Posts Tagged ‘Intense Pain’
Sciatica – Ayurveda
Sciatica is a general term for pain originating from the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a symptom of a disorder that causes mild to sharp and sometimes excruciating pain. Patients have described sciatic pain as mildly disturbing to burning, aching, deep, and similar to a sudden bolt of lightning. Sciatic nerve pain travels from the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the leg. Leg pain is the classic hallmark of sciatica. Low back pain may accompany sciatica, and some patients experience sciatic pain extending into the foot. Another characteristic of sciatica is it usually affects either the lower left or right side of the body.
Sciatic pain can make life miserable. Walking, standing, bending over, driving a car, working at a computer, catching up on household chores, sneezing or coughing, and many other activities of daily living can cause sudden and intense pain. Patients who suffer sciatica, especially of a more acute nature, find the symptoms disrupt many aspects of their life.
One reason the sciatic nerve causes so much pain is because it is the longest nerve in the body! The nerve starts at the back of the pelvis and runs downward through the hip area and buttocks into each leg. Near the knee, the sciatic nerve divides into two nerves—the tibial and peroneal nerves. The tibial nerve runs behind the knee and the peroneal nerve runs along the side of the calf and ankle. Through the tibial and peroneal nerves, the sciatic nerve innervates (‘stimulates’) the action of many muscles in the lower legs and enables feeling in the thighs, legs, and feet.
Besides pain, other symptoms may accompany sciatica. These symptoms include sensations such as tingling, pins and needles, burning, numbness or muscle weakness. Such symptoms may be felt in the buttock, thigh, behind the knee, calf, ankle, and sometimes the foot.
Causes of Sciatica
It’s important to understand what conditions cause sciatica because remember, sciatica is not a condition — it’s a medical term used to describe symptoms caused by other low back conditions.
Several low back conditions can cause sciatica, including:
- Bulging disc or herniated disc: This is the most common cause of sciatica. When a disc bulges, the gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) pushes against the outer wall of the disc (annulus fibrosus). A herniated disc means that the nucleus pulposus breaks through the annulus fibrosus. With both bulging and herniated discs, the disc material can press on nerve roots, causing sciatica. The consequences of a herniated disc are worse than those of a bulging disc. The disc material that leaks out contains an acidic, chemical irritant (hyaluronic acid) that causes nerve inflammation.
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD): Sciatica is a common result of the aging process that affects discs called degenerative disc disease. DDD is a change in the disc shape and function, and it can result in a bulging disc or a herniated disc and pain.
- Piriformis syndrome: The piriformis muscle, located in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and helps you rotate your hip. The sciatic nerve runs under the piriformis muscle, so muscle spasms can compress the sciatic nerve. It may be difficult to diagnose and treat as it is not easily identified by x-ray or MRI.
- Pregnancy: The extra weight and pressure on your spine caused by pregnancy can cause compression of the sciatic nerve. The symptoms will usually go away after childbirth.
- Spinal stenosis: Your nerves travel through passageways in your spine, and when this space narrows (stenosis), it can put pressure on the nerves in your low back.
- Spinal tumors and spinal infections: Although very rare, tumors and infections can compress the sciatic nerve.
- Spondylolisthesis: If a vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it, it’s called spondylolisthesis. This slip can pinch the nerve root and cause sciatica.
- Trauma: You can develop sciatica because of direct nerve compression from an outside force. For example, you could be injured in a car accident, resulting in a pinched nerve in your low back.
Treatment for sciatica or sciatic symptoms will often be different, depending upon the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Ayurveda is specialized in treating Sciatica with highest treatment success rate. It offers excellent Panchakarma therapies along with internal medicines for treating Sciatica.
Ayurveda described sciatica as Gridhrasi (Gridhra means Eagle), as the gait of the affected person resembles that of an eagle’s walk and the inflamed nerve appears like eagle’s beak.
Ayurveda categorized Sciatica as one of diseases caused by vitiation Vata (one of the principle dosha in the body, responsible for the movement and functionality of the body). Sometimes even kapha (dosha responsible for lubrication and bodily fluids) vitiation along with vata (vata kaphaj) also causes sciatica.
Treatment in Ayurveda is aimed at restoring the equilibrium through correction of the underlying functional in-equilibrium. Ayurvedic treatments for Sciatica concentrate on bringing back the aggravated vata or vata kapha to the state of equilibrium and thereby to the state of health.
