| The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve | | | | cushioning; and, because they allow for varying |
| in the body. The sciatic nerve begins in the | | | | degrees of width and a greater array of sizing |
| lumbo-sacral region (L-4 through S-3) of the spine, | | | | alternatives, thus improving fit which translates |
| as five nerve roots from L-4 through S-3 leave | | | | into a better walking experience. The better fit |
| the spine and merge into one large nerve that | | | | and cushioning means less impact on the spine |
| travels across the buttocks (the gluteal muscles) | | | | and that means less back pain generally and less |
| and down the back of the thigh and then into the | | | | sciatica specifically. |
| lower leg, branching off just above the knee, at | | | | New Balance shoes are also rated very high for |
| the back of the lower thigh, into the peroneal and | | | | dealing with pronation, another factor to consider |
| tibial nerves, and finally giving rise to nerves | | | | when it comes to sciatica. For more information, |
| traveling down into the ankle, feet, and toes. | | | | Runner's World Magazine has a great website that |
| Consequently, sciatic nerve pain or sciatica may | | | | deals extensively with the proper shoes, as well |
| be felt at any point along the nerve route, | | | | as pronation and supination. Keep in mind their |
| expressing as lower back pain, pain in and/or | | | | target audience is a bit different but they still |
| across the buttocks, leg pain, particularly pain at | | | | have excellent explanations for both of these |
| the back of the leg, pain behind the knee, and | | | | conditions and they make recommendations |
| even pain, tingling, and/or numbness into the feet | | | | concerning walking shoes, as well as what shoes |
| and toes. Interestingly, sciatica is not a specific | | | | are ranked highly and for what. The only other |
| condition but a symptom of a problem at some | | | | shoe worth considering is the Asics Gel-Nimbus 11. |
| point along the nerve route, usually but not | | | | This is a runner's shoe but took the editor's award |
| always at the nerve root itself. | | | | for Runner's World, a huge accomplishment. The |
| The ultimate sciatica pain relief strategy is ice. Ice | | | | shoe mainly won for the "fit and feel" of the shoe. |
| is by far the most effective method for | | | | It has memory foam throughout for a great |
| immediate and lasting sciatic nerve pain relief. | | | | overall fit. I have just ordered a pair, I so will let |
| Unfortunately, many people, including many | | | | you know what I think. They are comparably |
| medical experts advise heat for sciatica, in fact | | | | priced to the best New Balance walking shoes. |
| for almost all back pain, and that is generally the | | | | The fourth sciatic nerve pain relief strategy is |
| worst thing you can do. Inflammation and swelling | | | | water walking. No, I don't mean swimming, I mean |
| is exacerbated by heat and reduced with ice. | | | | getting into a pool and walking and moving with |
| Most nerve irritation is the result of inflammation | | | | slow and deliberate movements. I have used this |
| and/or swelling at some point along the nerve | | | | strategy and it is one of the best I have ever |
| route, ice is the recommended treatment. Ice, | | | | found. Not only is the water soothing, even if the |
| using an ice compression brace is best but a plain | | | | water temperature is on the cold side (so much |
| old ice pack will also do just fine. Keep the ice on | | | | the better, actually!), but the motion itself is |
| for as long as you can stand it, providing you | | | | therapeutic. I realize not everyone has access to |
| have a sheet or thin towel between the ice and | | | | a pool but most communities in the states have a |
| your skin to avoid frostbite. This is, of course, | | | | YMCAs or YWCAs. And price shouldn't be an |
| anecdotal and based on my experience over 15 | | | | issue because they have membership rates |
| major surgeries, 14 on my back...ice works best! | | | | tailored for any socio-economic bracket. So, there |
| I am not going to get into why people | | | | is no reason not to get in the pool at least a |
| recommend heat, beyond mentioning that | | | | couple of times a week. If you use this strategy |
| proponents argue that heat helps with blood flow | | | | for a month or two, you will never do without it |
| to the affected area, specifically nutrition and | | | | again, it is that good. |
