How To Treat Sciatica - Physiotherapy Treatment
Sciatica is the source of one of the most common medical conditions shared by most everyone in the adult population
. It is a condition that results in pain in the back, and numbness, weakness or tingling in the legs and back. Sciatica is set of symptoms, as opposed to an actual condition or disease.
The presence of the symptoms varies considerably. Some patients complain of sharp pain; others report the same pain, only with burning as well. It can also present as a dull kind of achy pain, as well as tingling in the extremities. The pain is usually limited to one side of the body, can be quite severe, and can be bad enough to prevent free movement. Generally, the pain worsens over time, and can be quite mild in the beginning.
Symptoms present more dramatically after patients sneeze or cough, after sitting or standing for long periods and when bending. There can also be acute pain associated with walking.
Causes of Sciatica
The symptoms are the result of damage to the sciatica nerve, which is located in the back of the leg and controls the muscles located in the back of the knee and lower leg. This nerve is also responsible for sensation in the back of the thigh, as well as the lower leg and bottom of the foot.
Sciatica is usually a symptom of pelvic injury, pirifomis syndrome, degenerative disc disease, slipped disc, and spinal stenosis. They can also be caused by tumors.
Sciatica Treatment
Many people wonder how to treat sciatica. Because this is such a common complaint, many effective treatments have been developed over the years. However, before treatment begins, the underlying cause of the symptom should first be identified and treated. Once these underlying issues are addressed, treatment for the Sciatica itself might not be necessary.
Treatments that are more conservative in nature "such as chiropractic manipulation, Sciatica exercises, stretching and pain management" are generally recommended in cases where there has been no proximate trauma, lack of degeneration of the nerve axon, no movement difficulties and where the onset was rather sudden.
There are however, surgical treatments as well. Surgeons can, for example, remove lesions that are pinching the nerve, such as occurs with a ruptured disc. Where the nerve itself has been damaged, surgery is not generally a workable solution.
Pain medications, both over the counter and prescription, are used to control pain, with the severity of the pain dictating the strength of the pain medication. Other medications used to treat the symptoms include steroids (used to reduce swelling), antidepressants (used to deal with chronic pain).
Physical therapy is also used to help patients restore muscle strength lost during periods where acute pain has prevented exercise.
Patients might also be fitted for splints, braces, orthopedic shoes, etc that will help their bodies make up for any lost movement or impaired function. For those who have been seriously enough affected by the symptoms that it has meant the loss of their occupation, occupational therapy is often suggested as well.
Diagnosis
Sciatica is diagnosed in a number of fashions. Doctors can conduct an examination of the neuromuscular function of the legs to look for weakness in foot movement or knee mobility. Abnormal reflexes might also be present alongside Sciatica. Doctors might also have the patient lift the leg while on the table to check for pain; pain with this motion is often associated with Sciatica.
Additional testing can be done as well, with X-rays, MRIs and like diagnostics often used in this process. Detecting the underlying cause of the Sciatica pain can be an arduous process, given the wide number of problems that can lead to the symptoms.
Generally speaking, treatment is effective when the underlying cause is identified; however, treatment can also take time, especially where function has been greatly undermined. Long-term pain can be present during the treatment process.
At its most extreme, Sciatica can lead to loss of movement and sensation in the leg.
The best way to treat Sciatica is before it begins, and this involves a few lifestyle changes, such as ensuring that sitting for long periods of time is not done without periodic breaks. Regular exercise and stretching are also advised. Smoking is associated with certain types of spinal disc issues that can lead to Sciatica, so stopping smoking cannot only save your life, it can help prevent Sciatica symptoms.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is also important. Many of the underlying conditions that lead to Sciatica are caused by excessive wear on joints and discs; they heavier the body, the greater the pressure that is exerted on those joints and discs. And generally speaking there is a virtuous circle between healthy body weight, exercise and healthy joints and backs.
Contact your health professional if you have the symptoms described above. Often getting in front of the problem will help prevent problems associated with long-standing presence of the symptoms (and even complications from medications to treat it). The process of diagnosing and treating Sciatica and its underlying causes can take time. The faster you start, the better your chances of a shorter and more lasting recovery.
by: Johnathan Lim
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