Sciatica

Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in the body and are about the size of your little finger. They come out of the spinal column low in the back and then go behind the hip joint, down the buttock, and down the back of the leg to the foot. Sciatica is low back pain combined with a pain through the buttock and down one leg. The pain usually goes past the knee and may go farther to the foot. Sometimes, weakness in the leg muscles occurs.

Sciatica is different from other forms of low back pain because there are 2 sciatic nerves, and the pain is usually on 1 side.

The pain is usually a shooting pain. It can also burn or tingle much like the feeling when your leg "goes to sleep." The pain can range from slightly annoying to totally unbearable. Some people have pain in one part of the leg and numbness in another part of the same leg.

It is recommended that you continue with your usual activities and avoid what may have triggered the pain in the first place. Prolonged bed rest isn't a good idea as in the long run; inactivity will make your symptoms worse. The pain caused by Sciatica can often restrict your movement. This prevents you from exercising your spine and associated muscles, which in turn exacerbates the problem. BAXOLVE™ provides you with an effective means of reducing the pain you are experiencing and halting this vicious circle. You can also try:

Cold packs: Wrap an ice pack or a package of frozen peas in a clean towel and apply to the painful areas for 15 to 20 minutes at least four times a day. This will reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.

Cold packs: Wrap an ice pack or a package of frozen peas in a clean towel and apply to the painful areas for 15 to 20 minutes at least four times a day. This will reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.

Stretching: Initially, passive stretching exercises for your low back can help you feel better and may help relieve nerve root compression, but avoid jerking, bouncing or twisting.

Over-the-counter medications: Pain relievers (analgesics) that reduce inflammation and treat pain can be helpful for sciatica.

Physical therapy: Once acute pain improves, your doctor or physiotherapist can design a rehabilitation program to help prevent recurrent injuries. Rehabilitation typically includes exercises to help correct your posture, strengthen the muscles supporting your back and improve your flexibility. Your doctor will have you start physical therapy, exercise or both as early as possible. It should become part of your permanent routine at home.

Regular exercise: It may seem counterintuitive to exercise when you're in pain, but regular exercise is one of the best ways to combat chronic discomfort. Exercise prompts your body to release endorphins which can help alleviate anxiety and depression, conditions that can make your pain more difficult to control.

Pain Gate Control: TENS programmes one and two will provide you with a comfortable tingling sensation. This masks the sciatic pain providing you with immediate pain relief. This is most appropriate if you are experiencing severe, acute pain.

Endorphin Release: TENS programmes three and four use endorphin release, the bodies’ own natural pain relieving hormones. You will experience a comfortable tapping sensation. Thirty to forty minutes of this type of stimulation is required for endorphins to be released. Endorphins remain circulating in the body after treatment has ceased providing residual pain relief. This makes it most appropriate if you are experiencing dull, aching, chronic back pain.

The BAXOLVE™ Belt: Works by supporting the spinal and abdominal muscles. Lumbar support when applied firmly and comfortably assists lower back pain by helping to restrict painful movements. This improves posture and positional awareness. The belt also provides warmth to the affected area by stimulating local circulation, generating a feeling of well-being.

BAXOLVE™ Optional Accessories With the addition of the optional leads and pads you can use the BAXOLVE TENS unit on other areas where the pain may radiate to such as your buttocks and legs. Simply place the pads over the site of pain to activate immediate and ongoing pain relief from the programmes mentioned above.