Causes

Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the spine and runs down the back of each leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Common causes of sciatica include:

• Piriformis syndrome (a pain disorder involving the narrow piriformis muscle in the buttocks)
• Slipped disk
• Degenerative disk disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Pelvic injury or fracture
• Tumors

Symptoms

Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move. The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The sensations may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot. The affected leg may feel weak. The pain often starts slowly. Sciatica pain may get worse:

• After standing or sitting
• At night
• When sneezing, coughing, or laughing
• When bending backwards or walking more than a few yards, especially if caused by spinal stenosis

Treatment

Because sciatica is a symptom of another medical condition, the underlying cause should be identified and treated. In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery occurs on its own. Conservative treatment is best in many cases. Your doctor may recommend the following steps to calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation.

• Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Try ice for the first 48 – 72 hours, then use heat after that.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• While sleeping, try lying in a curled-up, fetal position with a pillow between your legs. If you usually sleep on your back, place a pillow or rolled towel under your knees to relieve pressure.

If at-home measures do not help, your doctor may recommend injections to reduce inflammation around the nerve. Other medicines may be prescribed to help reduce the stabbing pains associated with sciatica. Physical therapy exercises may also be recommended. Additional treatments depend on the condition that is causing the sciatica. Nerve pain is very difficult to treat. If you have ongoing problems with pain, you may want to see a neurologist or a pain specialist to ensure that you have access to the widest range of treatment options.

Make This Change Permanent

With no known neuropathy cure available, it can become frustrating for a neuropathic patient as he or she struggles day in and day out with intense levels of nerve pain; however, modern medicine combined with modern research has helped provide hope for chronic neuropathic sufferers. More nerve pain treatments have become available within the last decade than in the last two decades combined. Research and clinical test are showing how natural ingredients that are easily accessible can be tapped into to hopefully one day soon have a neuropathy cure.

The latest developments regarding an effective nerve pain treatment would include the Neuropathy Support formula. The Neuropathy Support Formula is a natural formula that is designed to help nerve pain sufferers fight their symptoms and help them improve their quality of life. The ingredients that make up this powerful formula are natural, safe and full of antioxidants. Treating nerve pain naturally decreases the pain without causing any unwanted side effects. Some ingredients that make up the Neuropathy Support Formula would be:

• Alpha Lipoic Acid – Studies have demonstrated that this antioxidant is twelve times more effective in regenerating itself than other supplements. Alpha Lipoic Acid is able to relieve painful neuropathy symptoms such as burning, aching and numbness three of the more common neuropathy symptoms by providing better blood flow and oxygen to the damaged nerve cells. Alpha Lipoic Acid is affectionately referred to as the “Super Antioxidant” due to its unique ability to breakdown glucose and discovers a way to distribute it into the damaged nerve cells.
• Benfotiamine
• Methylcobalamine
• Passionflower Extract – Scientists believe that the passion flower has the ability to increase levels of a chemical found in the brain called gamma aminobutyric. Gamma aminobutyric lowers brain cell activity creating a more calming effect on individuals.  This herb has also been known to assist in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.
• Skullcap Extract

Massage Therapy is one of the holistic methods and treatments for neuropathy yet must be conducted by a therapeutic professional in order for the desired results to occur. The massage can help reduce swelling and can promote a more increased blood flow throughout the extremities as well as other areas that neuropathy might be prevalent. By increasing blood flow, many neuropathy symptoms will fade or even disappear. Stay informed and search out the right treatment for your migraines.

What Will Happen After You Are Diagnosed

Whenever there are life changes it can become a challenge to incorporate the new changes into your already busy life. Being diagnosed with a condition such as neuropathy is no exception. With the diagnosis brings on a list of new goals, objectives and lifestyle decisions. Now one must focus on the goal of finding relief for their neuropathy pain and how will they maintain everyday normal life while juggling nerve pain and neuropathic treatment.

Once the diagnosis has been made, the attending physician will briefly explain treatment options and then hurry to prescribe medication stating that if you want nerve pain relief this prescription will help. Not all prescription medication is bad for you however, not all prescription medication is good for you either. Before agreeing to the use of prescription medication asks what the side effects and risks are.

