Sciatica is a term that is used to describe a type of pain that originates from the back and radiates to the lower limbs. More specifically, it is experienced along the path of the sciatic nerve. It characteristically affects just one side of the body. There are a number of things relating to sciatica treatment Marina Del Rey residents need to know if they are struggling with the condition.
This condition has many different causes. Generally, any condition that exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve is a possible cause of this pattern of symptoms. Examples include, a bone spur within the spine, a narrowed spinal canal and a herniated disc among others. Treating these conditions will, in most cases, eliminate the symptoms. CT scans, X-rays and MRI images are an important part of investigating these causes.
The available treatment options for this condition are broadly classified into two major categories; non-invasive and invasive (surgery). The common practice is to initiate treatment with the conservative options. Within the home setting, there are a number of things that can be done. These include engaging in stretching exercises, using hot and cold compressions and taking over the counter painkillers. Remaining as active as possible is also important.
Physiotherapy is another useful form of conservative management. It comprises a set of suitable stretching exercises that are offered over several weeks to months. The exercises may be active (you perform them yourself) or passive (someone else performs them by flexing specific parts of your body). Periodic assessment is done to determine whether your back muscles are gaining strength. Another important aspect of this treatment is being taught how to improve posture and reduce strain on the back.
Some specialists recommend the injection of strong analgesic agents directly into the spine. The drugs that may be used for this include corticosteroids (mainly anti-inflammatory agents) and local anesthetic drugs. This approach has a huge advantage in that it delivers the drug directly to the affected area and reduces the associated inflammation at a faster rate. Other alternative oral drugs used in providing relief include anticonvulsants and antidepressants.
A number of alternative medicine therapies have been tried with varying success rates. Acupuncture and biofeedback are among those that are widely practiced for this condition. In biofeedback, the patient is taught to consciously control some of their physiological functions part of which is muscle tone. By so doing, they can relieve the impingement on the sciatic nerve. In acupuncture, multiple fine needles are inserted in specific areas of the body to relieve pain.
Surgery is usually considered as a last resort. It should be offered to persons who have worsening symptoms in spite of receiving the other forms of treatment. There are a number of different operations that can be performed depending on the underlying condition. These are usually named based on the part of the spine that is removed. For instance, corpectomy is the removal of a vertebral body (or corpus) and laminectomy is the removal of the lamina.
Sciatica is estimated to affect at least 4 in 10 people in their lifetime. A good number of these cases resolve within a couple of days or weeks even without treatment. For those that require some form of intervention, simple remedies such as over the counter analgesics, physiotherapy, hot and cold compression treatments are often adequate. Consult a specialist if the symptoms continue to progress.
This condition has many different causes. Generally, any condition that exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve is a possible cause of this pattern of symptoms. Examples include, a bone spur within the spine, a narrowed spinal canal and a herniated disc among others. Treating these conditions will, in most cases, eliminate the symptoms. CT scans, X-rays and MRI images are an important part of investigating these causes.
The available treatment options for this condition are broadly classified into two major categories; non-invasive and invasive (surgery). The common practice is to initiate treatment with the conservative options. Within the home setting, there are a number of things that can be done. These include engaging in stretching exercises, using hot and cold compressions and taking over the counter painkillers. Remaining as active as possible is also important.
Physiotherapy is another useful form of conservative management. It comprises a set of suitable stretching exercises that are offered over several weeks to months. The exercises may be active (you perform them yourself) or passive (someone else performs them by flexing specific parts of your body). Periodic assessment is done to determine whether your back muscles are gaining strength. Another important aspect of this treatment is being taught how to improve posture and reduce strain on the back.
Some specialists recommend the injection of strong analgesic agents directly into the spine. The drugs that may be used for this include corticosteroids (mainly anti-inflammatory agents) and local anesthetic drugs. This approach has a huge advantage in that it delivers the drug directly to the affected area and reduces the associated inflammation at a faster rate. Other alternative oral drugs used in providing relief include anticonvulsants and antidepressants.
A number of alternative medicine therapies have been tried with varying success rates. Acupuncture and biofeedback are among those that are widely practiced for this condition. In biofeedback, the patient is taught to consciously control some of their physiological functions part of which is muscle tone. By so doing, they can relieve the impingement on the sciatic nerve. In acupuncture, multiple fine needles are inserted in specific areas of the body to relieve pain.
Surgery is usually considered as a last resort. It should be offered to persons who have worsening symptoms in spite of receiving the other forms of treatment. There are a number of different operations that can be performed depending on the underlying condition. These are usually named based on the part of the spine that is removed. For instance, corpectomy is the removal of a vertebral body (or corpus) and laminectomy is the removal of the lamina.
Sciatica is estimated to affect at least 4 in 10 people in their lifetime. A good number of these cases resolve within a couple of days or weeks even without treatment. For those that require some form of intervention, simple remedies such as over the counter analgesics, physiotherapy, hot and cold compression treatments are often adequate. Consult a specialist if the symptoms continue to progress.
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