Sports Medicine
A Crucial Period
Good Pain, Bad Pain
On Your Knees
Secondary Injuries
Imaging Technology
What's Sciatica?
The Female Athlete
Putting Your Feet First
Itis Schmitis
Too Much, Too Soon
Under the Influence
Twisted
What's Goin' On?
Think Inches, Not Pounds
Preventing Vaginitis
That Painful Pull
Athlete's Heart
Exercise & Arthritis
Chilled to the Bone
Measuring Body Fat
Exercise and Your Breasts
Choosing a Sports Doctor
Lean on Me (Shoulder)
Exercise & Anemia
Exercise Abuse
Pelvis Sighting
Hand Aid
It's All in the Wrist
Back in Action
Altitude Adjustment
Tennis Elbow, Anyone?
Exercising in the Heat
Agony of the Feet
Restless Legs
Night Time Cramps
Birth Control Concerns
No Periods, No Babies?
Post Partum Prescription
Weight Loss Mystery
Undesirable Cooldown
To Brew Or Not To Brew
Fitness After Baby
Biking and Back Pain
Swimmer's Shoulder
A Hidden Athlete
Avoiding Osteoporosis
Drug Testing
Maximum Heart Rate
Headway Against Headaches
Torn Rotator Cuff
Fat Figures
SOS About PMS
Bloody Urine
Sag Story
Lackluster Leg
Bothersome Bulge
Gaining in Years
Taking It On the Shin
Aching Ankles
Tender Toes
Meals For Muscle
Growing Pains
Hot Tips
High Altitude PMS
Personal Bests
Air Pollution
Ankle Blues
Heartbreak Heel
Yeast Relief



What's Sciatica?

Continued...

Your physician can figure out which disc is injured by considering your symptoms, examining you and administering tests such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging. In serious cases, the nerve supply to your bladder may be disrupted, resulting in difficulty urinating. If this happens, consult a doctor immediately.

Many people recover from a damaged disc simply by resting, applying ice to the sore area for one to five days and taking anti-inflammatory medication.

However, because rest causes your back muscles to atrophy quickly you should begin physical therapy as soon as possible. This will save your muscle tone and relieve the pain. If rest and physical therapy don't cure the pain, your physician may recommend injections to dissolve the disc or surgery to remove it.

Surgery on a damaged disc has a high success rate, but it could put you in the hospital for at least four to eight days, followed by a four-to eight-week convalescence.

It'll be another three to four months before you can return to sports or heavy lifting. Most physicians recommend conservative treatment for eight to 12 weeks before considering surgery.

Sciatica Spiral

Here is a good stretch to help with sciatica:

Lie flat on your back on the floor, arms at your sides. To stretch your right side, bend your right knee to waist level and put your right foot on the floor outside of your left knee. Place your left hand on the outside of right knee to hold leg in place, then gently pull right knee over your left leg toward the floor, keeping shoulders flat and abdominals contracted.

Hold the stretch for at least 10 to 15 seconds without bouncing. Do 15 repetitions on each side twice a day. (If it's too hard to keep your foot on the floor -because your muscles are too tight - gently pull knee over as far as possible without placing foot on floor.)

Are all cases of sciatica brought on by a damaged disc?

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Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine



General Health
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The information in this web site is for educational purposes only and is not providing medical or professional advice. It should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you have or suspect you might have any health problems, you should consult a physician.


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