Patients need to be aware that other treatments are available other than prescription medication. In a time where life is busy and it seems simpler to swallow a pill than find time to go to therapy stop and consider the long term effect that prescription medication can have. Daily exercises that are simple to do and can be done around or during your normal activities can help you maintain a social life while still undergoing neuropathic treatment. Daily natural supplements are a great way to lessen nerve pain without running the risk of dangerous side

Symptoms

The first step to addressing foot pain caused by neuropathy is being aware of any changes in sensitivity and appearance of feet. The nerve damage caused in your body will create a tingling sensation and foot pain.   This pain can simply stay in the feet or could radiate up the legs and cause joint pain in the knees, as well as, skin sensitivity.  If the condition worsens a more severe pain, such as burning or an electric shock sensation will radiate through your feet and lower legs, often being so intense that sufferers will be woken from a deep sleep.  Once a significant level of damage is caused to the nerves, muscle weakness in the lower legs and feet will make walking and even keeping balance extremely difficult.  Sensations in the feet are limited, as well, making it difficult to feel pressure (i.e. feet hitting the floor) or temperature changes.  With these things being limited, coordination of lower extremities becomes quite a challenge.   At any time, should you notice an increase or change in symptoms, contact your physician immediately.

Treatment

When seeking help for managing neuropathy pain in your feet, several options are available.  First, be sure to check your feet every day.  Monitoring overall foot health and care will ensure that no infections are present.  Simple blisters, cracks in dry skin or ingrown toenails can result in a serious infection for neuropathic feet with potential for amputation if infections are left untreated.  Taking time to properly clean and moisturize your feet each day will help to reduce these risks.  Additionally, be sure to wear supportive shoes and avoid tight fighting socks.

Changes to your lifestyle might be one of the easiest strategies for managing pain.  Maintaining a well-balanced diet will help to reduce blood sugar levels and slowly reduces damage to nerves.  Avoiding the excessive intake of alcoholic beverages will also support neuropathy treatment.  Doctors recommend not consuming more than four alcoholic beverages a week for neuropathy sufferers.  Alcohol is a toxin to the body and attacks the nerves, leaving already damaged nerves more susceptible and prolonging pain.  Sufferers, along with a well-balanced diet, should begin a basic exercise routine to aid in reducing the level and frequency of foot pain experienced.

Medical options are available for those looking for a more scheduled and regulated approach to pain management.  Currently, doctors are prescribing medications such as Sulfonylureas, Biguanides, and Thiazolidinediones in the treatment of foot pain caused by neuropathy.  Some have found that take vitamins and herbal supplements on a consistent basis have been beneficial, as well.  Many have found that taking B-6 vitamins or regularly having B-vitamin injections is a very effective method for reducing pain.  A deficiency in B6 can aggravate or induce neuropathic pain.

For those seeking a non-medical approach, many different options are available.  One popular treatment is the use of Evening Primrose Oil.  This supplement, derived from the Evening Primrose Plant, has shown great success is preventing damage to nerves and slowing the progression of the condition.  Making digestive enzymes a regular part of your routine, taken 2-3 times a day, will help to remove plaque and improve circulation to extremities.  Relaxation techniques such as massage and acupuncture have also been found effective.  These methods help to improve circulation throughout the body and flush out toxins that may be responsible for nerve damage.

When making any changes to treatment plans for neuropathy pain, consult your physician first.  It is imperative to assure new alternative treatment options will not reduce effectiveness of current plan and that your body is healthy enough to manage this change.

So Simple Yet Effective

If neuropathic patients make the commitment to adhere to the following suggested lifestyle changes, they would see great improvement not only in their neuropathic pain but their overall health as well.

• Implement a diet where vegetables and fruits are the main
• Eat foods full all antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients
• Stop smoking
• Stop drinking
• Morning stretching to help keep muscles from stiffening and causing more pain and possibly immobility
• Attempt low impact exercises daily such as swimming and walking
• Focus on learning different sitting and sleeping techniques to help alleviate pressure on the joints, hands and feet
• Administer daily foot checks to determine if foot injury has occurred
• Wear appropriate foot wear such as loose fitting socks and correctly fitting shoes. Avoid tight fitting hosiery, shoes and socks that will hinder circulation.

