Dear NP,
Recently, I was identified with sciatica. What is the cause? I’ve tried a variety of medicines without relief. What other options are there to treat me? Can physical therapy aid in treatment?
Dear Reader,
Sciatica is typically caused by an growth in bone (bone spurs) in the lower back places pressure on the nerve. It is sometimes referred to as”pinched nerve. “pinched nerve.”
The result is the pain and inflammation can be felt across to the bottom back through the buttocks, hips and across the lower leg. The discomfort can range from a slight discomfort to burning or sharp. It could feel as it’s an electric shock.
Most of the time, you’ll experience sciatica discomfort only on the one side. There are times when you might feel an numbness or tingling sensation on the side.
While the pain and discomfort of sciatica is often extreme, there are treatment options readily available. It is recommended to seek medical attention when you experience an acute or sudden back pain, numbness or weakness in the leg, or pain following an injury such as an automobile accident, or problems controlling your bladder or bowels.
Certain people are at risk of sciatica. As we age, the changes to the spine like herniated discs as well as bone spurs are the most frequent causes of sciatica. Being overweight puts stress on the spine.
Work that involves the lifting, twisting or driving for extended periods of time can trigger sciatica. If you are a frequent sitter then you’ll be more susceptible to sciatica than someone who is active. Diabetes increases the likelihood of nerve injury that could cause sciatica.
You can take steps to safeguard your back and help prevent sciatica. It is important to exercise regularly to ensure your back and core muscles strong, keeping an upright posture while sitting, and using correct technique when lifting.
There are other treatments available for sciatica that isn’t improving with self-care measures. The medications employed to treat sciatica comprise corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory medications. These medicines help to reduce inflammation.
Certain antidepressants and antiseizure drugs help relieve pain by changing the way neurons transmit the pain. Opioid medication is reserved for extreme pain episodes.
Physical therapy is a method in the treatment of sciatica and to prevent further injuries. Training exercises are provided to correct posture, build the core, and increase the flexibility of the body. It could take anywhere from four to six weeks or more for you to see improvements by undergoing physical therapy.
For more serious cases of sciatica the doctor might suggest referral to an expert. The injection of corticosteroid medicine around the nerve that causes discomfort could be helpful. You could get up to three injections per year.
Then, surgery might be an alternative. It is typically the final treatment option, however it is a possibility to eliminate bone spurs or portions of a herniated disk that create pressure on the nerves. The majority of times, surgery is required when sciatica results in extreme weakness, or bowel or bladder control issues or pain that isn’t getting better by other treatment options.
Alternative treatments utilized to cure sciatica include Acupuncture and chiropractic. In acupuncture, small needles are inserted into certain points to ease discomfort. Chiropractors perform spinal adjustments to improve the movement of the spine and ease the pain.
If you think you’re suffering from sciatica and you aren’t seeing improvement through conservative treatments, consult to your physician about alternative treatments options.
Dr. Wesley Davis is an Emergency Nurse Practitioner at the Crook County Medical Services District and is the coordinator of the Emergency and Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of South Alabama. Dr. Davis encourages readers to submit your questions to [email protectedat [email protected]
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