What is Sciatic?
Sciatica is a condition that give rise to pain, tingling, or numbness due to an irritation of the nerve roots. This leads to sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by nerve roots emerging out of the spinal cord towards lower back. These nerve roots travel down through the buttock. The branches extend down towards the back part of the leg and move to ankle and foot.
Causes of Sciatica
A ruptured or bulging disc (herniated disc) is the most common cause of sciatica. This spinal disc presses against the nerve roots leading to the sciatic nerve.
Sometimes sciatica can also be a symptom of other conditions affecting spine, such as bone spurs caused by arthritis, spinal canal narrowing, nerve root compression etc.
Sciatica may also be caused due to non-spinal conditions such as pregnancy or tumours. This occurs in rare cases.
Signs and Symptoms
The major symptom of sciatica is pain. It starts in the back or buttock and gradually travels down the leg. Sometimes, it may also move into foot. Other symptoms for the condition include weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg may also occur.
Patients may experience severe pain while sitting, standing for a long time. Movements leading to flexing of the spine can make symptoms worse. Light movements such as walking and lying down will relieve symptoms by extending the spine may relieve symptoms.
Diagnosis
Sciatica is usually diagnosed by a specialist through thorough assessment of medical history. A detailed physical exam is also done to understand the level of severity. Doctors will also suggest X-rays and a variety of other tests including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to discover the root cause of the sciatica.
The Treatment for Sciatic Nerve Pain
In most cases, sciatica improves and go away with time. Hence, initial treatment options mainly emphasises on medications and certain exercises to help relieve pain. It is possible to relieve pain by the following treatment methods:
Other treatment options depends completely on the precise cause of nerve irritation. In the event your symptoms do not improve with time and the above mentioned tips, speak to your doctor. The health expert will suggest you a combination of physical therapy, medications, injections etc. Depending on your condition, the doctor will also suggest steroids, muscles relaxants and opiates. Surgery may also come as the last option for severe cases.
This article is particularly written for Sciatic Nerve Pain. If you want to treat Sciatic Nerve Pain so visit here : www.spinecentermiami.com/specialties/
Sciatica is a condition that give rise to pain, tingling, or numbness due to an irritation of the nerve roots. This leads to sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by nerve roots emerging out of the spinal cord towards lower back. These nerve roots travel down through the buttock. The branches extend down towards the back part of the leg and move to ankle and foot.
Causes of Sciatica
A ruptured or bulging disc (herniated disc) is the most common cause of sciatica. This spinal disc presses against the nerve roots leading to the sciatic nerve.
Sometimes sciatica can also be a symptom of other conditions affecting spine, such as bone spurs caused by arthritis, spinal canal narrowing, nerve root compression etc.
Sciatica may also be caused due to non-spinal conditions such as pregnancy or tumours. This occurs in rare cases.
Signs and Symptoms
The major symptom of sciatica is pain. It starts in the back or buttock and gradually travels down the leg. Sometimes, it may also move into foot. Other symptoms for the condition include weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg may also occur.
Patients may experience severe pain while sitting, standing for a long time. Movements leading to flexing of the spine can make symptoms worse. Light movements such as walking and lying down will relieve symptoms by extending the spine may relieve symptoms.
Diagnosis
Sciatica is usually diagnosed by a specialist through thorough assessment of medical history. A detailed physical exam is also done to understand the level of severity. Doctors will also suggest X-rays and a variety of other tests including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to discover the root cause of the sciatica.
The Treatment for Sciatic Nerve Pain
In most cases, sciatica improves and go away with time. Hence, initial treatment options mainly emphasises on medications and certain exercises to help relieve pain. It is possible to relieve pain by the following treatment methods:
- Avoiding sitting for a long time
- Alternating lying down with short walks
- Gradually increase walking distance
- Medications such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Use of a heating pad every 2-3 hours
- A warm shower
- Ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
Other treatment options depends completely on the precise cause of nerve irritation. In the event your symptoms do not improve with time and the above mentioned tips, speak to your doctor. The health expert will suggest you a combination of physical therapy, medications, injections etc. Depending on your condition, the doctor will also suggest steroids, muscles relaxants and opiates. Surgery may also come as the last option for severe cases.
This article is particularly written for Sciatic Nerve Pain. If you want to treat Sciatic Nerve Pain so visit here : www.spinecentermiami.com/specialties/
