Sciatica

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by chachee52

As a Physical Therapist I can say that it is important to know what is causing the sciatica. "sciatica" is a description of the symptoms and doesn't say what is causing it. Also once you have a herniated disc, it's always there. there symptoms may decrease because the inflammation around the area will decrease and not irritate the nerve.
Just my 2 cents, but I feel it's important to understand where the problem is coming from and fix the problem.

Agree on the inflammation.
Once a chronic condition, while relief may come at times, so does the inflammation and pain.

Help me out.
I always thought when the term Sciatica is used, that is done by most common folks that don't understand it is actually an impinged nerve as result of a disc flared, bulged or more likely herniated, that is causing that radiating pain down the legs if lumbar related or down the arms if cervical.
Every symptom I am aware of regarding Sciatica is that of Radiculopathy. The burning, shooting pain that is practically crippling at times, or a mere nuisance similar to an injection at other times.

[chachee52]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Help me out.
I always thought when the term Sciatica is used, that is done by most common folks that don't understand it is actually an impinged nerve as result of a disc flared, bulged or more likely herniated, that is causing that radiating pain down the legs if lumbar related or down the arms if cervical.
Every symptom I am aware of regarding Sciatica is that of Radiculopathy. The burning, shooting pain that is practically crippling at times, or a mere nuisance similar to an injection at other times.

Sciatica literally means "irritation of the sciatic nerve". This can occur from a herniated disc (aka bulge), tight piriformis muscle, lumbar strain (of any of the muscles around the lumbar spine), or SI joint displacement, as well as a few other but these are the most common. It is true that Sciatica results in radicular pain, but it can be caused any where from the spinal cord (very uncommon but TONS of pain) to pinching of the nerve near the hip and the IT band.
Hope that helps a little.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Agree on the inflammation.
Once a chronic condition, while relief may come at times, so does the inflammation and pain.

Inflammation. That is my issue. Once the swelling goes down I will be good. The stetching done is for hip, legs, and butt. Lot's of walking, stretching and standing. Lots of icing. Ibuprufen.

As bad as it is, I am going to try riding tomorrow. If the posture is fine, I see no reason I couldn't go for at 15-20 miles. I'll know within a mile if I should turn around or not.

Booze is good for the pain, but not for reducing inflammation. It's a toss up.