Sciatica - Symptoms and Diagnosis

Sciatic pain is most commonly felt on one side of the body in either leg as mild to sharp pain and occasional bursts of shooting pain through the back of the leg. Pain may be accompanied by paresthesia (pins and needles) and cramping as well as intensified pain during back related activities including simple tasks like standing up from a seated position. Furthermore, muscle weakness along the nerve pathway in the leg and/or weakness in the knee and ankle joints may lead to difficulty walking.

In some cases, the sciatic nerve may be irritated to the point of incontinence, the inability to control/retain bladder and bowel function. This symptom indicates that a group of nerves of the lower spine, the cauda equina, responsible for pelvic organ function, is irritated. As well, tingling and numbing may be experienced in the groin and genitals.

Generally, for sciatica and back pain the doctor will perform a series of nerve function tests to isolate the source and area of your pain. You can expect a physical, examining the range of motion of your legs and back noting the movements and areas that cause discomfort. As well, a reflex exam may be administered to determine knee and ankle strength. Further tests such as, X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans and Nerve conduction tests (testing the healthy response of specific nerves), may be requested by your doctor in order to determine the source of pain like trauma or a herniated disc.

Once diagnosed, finding relief for sciatica and back pain will include a visit to a chiropractor or physical therapist. Calming the muscle's reaction to the pain and relieving the stress on the nerve is crucial to obtaining relief. Sometimes the treatment includes the use of sound wave technology such as our personal therapeutic ultrasound device. See our treatments section for a comprehensive look at our ultrasound and compression wrap therapies.

Treating You Sciatica Pain

Compression of the sciatic nerve can occur in various locations and the exact cause and location is not always known. Treating the symptoms can be helpful to manage the pain but treating the source of the compression will result in faster sciatica relief. We recommend that you see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and to determine the cause of the compression on the sciatic nerve.

Ultrasound Therapy

Compression on the sciatic nerve caused by a tight or swollen lower back muscle (usually the piriformis muscle) should be treated with ultrasound therapy. Using therapeutic ultrasound in the lower back and hip area will loosen tight muscles and reduce swelling and inflammation. It will also clear the area of damaged tissue that can cause a build up of toxins and continued irritation.

Ultrasound has been used by physical therapists and doctors for years to treat muscle strains, tears, spasm and more. By applying ultrasound therapy to your piriformis muscle you can reduce the swelling and irritation to alleviate the compression on your sciatic nerve. By treating the cause of your sciatica pain, you can alleviate the symptoms faster.

Ultrasound is a great therapeutic option to decrease inflammation, pain and scar tissue build up experienced with sciatica and other soft tissue injuries. The treatment is easy, painless, and requires 10 minutes of your time. It is based on a form of deep thermal therapy which is generated through high frequency sound waves that reach into the cells of the tissue. These sound waves reach into your piriformis muscle and hip to reduce swelling, inflammation and scar tissue.

Using the MendMeShop^® Lavender Infusion Gel during your ultrasound therapy gives you 2 therapies in 1. You get the benefit of the regenerating sound waves from the ultrasound device itself AND the added bonus of the therapeutic ingredients inside the gel being delivered into the tissue where it is most effective.

Lavender Infusion Ultrasound Gel contains the natural essential oils of Bulgarian lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and menthol and is exclusively available from MendMeShop^®. These ingredients reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation to your lower back and hip. 1 bottle of MendMeShop^® Lavender Infusion Ultrasound Gel comes FREE with every MendMeShop^® Ultrasound System so you get unbeatable ultrasound therapy for your sciatica pain.

Click here to learn more about Ultrasound Therapy.

Inferno Wrap^® Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy^™

Blood flow stimulation therapy, or BFST^®, should be used over your lumbar region and lower back to improve blood flow and nourish soft tissue. Your body needs a fresh supply of blood to improve the health of your tissue and treat the muscle strain or irritation to relieve the compression of your sciatic nerve.

Unfortunately, when you are suffering from sciatica it can be painful to even walk or lift your leg. When you limit movement in your hip the blood flow is reduced, starving your tissue of the necessary oxygen and nutrients.

The trick is to find a way to increase blood flow without causing pain and/or further inflaming the muscle or discs. This is where blood flow stimulation therapy, or BFST^®, becomes a powerful tool.

BFST^® compliments your body's natural healing process By promoting blood flow while you give your sciatic nerve the rest it needs.

The Back/Hip Inferno Wrap^® uses a patented process to generate the same energy that is part of the sun's spectrum of light, the same energy that is necessary to all living things for optimum health. The energy emitted from the Energy Web^® stimulates blood flow to your lower back and hip, more than your body would ever be able to generate on it's own, giving your body the boost it needs to keep your spine and lower back muscles as healthy as possible and reduce the risk of irritation, inflammation and herniation. The soothing energy reaches deep into your body to whisk away the toxins and dead cells, and rejuvenate your muscle tissues for improved elasticity.

Click here to learn more about how BFST^® and Inferno Wraps^® work.

Freezie Wrap^® Cold Therapy

If you are experiencing referred pain above the knee or in your lower leg caused by the compression of your sciatic nerve, cold compression therapy can provide some relief. The cooling sensation along with the compression can help to numb the nerves to help alleviate the pain. However, treatment of the location of the compression is most important to treat the source of this referred pain.

Applying cold compression wherever you are experiencing pain will help. The Back/Hip Freezie Wrap^® is versatile and can be used to treat your lower back, hip or leg. It's unique supercharged cooling gel pack, chills in the fridge, not in the freezer like ice or other freezer packs, giving you deep cold therapy without the risk of 'cold burns' or cryoburn.

Treat your sciatica pain with cold compression therapy as needed throughout the day. The Back/Hip Freezie Wrap^® can be used to apply cold in a safe, convenient and effective way - and the gel pack is reusable.

Click here to learn more about Cold Compression Freezie Wraps^®

With these 3 easy therapies, cold compression, ultrasound and BFST^®, you will notice significantly reduced pain and an incredible improvement in your pain and range of motion.

We recommend that you consult your doctor and/or physiotherapist before using any of our outstanding products, to make sure they're right for you and your condition.

Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Or email us at service@MendMeShop.com