Treatment comprises of three approaches, Elimination (Sodhanam) of the accumulated toxic products of digestion, metabolism and the disease process, Pacification (Samanam) and correction of the entities responsible for altered functioning and Rasayanam (Rejuvenation) of the bodily tissue to regain and maintain natural strength and vitality.
The strength of Ayurveda in the area of spine and joint treatments is globally appreciated. Since it addresses the root cause of the issue the results are fantastic. Therapies like Abyanga swedam, Pathrapotala swedam, Choornapinda swedam, Pizhichil, Shirodhara, Kadeevasthy, Navarakizhi, Vasti (the most important procedure in Ayurveda for curing Sciatica permanently) etc. are done as per the necessity and condition. These therapies are directed towards relieving the inflammatory changes and underlying causes of Sciatica, releasing the spasms and nerve compressions in the affected area, strengthening and nourishing entire spine & supporting tissues. Usually the treatment period is 3 – 5 weeks according to the severity of the disease.
Along with these therapies, Ayurveda has also described Sira vedana (Venesection) and Agni karma (Heat therapy) for treating Sciatica.
In four to six weeks, the majority of patients find their symptoms are relieved without surgery.
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dr m chandrashekhar
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What Are The Causes Of Back Pain?
The spinal column may be divided broadly into two main sections. The thoracic or upper spine helps protect the organs that it covers and facilitates the different postures that we adopt. The lumbar or the lower half of the spine is responsible for movement, as is the neck.
Everyone, some more than others, has experienced back pain at some point in his life. The Causes for back pain are many. Most people suffer from lower back pain and though upper back pain is not as common, it does occur.
The lower back is susceptible to injuries, as complaints from those who suffer a backache testify. The lumbar region is prone to discs being displaced. Discs degenerate with age and sometimes the spinal column narrows abnormally.
Backache in the upper portion of the back is the result of aberrations or damage to the thoracic backbone. Pain could be caused by irritation of the fibrous tissue between the muscles and due to the malfunctioning of joints. A deterioration of the discs in the upper back may instigate such a complaint as well. These problems often go unnoticed by those who suffer from pain in the upper region of the back, since there is restricted movement in this part of the spinal cord. For the same reason, the upper back is not as prone to injury as the lower portion. It is firmer from not being subjected to great mobility.
The main cause for upper back pain is defective posture. People who regularly work at computers are liable to develop upper backache. This kind of pain often exists in conjunction with pain in the neck and shoulder. Trauma after an accident where the upper vertebrae are injured can cause intense pain. This is not common. However if the case arises, rush the individual to a doctor. The earlier tests are run to assess the damage, the sooner can the treatment begin.
If a joint malfunctions or an irritation caused by the muscles brings pain, there are ways to combat the discomfort and ease the excruciating pain some may be racked with. Exercising everyday may lessen the pain. Physiotherapy sessions might cure the condition as well. An osteopath could alleviate the pain by chiropractic manipulation of the spine. Massages by reputed practitioners, especially deep massages to treat the condition, could bring some much-needed relief. Acupuncture, an alternative gaining in popularity could be your answer. A doctor may choose to inject local anesthesia into the points that trigger off the pain. Chemists may sell medicines that bring relief. The most common antidote would be drugs prescribed by your doctor.
If you have a persistent backache, don’t neglect it. It is better to get to the root of the cause. Once that has been established, you can follow it up with the right treatment, depending on the severity your case.
Stephen Madsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-are-the-Causes-of-back-pain-87319.html
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Back Pain Solutions Without Surgery
Acute Back Pain may begin suddenly and usually lasts around 3 months. Chronic Back pain sometimes lasts throughout life.
The most common back pain is low back pain (LBP). It is is often described as sudden, sharp, persistent, or dull pain felt below the waist. LBP is very common and affects the majority of people at some point during their life. Up to 70%–85% of all people have back pain at some time in their lives. LBP is the most common cause of a limitation of activity in people younger than 45 years of age. It is the second most frequent reason for visits to a physician, and the third most common indication for surgery. It is the fifth-ranking cause of hospital admissions and is one of the leading causes of disability.