Eating right, exercising and neuropathy treatment are the three most effective methods for managing life with neuropathy and establishing a new form of normal. Neuropathy patients do not have to sacrifice everything they love because of their diagnosis; make the needed changes and get back to enjoying an active and pain free life!

Ointment/Creams

Topical creams such as Lidocaine and Capsaicin have been known to help relieve neuropathic symptoms on a temporary basis. Lidocaine patches and a Capsaicin topical cream both have a soothing effect on damaged nerves. Both Lidocaine and Capsaicin are safe to use frequently throughout a day on neuropathic areas such as the hands and feet. Lidocaine patches and capsaicin ointment is a great neuropathy tool for mild nerve pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an alternative option for treating certain ailments and condition by way of needle. Needles are strategically inserted into the feet and then manipulated in order to help with the following problems:

• Relief of pain
• Infertility
• Migraines
• Treats Diseases
• Prevents Diseases

Acupuncture historically is an ancient Chinese medical treatment that the Chinese believe to be a technique that is used to allow the body to flow and re-balance. Within the last three decades, acupuncture has gained popularity here in the western world and is used and recommended by many medical professionals.

Physical Therapy

There are several goals or objectives to participating in physical therapy after being diagnosed with neuropathy.

1. Maintaining a full range of motion
2. Strengthening muscles that may have      been weakened from the effect of neuropathy

Though a neuropathic patient may reach their goal of movement and pain tolerance when walking, it would be unwise to stop participating in physical therapy. Neuropathy patients should continue to adhere to their physical therapist maintenance instructions to avoid taking a step backwards in their therapy progress. For those neuropathic patients that suffer from diabetic neuropathy specifically should not solely rely on physical therapy as their form of neuropathy treatment, diabetic neuropathy sufferers must focus their time and energy on maintaining their blood sugar levels as their first and foremost form of neuropathy treatment.

Neuropathy can be considered a collection of disorders that develop when damaged to the peripheral nervous system occurs. The peripheral nervous system refers to the part of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord; when damage occurs to the nerve cells or nerve axons, it is called peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is a painful condition that can have an effect on an individual’s life and their ability to maintain a normal active life. This condition is a serious one and those who have symptoms of neuropathy need to be made aware of the complications that could arise from their lack of neuropathy treatment.

The “What If” Factor

No one likes to think of the “What If” factor but knowing what the complications could be if a lack of treatment is implemented can and will help patients understand the need and the importance of a neuropathy treatment. Neuropathy symptoms affect nerves that: control muscle movement also known as motor nerves, the sensory nerves which helps the body detect sensations such as hot and cold as well as affects the autonomic nerves that directly influences the health and wellbeing of internal organs such as:

• Heart
• Blood Vessels
• Bladder
• Intestines

Neuropathy symptoms make it extremely difficult to walk and operate on a normal basis. The inflicted areas become overly sensitive to touch and pressure, pains such as these will continue to worsen if left untreated. Pain is one reason to seek out treatment but it is not the most important reason as to why neuropathy should never be left untreated. When muscles are not exercised or used, they become stiff and lose their range of motion. Neuropathy can cause muscle weakness as well as muscle stiffness which means if not treated neuropathy could lead an individual into a life of immobility and complete loss of freedom.

Possible Threat Of Amputation

Without treatment, limbs – feet in particular – can become stiff and loose feeling completely causing an individual to undergo further physical harm such as an open wound in the foot. Due to the lack of feeling, the numbness creates the open wound can become infected resulting in the need for amputation. You may be thinking this is ridiculous, uncommon and far-fetched but statistics do not lie. Statistics say that the leading cause for amputation is because of foot neuropathy.

Implement Treatment Quickly

Once a diagnosis has been made the patient can then begin to explore his or her treatment options. Neuropathy sufferers have many treatment options to choose from some of which is medicine based and others that are more natural in their methods.

