Cover: Soft
Page Count: 164

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter One: What is Sciatica?
The Intervertebral Disc
Why Do Discs Bulge and Rupture?
The Dry Disc Dilemma
The Poor Posture Connection
More Causes of Sciatica Pain
Arthritis
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Spondylolisthesis
Spinal Stenosis
Muscle Spasms
Menstrual Sciatic Pain
Diagnosing It
Tests
Other Tests

Chapter Two: What is Your Spine?
The Vertebrae
Intervertebral Discs
The Spinal Nerves

Chapter Three: Treating Sciatica the Traditional Way
Pain Pills
Muscle Relaxants
Chronic Opioid Therapy
Bed Rest
Physiotherapy
Corsets / Braces
Traction
TENS
Trigger Point Injections
Ultrasound
Hot and Cold Packs

Chapter Four: Treating Sciatica with Non-traditional Methods
The Mind Body Connection
The Placebo Effect
Therapeutic Massage
Chinese Massage
The Relaxation Response Technique
Biofeedback
Hydrotherapy
Hot and Cold Compresses
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Reflexology
Reflexology for Sciatica
Chiropractic
Manipulation
The Role of the Medical Doctor
So Will Manipulation Help Your Sciatica?
Yoga
Hypnosis
Homeopathy
Osteopathy
Osteopathy and Sciatica
Orthopaedic Physicians
Supplements and Sciatica
Vitamins and Minerals
Valerian Root
Devil’s Claw
Chamomile
Bromelain
Diet and Sciatica
Intestinal Gas and Digestive Problems
Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables
Bad-Back Juice Fast

Chapter Five: Treating Sciatica with Surgery
Decompression Surgery
The Microdiscotomy
Spinal Fusion
Fusion Surgery
Chymopapain Injections
Chymopapain and Sciatica
How Chymopapain Works
The Procedure
Side Effects

Chapter Six: Self Help Therapy
Pain Pills
Heat and Cold
Rest Your Back
Alternative Approaches
Those First Few Exercises
Walking
Swimming
Bicycling
Stress Relief

Chapter Seven: Yes, Exercise DOES Help
Warm Up Before Exercising
Exercise During and After an Attack
Stretching It Out
Back Strengthening Exercises

Chapter Eight: Sitting, Standing, Bending Tips
Poor Sitting Habits
Crossing Your Legs
Stressful Sitting
Sitting In The Same Place Too Long
Slumped Over Sitting
Good Sitting Habits
Lumbar Supports
Poor Standing Habits
The Leaning Crane Stand
The Slump Stand
Lifting and Bending

Chapter Nine: Sciatica in the Workplace
Your Work Station
Your Chair
Your Screen Height
Your Screen Distance
Your Keyboard Placement
Workplace Lighting
Try a Mini-Break
Heavy Labor Work Situations

Chapter Ten: Travel, Sleep, and Chores
Travel Tips
Packing Up, Getting Started
Sleeping With A Hurting Back
Pre-bed Prepping
Time for Bed
Household and Yard Work
Gardening
Raking Leaves
Painting
Mowing the Lawn
Shoveling Snow
Vacuuming
Laundry
Dishes
Making the Bed
Pregnancy and Sciatica

Chapter Eleven: Intimacy With a Hurting Back
A Backache Kind of Lover
Getting Back in the Saddle Again

Appendixes and Index

Appendix I: Questions About Your Sciatica

Appendix II: Information Sources for Back Pain

Appendix III: Exercise and Aerobic Charts for Your Recordkeeping

Index