elsewhere in the body is termed as "referred pain", and is somewhat common when dealing with nerve-based pain. A Note On OverCompensationSince you are reading this, you probably know that sciatica will alter you body mechanics. Adjustments to your gait from sciatica can wreak havoc on your knees, hips and lower back due to overcompensation. Recovery takes a longer time for such chronic (long term) injuries, but proper healing is essential to regain strength and get you back to the activities you enjoy. The longer your injury endures, the greater the risk of running into serious overcompensation injuries and a permanent change in gait. To Stop Re-Injury & Reduce the Risk of a More Serious Overcompensation Injury, You Need to Heal Quickly & Completely!Anyone in need of rapid recovery and complete healing must consider a comprehensive treatment plan that includes an effective means to minimize swelling and inflammation yet also stimulate healing and tissue elasticity. We have found no better set of tools that can be used at home than this:
What You Definitely Need to Successfully Treat |
Hip Injury Facts: Over 90% of hip fractures are caused by falling, most frequently on the side of the hip. Less than 50% of hip fracture patients return to their former level of activity. Proper treatment is important to maintain strength and range of motion. Hip alignment affects the pressure put on the knees. A hip disorder can aggravate knee pain and vice versa. 1 in 7 Americans, over the age of 60, reports significant hip pain. In most cases, arthritis pain will not benefit from a hip arthroscopy. 70% of non-fracture hip replacements in 2003-2004 were to treat osteoarthritis.        |
