Sciatica Treatments

The symptoms of sciatica are unmistakable to anyone who has experienced it; sharp, sometimes shooting pain in the buttocks and leg, sometimes accompanied by muscle weakness, tingling, or numbness. The condition can make it hard to go about daily activities and even to walk. Fortunately, it can be managed effective through many forms of treatment, ranging from home care to surgery.

Causes

The course of treatment for sciatica will depend on the cause. Common causes include:

Inflammation or irritation of the nerve roots
Spondylolisthesis, a misalignment of the vertebrae
Bone spurs
Degenerative disc disease
Bulging or herniated discs
Pregnancy

Unless the condition is accompanied by loss of bladder control or progressive muscle weakness, sciatica is not urgent from a medical perspective; however, it may be urgent from a quality of life perspective.

Treatment

It's relatively rare for sciatica to need to be treated with surgery. Unless symptoms are severe as described above, the first line of treatment will be conservative treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, and medication.

If those fail or if symptoms are severe, and the condition is caused by an underlying issue such as spinal stenosis, surgery may be considered. Most of the time, minimally invasive procedures such as laser spine surgery can be used. This reduces the recovery period and the risk of certain side effects.

Whether or not you undergo major treatments such as epidural steroid injections or surgery, the course of treatment will involve home care and risk reduction, including:

Performing stretches
Losing weight if obese
Not wearing high heels
Exercising regularly
Sleeping on an appropriate mattress

All of these steps can prevent future flare-ups. As with all medicine, prevention is one of the most important aspects of treatment.

To learn more about treatments for spine pain, please click below or call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at (646) 374-1799.

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