• Acupuncture
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Low Impact Exercise
• Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
• Topical Creams
  • Lidocaine
  • Caspian
• Prescription Medication
• Natural Alternatives
  • Vitamin Supplements
    • Vitamin B
    • Vitamin B1
    • Vitamin B2
    • Vitamin B6
    • Vitamin B12
    • Vitamin D
  •  Herbal
    • Feverfew
    • Oat straw
    • Skullcap
    • Passion Flower

Choosing the incorrect treatment could have a negative effect not only on your neuropathy pain but on your overall emotional, mental and physiological wellbeing. Neuropathy has no known cure therefore those selecting a treatment option must be just that – selective. Rushing into any old treatment plan just in hopes of finding relief is never a good idea. Take the time needed to educate yourself on all the neuropathy treatment options available as well as their success and failure rate to help insure that you are finding the best treatment option available.

Making informed and educated decisions can become challenging after receiving a diagnosis such as neuropathy. Neuropathy is a complex condition that can have an effect on the body’s nervous system. Neuropathy can be considered a collection of disorders that develop when damaged to the peripheral nervous system occurs. The peripheral nervous system refers to the part of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord; when damage occurs to the nerve cells or nerve axons, it is called peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is a painful condition that can have an effect on an individual’s life and their ability to maintain a normal active life therefore a treatment must be instilled in order to prevent a complete loss of mobility.

Take A Grand Look

Nerve pain symptoms limit mobility and can create further nerve cell damage. Symptoms of neuropathy are often described as:

•  Tingling
• Burning
• Needle-like pinching
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of coordination
• Itching
• Sensitivity to touch
• Dull ache
• Involuntary muscle spasms

Nerve pain symptoms do not go away on their own nor is there a cure for neuropathy itself. Choosing the wrong neuropathy treatment can result in further limitations, complications and demobilization. No cure means a lifetime of suffering with nerve pains therefore treatment for those nerve pains must come alongside the individuals life and fit in rather than complicate. Be prepared to have your eyes bulge out of your head when you see how many treatment options are available to those who have been diagnosed with neuropathy.

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic Care
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Low Impact Exercise
• Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
• Topical Creams
  • Lidocaine
  • Caspian
• Prescription Medication
• Natural Alternatives
  • Vitamin Supplements
    • Vitamin B
    • Vitamin B1
    • Vitamin B2
    • Vitamin B6
    • Vitamin B12
    • Vitamin D
  •  Herbal
    • Feverfew
    • Oat straw
    • Skullcap
    • Passion Flower

After looking over the list of treatment options you may begin to understand why some individuals experience an overwhelming feeling when the time comes to choose and implement one.

What You Should Consider

One way to help make the decisions less stressful and overwhelming is to stop and consider the side effects and ramifications that could arise from just randomly choosing a treatment off the list. Not every treatment option on the list is a safe treatment that can be used for an extended period of time. The use of prescription medications can lead to addictions and long term side effects making them not wisest of treatment choices. Choosing a natural route to neuropathy relief is a safe option that is geared toward a lifelong journey and treatment plan, the opposite side to the coin is pharmaceutical options such as prescription medication. Natural treatment choices would include the use of various therapies as well as various supplements. One natural and safe approach to nerve pain relief would include massage therapy.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is looked at as a complimentary therapy that when used in combination with other treatments can be beneficial in reducing nerve pain. One complication of neuropathy is the development of still muscles due to poor circulation or from lack of use. Adding weekly massage therapy sessions, one can improve blood circulation as well as help loosen stiffened muscles thus providing relief to the damaged area. It appears as though research has shown through several  studies that massage therapy has a way of calming the stressed nerve endings and relinquishing the pent up stress found in the nerve endings.

When there is an issue with the nervous system the body and the parts affected by the issue begin to malfunction and not report back to the brain what is really going on. When there is a breakdown in communication, it is if static is being heard and the nerve endings are getting mixed messages as to what they should or should not be sensing. The brain is what communicates to the sensory nerves that the burner they are about to touch is hot and the sensory nerves communicates back to the brain that they could sense through touch that the burner is too hot. When this line of communication is not working correctly, an individual has a hard time computing when something is hot or cold, terrain changes and if injury has occurred.

