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.
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.
One option used to treat sciatic pain is to try medication. A corticosteroid medication injected around the root of the nerve involved is sometimes administered to temporarily suppress the inflammation around this nerve. Steroid injection treatment should be prescribed if more conservative measures don't work and 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.
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.
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.
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.
One option used to treat sciatic pain is to try medication. A corticosteroid medication injected around the root of the nerve involved is sometimes administered to temporarily suppress the inflammation around this nerve. Steroid injection treatment should be prescribed if more conservative measures don't work and 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.
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 chiropractor Pittsburgh? Get more information about chiropractic Pittsburgh.
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