Sciatica Specialists in Moncton - Find Long term Relief
Everything You Need To Know About Sciatica
Sciatica refers to the pain that begins in the lower back, radiates into the buttock, and travels down toward the leg. The pain moves along the sciatic nerve pathway — a large nerve that extends from your lower back toward the back of each leg.
Sciatica is caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. It most frequently occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone exerts pressure on a nerve segment. This phenomenon causes pain, inflammation, and sometimes numbness in the affected leg.
Though the pain associated with Sciatica can be very severe, most cases clear up with a proper treatment in a few weeks. People with severe Sciatica, weakness in the legs, and bladder or bowel changes might require surgery.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica pain varies widely. Some individuals may feel a mild tingling sensation, dull ache, or burning sensation, while others may experience sharp pain and numbness. However, in some cases, the pain from this condition can be worse and more debilitating.
Here are some of the common symptoms of Sciatica you may experience:
- Pain in the lower back area
- Pain in the legs and the rear regions that becomes worse while you're sitting
- Pain in buttocks
- Burning sensation down the leg
- Tingling or numbness
- Weakness
- Hard time moving the leg or foot
- A continuous pain
Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica can occur for many reasons, pressure, irritation, or injury to the sciatic nerve being the most common. Several conditions may result in compression or irritation of the nerve, including:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis — the narrowing of the spinal canal
- Degenerative disk disease
- Injury to the spine or Pelvic area
- Spondylolisthesis (slip of vertebrae forward over another one)
- Pregnancy
- Muscle spasms in the buttocks and the back
- Some Tumors
- Infections affecting the spine
- Bone spurs caused by Osteoarthritis
Risk Factors of Sciatica
Factors that may increase your risk for Sciatica include:
- Aging (which can cause changes in the spine, such as herniated disks)
- Sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress
- Certain professions, such as those requiring prolonged driving, twisting your back for a long while, or carrying heavy equipment
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Treatment of Sciatica
The treatment of Sciatica aims to reduce your pain and increase your mobility. In some cases, Sciatica goes away after some time with simple self-care treatments; in others, it requires medications and physiotherapy.
Some home remedies to relieve Sciatica are as follows:
- Using hot and cold packs
- Exercises like Stretching
If you still suffer from pain, your doctor might advise you on the following.
Prevention
To avoid getting Sciatica, follow these steps:
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a good posture when sitting
- Avoid sitting for long intervals
- Maintain healthy weight
Medication
Your doctor might prescribe various medications, including:
- Over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine
- Anti-seizure medications such as gabapentin and pregabalin
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline
- Physical therapy.
- Steroid injections, if other therapies fail to improve your condition.
Surgery
Surgery is a good option if your pain doesn't improve, even if you take medications and do physiotherapy.
When To Consult A Doctor
ook for medical attention right away if you have the following:
- Fever
- Swelling
- Redness
- Back pain
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Severe pain
Surgery
It is the last resort when all other treatment options fail. Some conditions like knee fractures need surgical intervention, so in such cases, surgery is performed to avoid pain and restore the normal functioning of the knee.
