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Submitted by: Patrick Foote
Sciatica treatment can vary widely from patient to patient: While one patient may find relief in the form of conservative treatments, another may require surgery. Likewise, one particular treatment (over-the-counter pain relievers, for instance) may provide the necessary level of relief for one patient while another s symptoms persist. Though every patient will likely have a different treatment regimen, there is one thing that most patients have in common and that s that very few of them will require surgery.
Sciatica Symptoms
Before we discuss the treatments available to patients who suffer from sciatica, it may first prove beneficial to review the symptoms of the condition. Sciatica is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that arise when the sciatic nerve (the body s largest nerve that travels from the lower back to the feet) is compressed. Neural compression can occur as the result of a damaged, misaligned, or inflamed spinal component, such as an intervertebral disc, facet joint, or vertebra. Symptoms can include pain in the lower back as well as pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the hip, buttock, leg, and/or foot.
Nonsurgical Treatments
There are a multitude of conservative, nonsurgical treatments available to patients who are suffering from sciatica. Some of the most commonly recommended treatments include:
Over-the-counter medications Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen and ibuprofen provide many patients with adequate pain relief. These medications can exacerbate certain gastrointestinal issues and may prove incredibly dangerous for patients who suffer from certain cardiovascular conditions. Instead, these patients may be advised to take an over-the-counter analgesic like acetaminophen.
Prescription medications Most physicians will only prescribe narcotic pain relievers and/or muscle relaxants for patients whose pain hasn t responded to over-the-counter medications.
Physical therapy (PT) Many patients can greatly benefit from working with a physical therapist. During a PT session, the patient will perform various exercises to stretch and strengthen specific muscles in the neck and/or back in an effort to reduce tension and relieve neural compression. PT sometimes entails other techniques, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and massage therapy, to name a few.
Lifestyle modifications Some patients are able find relief in the form of lifestyle modifications. For instance, patients who are overweight can often benefit from the shedding excess pounds that could be contributing to neural compression. Likewise, patients who use tobacco products, abuse alcohol, and lead sedentary lifestyles can sometimes benefit from reversing these unhealthy behaviors.
Surgical Treatments
The pain and discomfort experienced by most patients will abate after utilizing conservative, nonsurgical sciatica treatment methods for several weeks or months. A minority, however, will be advised by their physicians to consider undergoing operations to relieve neural compression. Some patients may be candidates for minimally invasive procedures that generally require a less arduous rehabilitation than open back surgery. These procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and don t require the complete removal or fusion of any spinal components. Many patients are able to return to their daily activities within a few weeks of undergoing a minimally invasive procedure.
To find out if you re a candidate for a minimally invasive sciatica treatment, contact your physician or spine specialist today.
About the Author: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient
sciatica treatment
.
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