How Does Neuropathy Occur?         

The development of neuropathy is still somewhat of a mystery. Medical professionals have been able to determine several causes of this painful condition, but there are still many unsolved cases of neuropathy forming floating around in medical space. The causes that are known would include the following:

• Alcohol Abuse
• Diabetes
• Kidney Failure
• Vitamin Deficiency
• Traumatic Injury
• Infections
  • Lyme Disease
  • HIV
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Exposure To Dangerous Toxins
  • Amputation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Shingles
  • Autoimmune Diseases
    • Lupus
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Guillain-Barre Syndrome
    • Tumors
    • Genetics

The above underlying causes of neuropathy if discovered in a timely manner could help drastically reduce the amount of nerve damage that a person experiences if the underlying cause is not caught in a timely manner the neuropathic patient is left suffering with a series of miserable symptoms that have the potential to leave the individual demobilized.

Demobilizing Symptoms

Neuropathy symptoms are the body’s way of communicating that something is dreadfully wrong and in need of medical attention. So learn to pay close attention to the following symptoms and seek medical care and attention quickly when they begin to develop.

• Tingling
• Burning
• Needle-like pinching
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of coordination
• Itching
• Sensitivity to touch
• Dull ache
• Involuntary muscle spasms

The symptoms of neuropathy can cause permanent nerve damage resulting in a life of confinement. Living life stuck in a home confined to a bed or a chair is no way to live that is why seeking out a neuropathy treatment is the best solution for easing nerve pain symptoms and to help with getting life back to being mobile.

Nerve Pain Treatment Options

Choosing a nerve pain treatment option is a big deal, the reason being that the treatment chosen must be safe enough to be used long term. Neuropathy is a condition of which no cure has been discovered therefore those that have been diagnosed with this condition must find a way to live safely with his or her chosen treatment option. The following are just a few of the neuropathy treatments available to neuropathic patients. Make sure you speak with your physician about your treatment choice before implementing it.

• Acupuncture
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Low Impact Exercise
• Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Topical Creams
    • Lidocaine
    • Caspian
    • Prescription Medication
    • Natural Alternatives
      • Vitamin Supplements
        • Vitamin B
        • Vitamin B1
        • Vitamin B2
        • Vitamin B6
        • Vitamin B12
        • Vitamin D
      •  Herbal
        • Feverfew
        • Oat straw
        • Skullcap
        • Passion Flower

Risks to Consider

More than half of all lower-limb amputations in the United States occur in people with diabetes – 86,000 amputations per year. Doctors estimate that nearly half of the amputations caused by neuropathy and poor circulation could have been prevented by careful foot care.

Treatment Solutions and Caring for Your Feet

Follow these steps to take care of your feet:

• Clean your      feet daily, using warm-not hot-water and a mild soap. Avoid soaking your      feet. Dry them with a soft towel and dry carefully between your toes.
• Inspect      your feet and toes every day for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling,      calluses, or other problems. Use a mirror-laying a mirror on the floor      works well-or get help from someone else if you cannot see the bottoms of      your feet. Notify your health care provider of any problems.
• Moisturize      your feet with lotion, but avoid getting the lotion between your toes.
• After a      bath or shower, file corns and calluses gently with a pumice stone.
• Each week      or when needed, cut your toenails to the shape of your toes and file the      edges with an emery board.
• Always      wear shoes or slippers to protect your feet from injuries. Prevent skin      irritation by wearing thick, soft, seamless socks.
• Wear shoes      that fit well and allow your toes to move. Break in new shoes gradually by      first wearing them for only an hour at a time.
• Before      putting your shoes on, look them over carefully and feel the insides with      your hand to make sure they have no tears, sharp edges, or objects in them      that might injure your feet.
• If you      need help taking care of your feet, make an appointment to see a foot      doctor, also called a podiatrist.