The spine is not designed to carry weight in excess of our natural, lean body weight.  As we put on extra pounds, the spine becomes more compressed and distorted, resulting in back pain. 

Distortion and compression of the spine also affects the sciatic nerve.  Compression or “pinching” of the sciatic nerve can cause excruciating pain in the back, hips and legs.  As a matter of fact, this is one of the main reasons people who are overweight tend to have problems with their lower back, either due to the distortion of the spinal column or sciatica.

If you’ve been carrying around a lot of belly fat and having low back pain, there is only one thing you can do to end the pain . . . lose weight.  When you lose those extra pounds you’ve been carrying around, you will take the pressure off your spine and sciatic nerve.

Of course, losing weight is not something you can do overnight.  You must put forth some effort and be committed. However, the benefits of losing weight far outweigh the inconvenience you may experience from the effort.

Since you are already experiencing back pain, you must take things slowly.  Consulting with your physician should be at the top of your “To Do” list when it comes to designing a weight loss and exercise plan that will work for you.  Losing weight naturally, a little bit at a time, through diet and exercise is a very good way to go.  Start exercising slowly and do stretches before and after your exercises.  Focusing on strengthening your core body muscles will help decrease the low back pain you are experiencing by giving your back better support and alignment.

Within a couple of weeks, you should notice a difference in the way you feel if you’ve been consistent with your healthy eating plan and exercise routine.  Within a month or so, you should see a physical difference – less belly fat and less back pain.

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Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated disc or a slipped disc that is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.  However, muscle imbalance and misalignment of the spine can also cause sciatic nerve pain symptoms.

The point of compression, pressure or irritation along the sciatic nerve will determine the area of the body that will experience the pain and discomfort.  Lower back pain may be present, but most often the pain in the leg is worse.

Not all sciatica pain sufferers will experience pain in the same areas.  However, one or more of the following symptoms are usually described by sciatica sufferers:

•    Tingling or numbness in one or both legs
•    Weakness in one or both legs, which is painful when standing
•    Pain in the back of the leg that increases when sitting
•    An electrifying or radiating pain down the leg
•    Sharp or shooting pain in the buttock
•    Radiating pain that moves down the leg and/or into the foot
•    Pins and needles or a burning sensation in the top of the foot
•    Numbness in the shin or the foot
•    Loss of control of bowel or bladder function

Sciatic pain may worsen when you stand, sit, sneeze or cough.  In addition to the symptoms outlined above, you may also suffer from the inability to bend your knee or move your foot or toes, resulting in a reduced range of motion.

Once sciatica is diagnosed and the underlying condition is determined, your doctor or medical practitioner will advise you on which treatment would be most beneficial for your particular condition.  There are a variety of treatments available that may relieve or alleviate the pain.

Cold and Hot Packs
A cold pack wrapped in a clean towel and applied to the painful area for 15 or 20 minutes can reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort.  A hot pack or a heating pad can also bring relief to the painful area.  Alternating or switching between warm and cold packs tends to be very therapeutic.

Over-the-Counter Medication and Prescription Drugs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin, are usually prescribed to treat the pain, stiffness and inflammation.  Other over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, Advil and Aleve are also prescribed.

If the pain is severe or persists, your doctor may prescribe pain medication and muscle relaxants to relieve the discomfort associated with muscle spasms.

Bed Rest
Limited bed rest may help ease the pain but prolonged bed rest is not recommended because it may worsen the condition.  A mattress with good support is a definite must because a soft, lumpy mattress can cause lower back pain and exacerbate the condition.

Physical Therapy and Regular Exercise
Physical therapy may be prescribed by your doctor to ease the pain.  Exercises that stretch the muscles and reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve are ideal.  The use of decompression therapy has been quite successful in alleviating the pressure on the sciatic nerve, thus reducing the pain.

A program that consists of aerobic exercises – such as walking and swimming, movements to improve the flexibility of the muscles, and exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen and legs is an ideal treatment for sciatica.  Alternative exercises that may be helpful are yoga and Pilates.

Spinal Injections
To increase mobility and reduce swelling and inflammation of the sciatic nerve roots, an injection of a steroid-like anti-inflammatory medicine may be prescribed.  These corticosteroid injections mimic the effects of some of the hormones found in the body.  When prescribed in doses that exceed your body’s natural levels, corticosteroids control inflammation, thus reducing pressure and pain.

Surgery
If symptoms get progressively worse or you do not respond to conservative treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery.  Usually, when the pain doesn’t improve or increase, or you lose control of your bladder or bowels, surgery may be the most viable option.

