The back provides support for the head and the trunk of the human body. It's one of the strongest areas of the body and allows for a great deal of flexibility and movement. A key area of the back is the spinal canal, which provides nerves to the rest of the body. Because of the spine, injuries to the back can cause pain in other areas of the body. The sciatic nerve runs through the lower back and is the longest and widest nerve in the human body.
Causes
When the Sciatic nerve becomes damaged or if there is pressure on the nerve, this can cause pain, weakness and numbness in the lower back and legs. This medical condition is known as sciatica. Sciatica is usually caused by a herniated or slipped disk in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae. More rarely, the nerve can be compressed by a tumor or damaged by a disease such as diabetes. The term sciatica is actually used to describe pain along the sciatic nerve, and is not a disorder on its own.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Sciatica include:
- Moderate to severe pain in lower back, buttock and down your leg
- Numbness or weakness in your lower back, buttock, leg or feet
- Pain that worsens with movement; loss of movement
- “Pins and needles” feeling in your legs, toes or feet
Treatments
Most people with sciatica get better on their own with time and self-care treatments. The goal of treatment is to decrease your pain and increase your mobility. Many find relief by:
- Applying ice and/or hot packs
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication
- Performing gentle stretches
- Alternative therapies (chiropractic, physiotherapy, acupuncture treatments)
- Back braces
Brace Aid Medical Supply has a selection of back braces designed specifically to help relieve pain in the back for those suffering from Sciatica. These braces reduce pain by releasing pressure off pinched nerves and propping the spine in the correct posture.
Below are recommended back braces Sciatica back pain. If you are still unsure and need assistance with selecting the correct back brace or taking measurements, we are here to help! Give us a call at 1-888-222-5938, send us an email through or ‘Contact us’ page or use our Live Chat function.
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