Sciatica is a pain condition originating from the sciatic nerve. The Sciatic nerve is a large nerve extending from the lower back into the back of each leg. Depending on the pressure, the pain may stay in the lower back region and buttocks or it may radiate down the legs.
Some causes of Sciatica are slipped disk, pelvic injury or fracture, Piriformis syndrome (a disorder involving the narrow muscle in the buttocks),tumors, pregnancy, spondylolisthesis, and lumbar spinal stenosis.
The symptoms of Sciatica vary in people. Some feel mild tingling, burning sensation, and dull pain, others may have the inability to move from place to place. The pain's severity depends on the extent of the nerve's injury.
Usually we see following symptoms in overall patients:
1) Sharp pain in one part, commonly the lower back, back of the leg, pain in hip and may radiate to the foot or toes.
2) Weakness, numbness, burning sensation down the leg.
3) Sometimes it becomes difficult to move the leg.
4) Extreme cases show loss of bladder or bowel control.
The pain worsens in following body movements:
1) Standing or sitting.
2) Sneezing, coughing or laughing.
3) Sleeping.
4) Bending backwards.
5) Walking.
6) Repetitive movement (especially in the lower extremities)
Sciatica usually affects one side of the lower body. The pain can be infrequent and irritating or severe and debilitating.
Remedies for Sciatica:
Sciatica has several underlying causes, therefore it is necessary to find the cause before you can find an effective way of treatment. In some causes of Sciatica (like stress), the treatment is as simple as rest and meditation. Treatment of Sciatica is usually divided into several categories including home remedies, medicinal treatment, physiotherapy, and surgery in worst cases.
Home remedies:
1) Apply ice and/or heat to the affected area. Ice is used first in 30-45 minute intervals and rotating heat afterwards. Ice is better used in the form of ice packs if available, to protect the skin. Also heating bags are available at your local drug store.
2) Rest for couple of days.
3) Avoid activities like lifting heavy items and twisting your back. This should be followed for 6 weeks after the onset of pain.
4) Start light exercise after 2-3 weeks.
5) Light stretching exercises everyday.
Medicinal treatment:
If home remedies do not work than medicinal treatment is an option (including but not limited to)
1) Over the counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and aspirin and Naproxen.
2) Doctor prescribed muscle relaxants
3) Antidepressants also prescribed in severe conditions.
4) Steroids are injected in the space around spinal nerve.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an excellent option for relief of sciatica. It provides proper conditioning and treatment to the affected areas. Physiotherapist -- a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and/or properly educated fitness trainers can help. This therapy varies depending on the medical condition. Therefore proper direction is necessary.
Surgery:
When Sciatica pain cannot be relieved by the above measures than surgery is recommended, but only when all other options have failed.
There are two types of surgery which are implemented depending on the case.
1) Microdiscectomy - Small open surgery.-
It is performed when there is disc herniation. A small portion of the disc is removed and statics show that 90-95% patients receive relief by this surgery.
2) Lumbar laminectomy - An open Decompression.-
This is used for the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.This surgery consists of removing a small portion of the bone or disc that is impacting the sciatic nerve.
Pain associated with the nervous system are easily misdiagnosed. If the pain is ongoing and/or extreme, set an appointment to consult with a neurologist or pain specialist as soon as possible.
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