Severe Back Pain on Right Side – What is Causing It?

The majority of severe lower back pain, whether it is on the right or left side of the back, is caused by problems with the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, begins in the lower part of the spinal cord proceeds downward through the butt, and down the back of the legs to the feet.

Severe lower back pain is referred to as sciatica because it is generally caused by pressure being placed on the sciatic nerve. If the pressure is excessive enough, the pain can be so severe it can become debilitating. The pain can be on either side of the back and can also be centered in the low back, and is common for the pain to continue down the back of the legs.

Sciatica, is the term used to describe lower back pain due to problems with the sciatic nerve, and the most common problems with the nerve are, Piriformis muscle damage, and damaged discs in the lower part of the spinal column. The Piriformis muscle is the muscle that attaches the thigh bone to the lower back, the sciatic nerve is located under this muscle as it runs from the lower back to the feet, when the muscle becomes inflamed and swells, it places pressure on the nerve, this is what is causing the pain.

When suffering from sciatica, many will try to stand, sit, or lay in different position to try to ease the pain. Those that have suffer from sciatic know that there are positions that make it bearable however, they do not eliminate the pain. Many also believe laying on a heating pad will help with the pain and it does until you remove the heat. The heat will deaden pain receptors, once the heat is removed the receptors begin sending signals to brain, and the pain returns, worse than before the heat was applied, this is because heat causes inflammation to worsen if it present.

Taking short walks when sciatica is being caused by problems with discs in the lower back, can be more beneficial than sitting. Sitting positions compress the spine which will place more pressure on the sciatic nerve causing more pain. Inflammation and swelling of the sciatic nerve will occur with both. Condition, damaged discs in the lower back, as well as a damaged Piriformis muscle. The pain from both conditions can be severe as well as debilitating, in addition, the pain will get worse as the inflammation and swell increase.

There are things you can do to get relief from lower back pain that you can do in your own home that will not only rid you of sciatca but, will also keep it from returning. Click here to see some of the things that worked for me