How to Prevent and Treat Sciatica
The sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body, begins at the lower back and runs down the back of both legs. Responsible for providing sensation to the skin and muscles of the legs, pain in the sciatic nerve can be debilitating. Though it usually only occurs on one side of the body at a given time, sciatica, or pressure on the sciatic nerve will cause radiating pain along the tissue and muscle groups this nerve reaches. For patients who may be experiencing sciatic nerve pain, consult with a top spinal surgeon for relief. Read on to learn more about what causes sciatica.
Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica is usually caused by either a bone spur (extra growth of a normal bone) or a herniated disk that presses on the sciatic nerve, causing pain that spreads down the back of the affected leg. Less common causes include compression of the nerve by a tumor, or damage to the nerve due to diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of nerve damage throughout the body, but can particularly affect the sciatic nerve. Other risk factors for sciatica include aging, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle or occupation that involves remaining seated for extended periods of time.
Usually self-diagnosable, people experiencing sciatica may also notice a pins-and-needles sensation, or numbness in one leg or foot. They may also commonly notice general weakness, muscle fatigue or weakness, or a burning sensation in the affected area. The pain can range from mild to severe to radiating and sharp, and can affect the lower back, hip, buttocks, legs, and feet. Related conditions include lower back and hip pain, both of which may be manifestations of the same underlying cause.
Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica is usually caused by either a bone spur (extra growth of a normal bone) or a herniated disk that presses on the sciatic nerve, causing pain that spreads down the back of the affected leg. Less common causes include compression of the nerve by a tumor, or damage to the nerve due to diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of nerve damage throughout the body, but can particularly affect the sciatic nerve. Other risk factors for sciatica include aging, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle or occupation that involves remaining seated for extended periods of time.
Usually self-diagnosable, people experiencing sciatica may also notice a pins-and-needles sensation, or numbness in one leg or foot. They may also commonly notice general weakness, muscle fatigue or weakness, or a burning sensation in the affected area. The pain can range from mild to severe to radiating and sharp, and can affect the lower back, hip, buttocks, legs, and feet. Related conditions include lower back and hip pain, both of which may be manifestations of the same underlying cause.
Treatment of Sciatica
Treating sciatica will often require consultation with a medical professional, although some affected patients have been able to improve their condition with regular physical exercise and by icing the affected areas. Patients should always monitor their pain for changes in severity, and note which treatments improve the pain. A top spinal surgeon will be able to suggest the most appropriate option for each patient’s condition. They can also order prescription treatments for managing sciatica. Other treatment options include:
In cases where sciatica is accompanied by significant physical weakness, pain that continually worsens or fails to improve, or a loss of bladder and bowel control, surgery may be an option. First, check with a spinal surgeon near you to ensure that a surgical procedure is the best course of action. Then, request an X-ray or scan to determine the cause of the sciatica. If the pain is because of a bone spur or herniated disk that is pinching the nerve, surgery can remove the pressure and alleviate much, if not all, of the pain.
Treating sciatica will often require consultation with a medical professional, although some affected patients have been able to improve their condition with regular physical exercise and by icing the affected areas. Patients should always monitor their pain for changes in severity, and note which treatments improve the pain. A top spinal surgeon will be able to suggest the most appropriate option for each patient’s condition. They can also order prescription treatments for managing sciatica. Other treatment options include:
- Medical Procedures: Though surgery is generally not a treatment for sciatica, orthopedic and spinal surgeons in New Jersey can administer Epidural steroid injections.
- Medications: Common prescriptions include analgesics, muscle relaxants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, nerve pain medications, and steroids.
- Non-Western Medicine: Though not proven to alleviate severe pain in the sciatic nerve, many patients report pain relief after therapies involving massage, acupuncture, stretching exercises and visiting a chiropractor.
In cases where sciatica is accompanied by significant physical weakness, pain that continually worsens or fails to improve, or a loss of bladder and bowel control, surgery may be an option. First, check with a spinal surgeon near you to ensure that a surgical procedure is the best course of action. Then, request an X-ray or scan to determine the cause of the sciatica. If the pain is because of a bone spur or herniated disk that is pinching the nerve, surgery can remove the pressure and alleviate much, if not all, of the pain.
Prevention of Sciatica
Though sciatica is a difficult condition to prevent, and often recurs in patients, following several easy steps will often alleviate the severity of the recurrence. Regular exercise will help maintain the proper alignment of the spine and pelvis, both of which keep the sciatic nerve in place and prevent it from becoming aggravated or inflamed. This is an important step to follow as prolonged inactivity could trigger a flare-up of sciatica. Proper posture will also keep the nerve in alignment, and following the appropriate procedures when lifting heavy or awkward items will avoid irritating the sciatic nerve.
Though sciatica is difficult to prevent once it is contracted, take preventative measures to avoid this pain, especially for those who display the risk factors for the condition. Consult with a medical professional should the pain symptoms reflect characteristics of sciatica, and work together to create a treatment and prevention plan that is best for the patient’s lifestyle.
To learn more about sciatica, contact a spinal surgeon in New Jersey to determine if the pain being experienced is indeed sciatica and to determine the appropriate treatment plan for the ailment.
Though sciatica is a difficult condition to prevent, and often recurs in patients, following several easy steps will often alleviate the severity of the recurrence. Regular exercise will help maintain the proper alignment of the spine and pelvis, both of which keep the sciatic nerve in place and prevent it from becoming aggravated or inflamed. This is an important step to follow as prolonged inactivity could trigger a flare-up of sciatica. Proper posture will also keep the nerve in alignment, and following the appropriate procedures when lifting heavy or awkward items will avoid irritating the sciatic nerve.
Though sciatica is difficult to prevent once it is contracted, take preventative measures to avoid this pain, especially for those who display the risk factors for the condition. Consult with a medical professional should the pain symptoms reflect characteristics of sciatica, and work together to create a treatment and prevention plan that is best for the patient’s lifestyle.
To learn more about sciatica, contact a spinal surgeon in New Jersey to determine if the pain being experienced is indeed sciatica and to determine the appropriate treatment plan for the ailment.