Thursday, December 15, 2011

Treating Sciatica with Hot and Cold Pack

Sciatica is a type of pain caused by compression of nerve roots in the lower part of the spine. Pain may result from a variety of conditions, including disc problems or irritation and inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica cases are mostly not serious and will get better within a few days or weeks.  Treating sciatica includes conservative or nonsurgical sciatica treatments like heat or ice therapy, exercise or medications that help alleviates the pain.  It is helpful to have several sciatic nerve treatment options when sciatica pain flares up.  It can be used to help ease the discomfort and pain and help you to swiftly return to your normal activity.  Cold and heat treatment for sciatica is the most easily available and inexpensive and usually effective in treating sciatica.  A cold pack can reduce numb sore tissue and inflammation and lessen some of the pain in the sciatic nerve.  The ice is wrapped in a towel or, a commercial ice pack can be used.  This should be used initially when pain is sharp and intense depending on the severity of the pain.  While heat treatment dilates blood vessels thereby increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the area that helps in the healing process.  Applying or rubbing heat also stimulates sensory receptors in the skin so that the brain focuses less on the pain of sciatica.  This is best used after the acute and sharp pain has subsided.  Some patients find it most effective if they alternate between cold and heat treatment.  

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