Many people suffer and experience pain radiating from the lower spine into the buttocks and down the back of one leg which is called sciatica. Discomfort may be felt anywhere along the path of the sciatic nerve but is most likely to appear in the aforementioned areas. Pain can range from mild aching, to throbbing to a burning that can only be described as excruciating. Though many patients are treated by traditional medicine, some continue to experience discomfort, causing them to seek alternative care.
This medical condition is created when the sciatic nerve is pinched. An overgrowth of bone on the vertebrae, called a bone spur, or a herniated disk in the spine are usually to blame. In rare cases, a tumor may compress the nerve or a disease such as diabetes may damage it. Therefore, it is important to take sciatic nerve pain seriously and consult a professional if it persists or reoccurs frequently. Age, obesity, and lifestyle can increase risk of developing this condition.
Sciatic nerve pain sometimes feels like an electric sharp jolt and may worsen if the sufferer sneezes or coughs without bracing their body. People who have to sit for prolonged periods can aggravate symptoms. Sciatica usually affects only one side of the body. The symptoms of this condition can vary and some people experience muscle weakness or a sensation of tingling or numbness in the affected foot or leg. In addition, while pain may be experienced in one part of the leg, another part may feel numb. Cold treatments and a period of decreased activity may relieve mild forms of this condition but if pain worsens or lasts for longer than one week, professional attention is recommended.
Traditional medical treatment involves prescription drugs including anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and some types of pain killers. Steroid injections are sometimes administered to suppress inflammation around the affected nerve root. Rarely, the most severe cases may be subjected to surgery to remove a portion of a herniated disk or extract a bone spur. These treatments have complicated side effects ranging from mild to severe.
Physical therapy is often recommended once acute pain improves. Rehabilitation programs include exercises that improve flexibility, strengthen muscles that support the back, and correct posture. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy involving the insertion of very thin needles into the skin at specific locations on the body. Some studies have indicated that acupuncture may help to relieve back pain while others have not revealed any benefits.
Spinal manipulation is an alternative therapy used to treat sciatic nerve pain that is administered by a chiropractor. In the United States chiropractors undergo extensive education and training in the efforts to help patients with sciatic nerve pain. Scientific research published in the October 2010 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, showed 60 percent of patients with sciatica who failed medical management received the same degree of benefits from spinal manipulation as if they had undergone surgical intervention.
When traditional treatments for sciatica fail, patients are encouraged to explore chiropractic treatment before committing to surgery. Chiropractic care is a safe, non-invasive treatment that is cost-effective. According to scientific research, chiropractic treatment helps as many as 90 percent of patients with sciatica. These individuals may get the same level of relief that surgery provides without the complications of side effects.
This medical condition is created when the sciatic nerve is pinched. An overgrowth of bone on the vertebrae, called a bone spur, or a herniated disk in the spine are usually to blame. In rare cases, a tumor may compress the nerve or a disease such as diabetes may damage it. Therefore, it is important to take sciatic nerve pain seriously and consult a professional if it persists or reoccurs frequently. Age, obesity, and lifestyle can increase risk of developing this condition.
Sciatic nerve pain sometimes feels like an electric sharp jolt and may worsen if the sufferer sneezes or coughs without bracing their body. People who have to sit for prolonged periods can aggravate symptoms. Sciatica usually affects only one side of the body. The symptoms of this condition can vary and some people experience muscle weakness or a sensation of tingling or numbness in the affected foot or leg. In addition, while pain may be experienced in one part of the leg, another part may feel numb. Cold treatments and a period of decreased activity may relieve mild forms of this condition but if pain worsens or lasts for longer than one week, professional attention is recommended.
Traditional medical treatment involves prescription drugs including anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and some types of pain killers. Steroid injections are sometimes administered to suppress inflammation around the affected nerve root. Rarely, the most severe cases may be subjected to surgery to remove a portion of a herniated disk or extract a bone spur. These treatments have complicated side effects ranging from mild to severe.
Physical therapy is often recommended once acute pain improves. Rehabilitation programs include exercises that improve flexibility, strengthen muscles that support the back, and correct posture. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy involving the insertion of very thin needles into the skin at specific locations on the body. Some studies have indicated that acupuncture may help to relieve back pain while others have not revealed any benefits.
Spinal manipulation is an alternative therapy used to treat sciatic nerve pain that is administered by a chiropractor. In the United States chiropractors undergo extensive education and training in the efforts to help patients with sciatic nerve pain. Scientific research published in the October 2010 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, showed 60 percent of patients with sciatica who failed medical management received the same degree of benefits from spinal manipulation as if they had undergone surgical intervention.
When traditional treatments for sciatica fail, patients are encouraged to explore chiropractic treatment before committing to surgery. Chiropractic care is a safe, non-invasive treatment that is cost-effective. According to scientific research, chiropractic treatment helps as many as 90 percent of patients with sciatica. These individuals may get the same level of relief that surgery provides without the complications of side effects.
About the Author:
Linda Shayna Eschmeyer 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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