Low back pain is most commonly caused by muscle strain associated with heavy physical work, lifting or forceful movement, bending or twisting, awkward positions, or standing in one position too long. Any of these movements can exacerbate a prior or existing back disorder. Other conditions that can cause low back pain include spinal stenosis, arthritis (osteoarthritis), spinal infection (osteomyelitis), spinal tumors (benign and malignant), spondylolisthesis, and vertebral fractures (e.g. burst fracture).
Low back pain is either acute or chronic. Acute LBP may begin suddenly with intense pain usually lasting fewer than three months. Chronic pain is persistent long-term pain, sometimes lasting throughout life. Even chronic pain may present episodes of acute pain. Other symptoms include localized pain in a specific area of the low back, general aching, and/or pain that radiates into the low back, general aching, and/or pain that radiates into the low back, buttocks and leg(s). Sometimes pain is accompanied by neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness. Neurological symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include bowel or bladder dysfunction, groin or leg weakness or numbness, severe symptoms that do not subside after a few days, or pain prohibiting everyday activities.
Pain felt in the low back is not always indicative of a spinal problem. A thorough physical and neurological assessment may reveal the cause of the low back pain. The physical examination begins with the patient’s current condition and medical history. Examination of a patient with low back pain involves examining the patient’s range of spinal motion while standing straight, bending forward, and to the side. Asymmetry, posture, and leg length is noted. Methodical palpation of the spine can reveal muscle spasm, possible bony displacement, and tender points. Abdominal palpation is performed to determine if the cause of low back pain is possibly organ related (e.g. pancreas). The neurological assessment evaluates weakness, absence of reflexes, tingling, burning, pain, diminished function, and other signs that may indicate nerve involvement.
If infection, malignancy, fracture, or other risk factors are suspected, routine lab tests may be ordered. These tests may include complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), and urinalysis. In some cases electrodiagnostic studies such as electromyography (EMG) or nerve condition velocity (NCV) are performed to confirm a diagnosis or localize the site of nerve injury. Plain radiographs (x-rays), CT Scan, and/or MRI studies are performed when fracture or neurological dysfunction is suspected. A MRI represents the gold standard in imaging today. A MRI renders high-resolution images of spinal tissues such as the spinal cord and intervertebral discs. X-rays are still the imaging methods of choice to study the bony elements in the low back. The results of the physical and neurological examinations combines with test results are carefully evaluated to confirm a diagnosis.
Most patients with low back pain are treated Without surgery. A conventional treatment plan may include bed rest for a day or two combines with medication to reduce inflammation and pain. Medications recommended by the physician are based on the patient’s medical condition, age, other drugs the patient currently takes, and safety. The first choice for pain relief is often nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset and stomach bleeding. Muscle relaxants may provide relief from muscle spasm but are actually benign sedatives, which often cause drowsiness. Narcotic pain relievers are prescribed for use during the acute phase and often for chronic pain management in appropriate patients.
Other modalities to treat low back pain might include physical therapy (PT), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) trial, ultrasound therapy, acupuncture and massage therapy. A managed PT program can help build muscle strength and flexibility, improve mobility, coordination, stability and balance, and promote relaxation. Patients who participate in a structured physical therapy program often progress to wellness more rapidly than those who do not. This includes low back maintenance through a home exercise program developed for the patient by the physical therapist.
Although the number of spinal surgeries done every year is on the rise, it is rarely required to treat low back pain. Surgery may be considered if the patient is experiencing bowel or bladder dysfunction, increased nerve impairment, progressive weakness, incapacitating pain, or spinal instability. The surgical procedure depends on the diagnosis or the cause of low back pain. To prevent low back pain, first and foremost, follow the treatment plan outlined by the physician. To enhance recovery from an episode of low back pain, or to help prevent future exacerbation, try to maintain good posture, be consistent in a home exercise program, and eat sensibly to maintain proper body weight.
About Walton Rehabilitation Health System:
Walton Rehabilitation Health Systems (WRHS) is a leading not-for-profit comprehensive, multi-specialty, dedicated provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our mission is to be an advocate for wellness by providing a continuum of services to treat the whole person. WRHS, whose reputation extends throughout the south, is a trusted partner with just the right expertise and treatments to help people with disabling injuries and illnesses return to work and to a fulfilling life. By pursuing its mission, WRHS has grown to include Walton Pain and Headache Centers, Walton Community Services, Walton Options for Independent Living, Walton Foundation for Independence, and Walton Technologies. We are located at: 1355 Independence Drive, Augusta, GA 30901-1037. For more information visit www.wrh.org or call 866-4-WALTON.