| oxygen, and healing is enhanced, as a result. As | | | | Finally, the fifth sciatic nerve pain relief strategy is |
| you know too well if you experience sciatic nerve | | | | rest. This is a short-term pain relief strategy and |
| pain, when you are in pain the most important | | | | should not become a permanent method of |
| thing is relieving the pain! The healing will come | | | | dealing with sciatica or any other form of back |
| later, let's deal with the sciatica first! | | | | pain...or pain of any sort for that matter. In fact, |
| The second sciatic nerve pain relief strategy is | | | | the reason I left it until last is because it is usually |
| stretching. The piriformis muscle, and in particular | | | | the worst thing you can do as a regular method |
| what is called piriformis syndrome, may be the | | | | of dealing with pain. While being active and even |
| culprit when it comes to sciatica, or it may be at | | | | exercising may seem counter-intuitive, it is usually |
| least partially to blame. The anatomy, where the | | | | the best back pain and sciatic nerve pain relief |
| sciatic nerve is located, along with a muscle | | | | strategy, period! The more you sit around, the |
| imbalance, as the sciatic nerve is located in close | | | | less you do, the more pain you will have, |
| proximity to the piriformis, may create the | | | | guaranteed! However, there are times when you |
| piriformis syndrome. A muscle imbalance may | | | | may need to put your knees up, put the ice pack |
| create pressure on the sciatic nerve, creating | | | | on your back, and rest. As long as it is short-term |
| sciatica. A simple and easy to do stretch can help | | | | and incident specific, fine, rest. But please, do not |
| alleviate discomfort almost immediately. | | | | become a couch-potato as a means of treating |
| The sciatica stretch is easy to do while seated in | | | | sciatica or any other form of back pain, it is the |
| any chair. While seated in a chair, cross your left | | | | absolutely kiss of death when it comes to |
| leg over your right leg so that your left ankle is | | | | overcoming your back pain and/or sciatica. |
| resting on your right knee, bend forward at the | | | | So there you have them, my five ultimate bad |
| waist pulling the left leg to the chest while | | | | back strategies...or in this case, my five sciatica |
| continuing to bend forward. You will feel stretching | | | | relief strategies. The best for immediate relief |
| outside of the left leg, as well as in the buttocks, | | | | from sciatica is ice. The next-best treatment |
| stretching and leaning forward as much as any | | | | strategy for sciatic nerve pain relief is stretching, |
| pain will allow. This stretch may be done to both | | | | particularly the piriformis/sciatica stretch. The third |
| sides, both legs, but the emphasis should be on | | | | technique is to switch your shoes, slip into |
| the side where you are experiencing the sciatica. | | | | something more comfortable, so to speak. The |
| If the sciatic nerve pain is due to a muscle | | | | fourth pain relief strategy is to start walking, |
| imbalance or piriformis syndrome you will feel | | | | water walking that is. By the way, walking, as a |
| immediate pain relief, if the pain is the result of a | | | | rule, is also one of the best long-term strategies |
| bulging or herniated disc, you may need to rely on | | | | and will be dealt with extensively in an upcoming |
| other treatment strategies. | | | | article series. Finally, number five is last for a |
| The third method is to change your footwear. | | | | reason, it should not be abused...rest. Rest, while |
| Often people suffering from back pain in general, | | | | at times necessary, is not a long-term treatment |
| and sciatic nerve pain specifically, are wearing the | | | | strategy. In fact, rest is a terrible long-term |
| wrong shoes. The importance of proper shoes | | | | strategy leading to muscle weakness, muscle |
| cannot be overstated! Fashion? Forget about | | | | atrophy, weight gain, and other negative effects |
| fashion! The only thing that matters when it | | | | that actually contribute to, instead of alleviating, |
| comes to footwear is pain relief when you are in | | | | back pain and sciatica. So, get off the couch or |
| pain; and, when experiencing sciatica in particular. I | | | | out of the recliner, and certainly out of bed, and |
| recommend New Balance walking shoes because | | | | start walking...more to follow! |
| they are rated very high when it comes to heel | | | | |