The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that begins in the lower back and runs past the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica is a condition that may result when a spinal bone spur or herniated disk compresses a portion of the nerve. Sciatic nerve irritation is characterized by pain, inflammation, and numbness in the leg and typically affects only one side of the body. Pain can be quite excrutiating and cause many sufferers to seek treatment from a professional. There are a number of treatments available for this condition and they vary in level of invasiveness.
Questions asked by a physician rendering diagnosis include whether the patient is experiencing weakness or numbness in the legs, whether the lifestyle includes regular exercise or heavy physical work, and whether related pain is limiting ability to function. Another important question is whether any activities or body positions increase or decrease the amount of pain. The doctor will also inquire about the effectiveness of any treatments that the patient has already tried.
Muscle strength and body reflexes are assessed by conducting a physical examination. Pain is likely to worsen when the patient walks on the toes or heels or rises from the squat position. If a patient complains of severe or ongoing pain, a doctor may order imaging tests to detect the presence of a bone spur or herniated disk. A spinal X-ray may reveal a bone spur while a herniated disk is revealed by an MRI. A computerized topography, or CT, scan may involve the injection of dye into the spinal canal to make the spinal nerves and spinal cord more distinguishable on an X-ray.
Anti-inflammatories, narcotics, and muscle relaxants are commonly prescribed by medical doctors to treat sciatic pain. A corticosteroid medication injected around the root of the involved nerve is sometimes administered to suppress the inflammation around the nerve. Steroid injection treatment is typically prescribed on a limited basis because the risk of severe side effects increases with the injection frequency.
Sciatica often positively responds to self-treatment. Patients should avoid pain triggers while remaining active and using cold, then hot packs and non-prescription medication, as needed. If a patient experiences significant weakness, incontinence, or pain that gets progressively worse or fails to improve following other treatment, surgery may be recommended. A surgeon will remove the bone spur or part of the herniated disk that is pinching the sciatic nerve.
Research indicates that chiropractic care can help up to 95 percent of patients improve. In fact, patients that are treated first by a chiropractor are less likely to undergo surgery than those who initially visit a surgeon. A scientific study published in the December 2012 issue of Spine revealed that 42.7 percent of workers suffering from back injuries who first visited a surgeon eventually had back surgery. Only 1.5 percent of patients suffering from sciatica who initially visited a chiropractor underwent surgery.
Many cases of sciatica resolve after a period of chiropractic treatment. Some medical doctors recommend surgery should be performed in only one percent of sciatica cases. Patients have conservative alternatives to surgery that should be explored with their medical specialists including chiropractic care.
Questions asked by a physician rendering diagnosis include whether the patient is experiencing weakness or numbness in the legs, whether the lifestyle includes regular exercise or heavy physical work, and whether related pain is limiting ability to function. Another important question is whether any activities or body positions increase or decrease the amount of pain. The doctor will also inquire about the effectiveness of any treatments that the patient has already tried.
Muscle strength and body reflexes are assessed by conducting a physical examination. Pain is likely to worsen when the patient walks on the toes or heels or rises from the squat position. If a patient complains of severe or ongoing pain, a doctor may order imaging tests to detect the presence of a bone spur or herniated disk. A spinal X-ray may reveal a bone spur while a herniated disk is revealed by an MRI. A computerized topography, or CT, scan may involve the injection of dye into the spinal canal to make the spinal nerves and spinal cord more distinguishable on an X-ray.
Anti-inflammatories, narcotics, and muscle relaxants are commonly prescribed by medical doctors to treat sciatic pain. A corticosteroid medication injected around the root of the involved nerve is sometimes administered to suppress the inflammation around the nerve. Steroid injection treatment is typically prescribed on a limited basis because the risk of severe side effects increases with the injection frequency.
Sciatica often positively responds to self-treatment. Patients should avoid pain triggers while remaining active and using cold, then hot packs and non-prescription medication, as needed. If a patient experiences significant weakness, incontinence, or pain that gets progressively worse or fails to improve following other treatment, surgery may be recommended. A surgeon will remove the bone spur or part of the herniated disk that is pinching the sciatic nerve.
Research indicates that chiropractic care can help up to 95 percent of patients improve. In fact, patients that are treated first by a chiropractor are less likely to undergo surgery than those who initially visit a surgeon. A scientific study published in the December 2012 issue of Spine revealed that 42.7 percent of workers suffering from back injuries who first visited a surgeon eventually had back surgery. Only 1.5 percent of patients suffering from sciatica who initially visited a chiropractor underwent surgery.
Many cases of sciatica resolve after a period of chiropractic treatment. Some medical doctors recommend surgery should be performed in only one percent of sciatica cases. Patients have conservative alternatives to surgery that should be explored with their medical specialists including chiropractic care.
About the Author:
Ruth Bobbi Kevan is an author writing about how you can be healthy. Would you like more information about Pittsburgh North chiropractic? More information can be found about Pittsburgh North chiropractic at this website http://twitter.com/DrJSchofield.
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