Hemant Yagnick, M.D.
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/back-pain-solutions-without-surgery-139659.html
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Getting Relief for Acute Back Pain
You know what it feels like when out of the blue your back suddenly seizes in debilitating pain and it’s all you can do to keep from falling to the floor. That’s what acute back pain is, a sudden sharp and severe intense pain that comes on unexpectedly and quickly. This is unlike chronic back pain which is more continuous or constant. Fortunately there are ways to find relief for acute back pain that will help the symptoms until you can get proper medical treatment.
For anyone who has suffered acute back pain you know how difficult it can make everyday tasks. This type of pain is normally caused by some sort of injury to the back but can also be caused by other chronic conditions that have been left untreated. It is the type of pain that is hard to ignore and the best advice anyone can give it to schedule an appointment with your doctor to get the right treatment.
There are several things you can do for back pain relief before you see your doctor or even while you are letting your back heal. The most important thing to do is to try and keep your spine in a neutral position at all times. This means you want to keep the natural curvature of the spine intact. You can do this by using a lumbar role when sitting and by making a conscious effort to avoid slouching. When sitting it is also a good idea to use an ergonomically designed chair that offers good support. Avoid “comfy” Furniture that is soft and offers little support as this can actually cause the pain to worsen.
If you need to drive or ride in a car there are a couple of things you can do to make the ride less painful. The lumbar role that you use around the house can also be used in the car to keep you spine in a neutral position. If you are driving consider moving the seat back to make you arms straighter when holding the steering wheel. This keeps the whole body in a more upright posture relieving the stress on your back.
Making the injury worse is the last thing you want to do if you are looking for back pain relief. Lifting anything heavy, or even a light load, should be avoided to keep from further aggravating the problem. Another thing you don’t want to do is sleep on a soft bed as it will not support the back and lengthen the healing process.
That is the key to any type of back pain relief from an injury or other condition, giving it a chance to heal. Of all the parts of the body the back can take an inordinate amount of time to heal. Trying to rush back into your old routine will only make the problem worse and take that much longer to get better.
Andrew Bicknell
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/getting-relief-for-acute-back-pain-734484.html
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Back Pain Help: Identify Early Symptoms To Total Relief
It is a common belief that you can do nothing much to cure back pain but you ought to live with it. You live by taking medications and relieving yourself. Well, this is too conservative a thought!
The fact is, you can successfully escape from the sufferings of back pain. All you need to do is to be a little more observant about your body and look in for any deviating symptoms that tell you that you are about to encounter back pain. The best part about back pain is that it is not a very big problem that needs all your concern. Just a little caution and attention from your side can prevent and even cure it effectively.
Every disease comes with several warnings to you. These are called its symptoms. The same is true with back pain. Before giving you pain and discomfort, it comes up with various signs that will ask you to take some action. An important thing to note here is that, there are only a few symptoms on the arrival of which you need to consult a good medical practitioner. Most of the symptoms are such, which you can deal yourself comfortably.
When you feel that your back pain has lasted longer than a normal time period, i.e., more than two-three weeks, you definitely need the advice of a good physician. Persistent pain is definitly a warning sign for an urgent medical attention. Besides this, if you feel intense pain in your lower back which extends up to your legs, this implicates a compression of a nerve. If not taken care of in time, the pain can aggravate and can act as a hurdle in your locomotion and performance of day-to-day activities.
A common disease associated with back pain is Spondylolsthesis. This occurs when one of the spinal vertebrates in your back slips from the normal position. This slipping leads to acute pain in the back that sometimes becomes unbearable.
Some of the common symptoms pertaining to back pain are numbness and weakness in the legs. While you are sitting for long in a particular posture, numbness can generally be felt. It can even be felt in the legs while you are walking or running for long. This is a condition that occurs in cases related to Spinal Stenosis. In this disorder, the spinal cord of a person narrows down which leads extra pressure on the legs. This generates pain in the back. Besides this, pain in the buttocks, presence of tight muscles in your lower limbs, sensation of tingling are also the symptoms of back pain.
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/back-pain-help-identify-early-symptoms-to-total-relief-132520.html
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