The sciatic nerve originates from the lower back and extends past the hips and buttocks and down the legs. Sciatic nerve pain, sometimes called sciatica, may result when a tissue like a disk or bone spur compresses part of this nerve. This condition is characterized by varying types of pain, numbness in the leg, inflammation and typically affects one side of the body. Pain can be severe and disabling, causing many sufferers to seek professional health care advice. Treatments options are available for this condition. Many people prefer to see a Doctor of Chiropractic for sciatica.
Questions asked by a health care specialist include determining if the patient is experiencing weakness or numbness in the legs, whether related pain is limiting ability to function and whether the lifestyle includes regular exercise or heavy physical work. Another significant question is whether any activities, times of day, or body positions increase or decrease the amount of pain. The doctor will also note the effectiveness of any previous treatments 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 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, on occasion, may positively respond to self-treatment. Patients should avoid pain aggravation by not being sedentary and remaining mildly active and using cold packs, as needed. If a patient experiences significant muscle weakness, incontinence of bladder or bowels, 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 irritating the sciatic nerve.
Recent research indicates that treatment by a chiropractor can help up to 95 percent of patients. In fact, patients who are treated by chiropractic first are less likely to undergo surgery than those who first visit a surgeon. A study published in Spine, December 2012 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 doctor of chiropractic underwent surgery.
Many cases of sciatica resolve after a period of alternative medical treatment. Some insurance companies and many doctors do not usually recommend surgery unless a patient has tried conservative alternative medical treatment. Patients have options beyond surgery that should be explored with their doctors and specialists including chiropractic care.
Questions asked by a health care specialist include determining if the patient is experiencing weakness or numbness in the legs, whether related pain is limiting ability to function and whether the lifestyle includes regular exercise or heavy physical work. Another significant question is whether any activities, times of day, or body positions increase or decrease the amount of pain. The doctor will also note the effectiveness of any previous treatments 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 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, on occasion, may positively respond to self-treatment. Patients should avoid pain aggravation by not being sedentary and remaining mildly active and using cold packs, as needed. If a patient experiences significant muscle weakness, incontinence of bladder or bowels, 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 irritating the sciatic nerve.
Recent research indicates that treatment by a chiropractor can help up to 95 percent of patients. In fact, patients who are treated by chiropractic first are less likely to undergo surgery than those who first visit a surgeon. A study published in Spine, December 2012 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 doctor of chiropractic underwent surgery.
Many cases of sciatica resolve after a period of alternative medical treatment. Some insurance companies and many doctors do not usually recommend surgery unless a patient has tried conservative alternative medical treatment. Patients have options beyond surgery that should be explored with their doctors and specialists including chiropractic care.
About the Author:
Ruth Bobbi Kevan is an author writing about healthy living. Would you like to know more about a Pittsburgh chiropractor? Get more information about Pittsburgh chiropractic.
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