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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.
On the initial visit the chiropractor will ask if 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. Other important question would entail if the pain is worse upon arising in the morning and if any activities or body positions increase or decrease the amount of pain. The doctor will also inquire about other self-treatment or professional treatment that the patient has already tried.
Lower extremity muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes are assessed by conducting a physical examination. Muscle weakness is likely to worsen when the patient walks on the toes or heels or rises from a squat position. If a patient's complaints are severe or ongoing, a doctor may order imaging tests to detect the presence of a herniated disk or bone spur. X-rays of the spine may reveal a bone spur while an MRI may reveal a herniated disk.
Anti-inflammatories, narcotics, and muscle relaxants may be prescribed to treat sciatic pain. Some doctors prescribe tricyclic antidepressant or anti-seizure medications for the pain. A corticosteroid medication injected around the root of the involved nerve is sometimes prescribed to temporarily suppress the inflammation around this nerve. Steroid injection treatment should be prescribed only on a limited basis because risk of severe side effects increases with 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 treatment can help up to 95 percent of patients. In fact, patients who are treated by a chiropractor first are less likely to undergo surgery than those who first visit a surgeon are. A 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 surgery. Only 1.5 percent of patients 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.
On the initial visit the chiropractor will ask if 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. Other important question would entail if the pain is worse upon arising in the morning and if any activities or body positions increase or decrease the amount of pain. The doctor will also inquire about other self-treatment or professional treatment that the patient has already tried.
Lower extremity muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes are assessed by conducting a physical examination. Muscle weakness is likely to worsen when the patient walks on the toes or heels or rises from a squat position. If a patient's complaints are severe or ongoing, a doctor may order imaging tests to detect the presence of a herniated disk or bone spur. X-rays of the spine may reveal a bone spur while an MRI may reveal a herniated disk.
Anti-inflammatories, narcotics, and muscle relaxants may be prescribed to treat sciatic pain. Some doctors prescribe tricyclic antidepressant or anti-seizure medications for the pain. A corticosteroid medication injected around the root of the involved nerve is sometimes prescribed to temporarily suppress the inflammation around this nerve. Steroid injection treatment should be prescribed only on a limited basis because risk of severe side effects increases with 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 treatment can help up to 95 percent of patients. In fact, patients who are treated by a chiropractor first are less likely to undergo surgery than those who first visit a surgeon are. A 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 surgery. Only 1.5 percent of patients 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 regarding a Pittsburgh North chiropractor? Get more information about this chiropractor Pittsburgh North.
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