Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bones called vertebrae. In between them are soft disks filled with a jelly-like substance. These disks cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. As you age, the disks break down or degenerate. As they do, they lose their cushioning ability. This can lead to pain if the back is stressed.

A herniated disk is a disk that ruptures. This allows the jelly-like center of the disk to leak, irritating the nearby nerves. This can cause sciatica or back pain.

Your doctor will diagnose a herniated disk with a physical exam and, sometimes, imaging tests. With treatment, most people recover. Treatments include rest, pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Sciatica pain can be very debilitating. Flare-ups can cause excruciating pain that interferes with a good quality of life. When experiencing sciatica pain, following these steps can help provide alleviation:

• Lifestyle modifications.
• Muscle release.
• Physical activity/exercise.
• Low level heat.
• Stretch.