(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Patricia Duplechin, resident activity director at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Ville Platte. This column runs every Sunday in The Gazette.)
Imaging studies are usually needed to diagnose the cause of sciatic nerve pain. An MRI of the lumbar spine will show many causes of lower back pain and sciatica, including disc herniations, facet arthritis, and lumbar spine stenosis. Digital x-rays and CT scans may also be used to diagnose the cause of sciatica.
Sciatic nerve pain can flare up due to carrying extra weight and bad posture. It is a medical condition where an individual feels pain radiating from the sciatic nerve. This nerve begins in the lumbar spine (lower back) and runs down to the legs. This nerve is the longest nerve in the human body and the pain is usually caused by a pinched nerve, a herniated or degenerative spinal disc, spinal stenosis, or another injury or infection.
Although the pain may be severe, sciatica can most often be relieved through physical therapy, chiropractic and massage treatments, improvements in strength and flexibility, and the application of heat and ice packs.
The staff of Heritage Manor wishes a Happy Birthday this week to Stella Byrd, Esther Gallow, and Eva Ortego.
The staff of Heritage Manor sends get well wishes to all of our loved ones in the hospital.
The staff of Heritage Manor welcomes Constance Fontenot to the facility.
Activities this week include pokeno, in-room visits, bingo sponsored by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, manicures, exercise, beauty shop, snack wagon, mass, and bedside rosary.
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