How to Treat Sciatica Naturally - 8 Tips to Natural Treatment of Sciatic Nerve Pain

There are ways to treat sciatica naturally, but in order to understand them, you need to understand the very nature of sciatica itself.
The term sciatica refers to numbness, pain, tingling or weakness felt in the legs (usually in just one) and is caused by compression or injury to the sciatic nerve. Sensations usually start slowly and may get worse during the following instances:

• at night
• after sitting or standing
• when laughing
• coughing or sneezing
• when bending backwards
• walking a longer distance

Symptoms can also be felt on the calves and soles of the feet. These symptoms are related to another medical issue and are not a condition all on their own. The pain from sciatica can widely vary and can be so intense to cause someone not to be able to move. Sciatica occurs typically as a result of:

• herniation of the spinal disc
• sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• spinal stenosis
• Piriformis syndrome
• pregnancy

Because sciatica is a result of being a symptom of another condition, it should be treated after the underlying cause has been identified. Conservative treatment is normally most effective.
Drugs can be toxic for the body, even if prescribed, especially once the body gets adjusted to them. Usually the moment medication is stopped, the pain returns.
The following are ways to treat sciatica naturally that are safe, fast, effective and can be performed at home to reduce symptoms and inflammation:

1. Apply ice or heat to the sore area. Begin treating with ice for 48-72 hours and then switch to heat.
2. Take pain relievers that are over-the-counter, such as Tylenol, Advil or Motrin IB
3. When sleeping, lay in a curled-up position with a pillow between the legs. If you lay on your back, place a rolled towel or pillow underneath the knees.
4. Drink plenty of fresh vegetable juice that is made from carrots, celery and potatoes. Both celery and potatoes are natural medicines used to relieve pain. The carrots make it more palatable.
5. Relax the sciatic nerve with a poultice made of fresh minced horseradish. Leave this mixture on the area for a least an hour, two or three times a day.
6. Use a hot water on the affected area. This will increase sleep quality and relax muscles and nerves. The body's natural heat will keep the bottle warm throughout the night.
7. Stretch every day. Pilates, yoga, massage and Tai Chi are ways to treat and prevent sciatica.
8. Swim. Swimming naturally relieves the pressure that is placed on the sciatic nerve. Keeping the body fit and flexible treats and prevents sciatica.

In following the eight steps above, you can be well on your way to treat sciatica naturally, giving yourself the freedom to do all you want and need -- without being a slave to the excruciating sciatic nerve pain commonly associated with it.

By Dr. Tom Kilpratt

Bell's Palsy - Cause, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Bell's palsy, also known as one sided facial paralysis,is caused by the dysfunction of the facial nerve (7th Cranial Nerve). One pair of facial nerves, one facial nerve on each side of the face supply the muscles of face. This condition causes the affected side of the face to droop.This happens because of the inability of nerve to conduct impulse to the muscles. This condition comes on suddenly, often overnight, so it is acute in onset.

It is one of the most common disorder of the cranial nerves. It is also the number one cause of facial paralysis worldwide.

It affects men and women equally. Although it can occur at any age it is usually seen in people above the age of 60. People with diabetes have higher risks of developing this disease.

Cause of Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy occurs when the facial nerve fails to stimulate the facial muscles. This happens when the facial nerve is inflamed or compressed. This inflammation or compression of the nerve results in paralysis of the corresponding side of the face. What causes the inflammation of the facial nerve, is currently unknown. This inflammation can be caused by anything ranging from trauma or infection from various viruses.

Viruses that have been linked are the virus that causes:

1. Cold sores and genital herpes (herpes simplex)
2. Chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster)
3. Mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr)

Symptoms of Bell's Palsy

The most common feature of Bell's palsy is the drooping of the affected side of the face, due to the malfunction of the facial nerve. The symptoms come on suddenly. These are:

• Rapid onset of mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of patients the face.
• Facial tingling.
• Drooling from the corner of the mouth.
• Disappearance of the wrinkles on the affected side.
• Expressionlessness on the affected side.
• Impaired speech.

In rare cases, it can affect the nerves on both sides of the face.

Diagnosis

There are no specific tests for Bell's palsy. It is normally diagnosed by a careful and through elimination of all the other diseases causing the same symptoms. Thus, Bell's palsy is a diagnosis of exclusion.

But before confirming the diagnosis the Doctor may ask the patient to perform a few facial muscle exercises in front of him like, closing of eyes, lifting of brow, showing of teeth and frowning, among other movements.

By Maniapal King