Sciatica treatment varies from patient to patient due to the differing causes of the pain that characterizes this medical condition. If you are interested in finding relief from sciatic pain through methods other than medicine, read this article to find out what you can do. When the sciatic nerve is inflamed due to irritation or compression of the nerve roots, pain in varying degrees radiates from the lower back (where the nerve roots branch out from the spinal column) down the back, the thigh and on to the leg, even your foot and toes. You may have noticed I use the singular; this is because the pain is only felt on one side of the body.

Alternative sciatica treatment methods:

Acupuncture: is the insertion of needles, the size of a hair’s breadth into the meridian that corresponds to the area where the pain is located, and the needles are left in place for varying amounts of time. Acupuncture is all about the release of Chi, the body’s vital energy force and this is done by inserting needles that you do not feel into the meridians that lie under the skin; it is believed that each meridian correlates to a specific part of the body.

Acupressure: maybe called a close relative of acupuncture but the procedure does not require the use of needles to unblock Chi. Skilled practitioners of this method uses their thumbs, fingers and even elbows to apply pressure to specific parts of the body, this consistent pressure serves to stimulate the acupressure points which are the same as the acupuncture points.

Massage therapy: there are forms of therapy that work on relaxing and releasing pressure from the pain areas and if done correctly, will help increase blood circulation, muscle relation and the release of endorphins which are your body’s natural pain relievers.

Manual adjustments: trained health professionals like chiropractors and physical therapists focus on realigning the spinal column. Irritation and inflammation of the nerve roots and pain can be relieved by this method. However for the very severe cases like disc herniation, this method will not give you the expected results.

You need to consult your doctor before adopting any of the sciatica treatment methods.

Back pain is one of the most common conditions reported by patients. Two out of every three people suffer from back pain, the most common type being a disc problem. This occurs where the spine and its vertebrae become twisted or bent forward allowing the back of the joint to open. This lets a disc bulge backwards, causing pressure on the nerve behind it as it emerges from the spinal cord. It is this that causes inflammation and pain.

The most common way for patients to get this type of injury is from the incorrect lifting of heavy loads. However, just bending awkwardly or prolonged stooping can cause problems for the spine. This highlights the need to follow safe gardening and lifting practices.

Sciatica, (Latin for ‘pain down the back of the leg’), is usually caused by trapping the sciatic nerve in the lower back. It is a relatively common form of back pain. The pain from sciatica can be severe and debilitating but this is not always the case and luckily physiotherapists can do something about it.

By understanding how techniques can affect and change the mechanics of the spine, back pain can be alleviated. Therapists can treat it with a variety of techniques, one of which is the Mackenzie Exercise Regime. The Regime helps to educate patients how to react when they first become aware that their back is in difficulties. Simple stretching exercises and special ‘push ups’ help adjust the mechanics of the back and help move the discs back into the correct position.

Another technique used by physiotherapists is connective tissue reflex manipulation (CTM). It works because the movement of the tissues by the therapist creates a short, sharp, nervous stretch reflex that creates an impulse that spreads throughout the connective tissue. The patient’s brain will translate the impulse as if it were a scratch to the skin. The reflex itself is a small impulse that passes through the fluid in the connective tissue and releases tension. This reduction in tension around the blood vessel walls allows more blood to flow into the damaged area, thus reducing inflammation. Softening the connective tissue allows more movement to occur without irritation and pain to the patient.

If you suffer from back pain, it is a good idea to visit your local physio to see what they can do for you.

If you’ve ever suffered from lower back pain, you know that it can be a real pain in the butt.

If you’ve ever suffered from really bad lower back pain, like I have, you know it can be debilitating. Even the most mundane daily tasks like walking or standing from a chair can be a challenge.

Many times, lower back pain and injury occurs due to a variety of factors, but some of the major culprits are muscle weaknesses and muscle imbalances.

Kettlebells can help fix those imbalances and weaknesses. Before we look at how kettlebells can help, lets look at some of the common weaknesses and imbalances.

1. Weak Abdominals. Your abs, when working properly help keep your pelvis from moving too much or moving into the wrong positions when moving, be it regular moving or exercising.

2. Tight Hip Flexors. Your hip flexors allow you to walk, run, climb, stand, sit, lunge, twist, and turn. When these muscles get tight, they pull the pelvis out of its natural alignment. If your abs are weak, this becomes a major problem. Also, it is known that tight hip flexors prevent the abdominals from working correctly.

3. Weak Butt. Yes, the ol’ derriere is designed to help you move forward and provide a counterbalance when bending. When this muscle is weak in combination with the others, it can spell disaster for your lower back.

4. Weak Hamstrings. These are the muscles that run down the back of your legs. They also are designed, along with the butt, to move you forward and provide a counterbalance to your upper body when bending.

There are of course other muscles that can contribute to back pain, but these are some of the main culprits.

Basic kettlebell exercises such as the Deadlift and the Swing strengthen your weak areas - your butt, abdominals, and hamstrings. These kettlebell exercises aid in correcting these muscular imbalances protecting your lower back over the course of time.

Honestly, most of the kettlebell exercises focus on the hips and core, and when performed correctly, literally have a magical effect on the body. Not only do tight hips from years of sitting loosen up and become stronger and more resilient, but it’s not uncommon for old shoulder injuries to disappear as overly-mobile shoulders become more stable.

Of course, before using kettlebells or any exercise program, ESPECIALLY with a history of lower back pain or lower back injury, you should do two things:

1. Consult your physician in charge of your pain and/or injury.

2. Find a highly skilled, certified kettlebell instructor to show you how to perform each exercise in the safest, most effective manner possible based on your background. (The best are the RKC - Russian Kettlebell Challenge Instructors - they are the original kettlebell instructor certification. Find one near you here.)

And finally, once you have met the above two criteria, take your time with your kettlebell training. Keep the mindset of “training” - like an athlete trains for an event, instead of “working out.” You want to build good movement patterns to get you out of pain - this takes training.