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| sciatica treatment |
Sciatica is a clinical diagnosis that refers to an inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve is a nerve that covers any movements to the leg and sends information about sensations back to the brain. Sciatic nerve is the largest peripheral nerve in our body. It consists of lumbar and sacral nerve roots from the spine, exits the lower part of the lumbosacral area, passes behind the hip and runs down the back of the thigh.
Causes of sciatica
- Spinal disc herniation. It is a rupture of normal cushion of the spine vertebrae. It causes compression to the nerve and the manifestations are: pain, weakness, and numbness.
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Piriformis syndrome.
Sciatica symptoms
- Burning sensation of the thigh
- Shooting pains from the buttock, down the leg
- Cramping sensation of the thigh
- Tingling sensation in the thighs and legs
- Pins and needles sensation
- Symptoms can be worse by coughing or squatting because there is an increased intraabdominal pressure that increases pressure around the nerve.
Sciatica treatment
- Reduce your activities, take more rest.
- Analgetic and antiinflammatory drugs, such as:
- Motrin
- Celebrex
- Muscle relaxant drugs
- Corticosteroid, such as: Medrol Dose-Pak. There is also epidural steroid injection that can deliver antiinflammatory medication directly to the sick area.
- Physical therapy and exercises
- Supporting therapy, such as ice packs. It can soothe the muscles
- Alternative medicine:
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
- Massage
- Hypnosis
- If the problems persist up to 3 months, you may need a surgery procedure to remove the ruptured disc.