Alternative Treatments and Therapies
Alternative treatments like chiropractic care, spinal manipulation, acupuncture, biofeedback, and massage may also provide pain relief, increase mobility, and reduce symptoms.

If your condition is treated properly and you adhere to the prescribed treatment plan, your sciatica should not last more than several weeks.  In some extreme cases, such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis, the pain can last for months or years.

Narrowing of the spinal canal is a condition called “spinal stenosis”. When the spinal cord and the nerves inside are compressed or squeezed, you get sciatica.

When you suffer from a herniated disc, the disc loses fluid and flexibility or is compressed. When the discs are compressed, the pressure on the sciatic nerve roots causes pain.

Spondylolisthesis is a condition of the spine whereby there is sliding or slippage (forward or backward) of a disc or vertebra relative to the next disc or vertebra. Where there is slippage, there is narrowing of the spinal canal or compression of the existing nerve roots which causes pain.

Piriformis syndrome involves the piriformis muscle, which is one of the small muscles found deep in the buttocks. It rotates the leg outwards and runs from the base of the spine and attaches to the femur. The sciatic nerve runs very close to this muscle and sometimes it even runs through the muscle. It the muscle becomes tight or contracts, it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve and causes pain.

Sciatic nerve pain or sciatica symptoms are:

• Tingling or numbness in one or both legs
• Weakness in one or both legs
• An electrifying or radiating pain down the leg
• Sharp or shooting pain in the buttock
• Radiating pain that moves down the leg and/or into the foot
• Reduced range of motion
• Loss of control of bowel or bladder function

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor or seek the advice of a medical professional.  Sciatica can lead to permanent nerve damage.

Decreasing the pain and increasing mobility can be achieved with proper treatment.  Treatment most often includes limited bed rest, over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, physical therapy, spinal injections, and surgery.

Alternative treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, Pilates, massage, and biofeedback may also provide pain relief and increase mobility.

Sciatica may be prevented by practicing good posture; lifting heavy objects properly, engaging in aerobic exercises like walking and swimming, maintaining a healthy body weight, strengthening and stretching the abs and back muscles, and sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees.

Getting the mind and body fit and well should be the goal for overcoming sciatica. Get rid of your back pain and sciatica by implementing some of these treatments and preventative measures.

Sciatica most commonly affects people between the age of 30 and 50. It can begin suddenly due to a traumatic event or it can develop slowly over time as a result of wear and tear of the lower back. Stress and tension on the muscles in the legs and buttocks can also cause it. In approximately 90 percent of sciatica cases, the cause is a herniated disc. However, sciatica can also be caused by other things, including spinal stenosis, fracture, infection, tumor, cyst, or degeneration of the sciatic nerve.

Having suffered from sciatica myself for several years because of a herniated disc, I know, first-hand, how debilitating it can be. I get an electrifying or a burning pain that radiates down my left leg. I also get shooting pains in my left buttock which usually occurs when I’m sitting on a low sofa or chair and attempting to get up or shift positions. Standing for more than 15 minutes is difficult for me and will bring on sciatic pain. Because the pain is usually so excruciating, I have to immediately sit down or squat to get some relief.

Chronic low back pain and sciatica is usually caused by a sudden traumatic event or manifests over time. There are some not-so-obvious factors that contribute to sciatica:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Weight gain during pregnancy
• Poor posture
• Prolonged sitting
• Occupation
• Poor sleeping position
• Poor quality mattress
• Smoking
• Stress

For most people, sciatica responds well to self-care measures that include:

• Stretching
• Exercise
• Cold and hot packs
• Over-the-counter medications
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Unit
• Bed rest
• Meditation
• Yoga

If chronic low back pain or sciatica symptoms continue to persist or worsen, home treatment may not be enough. Advice from a medical professional or doctor should be sought. Your doctor may recommend some conservative measures, such as:

• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy
• Spinal decompression therapy

When conservative measures do not alleviate the pain within several months, your doctor may recommend:

• Epidural steroid injections
• Surgery

Complementary and alternative medical treatments found outside conventional medicine that may alleviate the pain are:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic treatments
• Massage
• Hypnosis
• Botox injections

Although most people recover fully from sciatica, often without any specific treatment, sciatica can potentially cause permanent nerve damage. Other complications may occur, depending on what’s causing the nerve to be compressed. These complications may include:

• Numbness or loss of feeling in the affected leg
• Loss of movement in the affected leg
• Loss of bladder and bowel function

Chronic low back pain and sciatic nerve pain may be severe and persist for a prolonged period of time. Healthy back maintenance is extremely important. If you suffer from chronic low back pain or sciatica, feel free to share what has or hasn’t worked for you in the comments below so we can all improve our health.

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