One of the most frequent conditions in North America is sciatica, a pain in the lower back with radiation into the leg.
What is that that causes sciatica and how can we eliminate it? First, let us take a look at the meaning of the word.
What sciatica really means
The term sciatica actually describes symptoms of pain starting in the lower back, extending down through the buttock and the thigh and finishing into the lower leg and the foot. The pain usually occurs when a nerve or a nerve root is being compressed or pinched in the lower back, causing numbness, pain and weakness into the leg. The nerve or the nerve root can be pinched into various locations.
Mostly, sciatica is caused by lumbar disc herniation. Repeated mechanical stress to a spinal disc can lead to tearing the outer layers of the disc and herniation of the inner substance.
Lumbar disc herniations mostly happen in the weakest point of the disc, and when a disc herniates in this location, it usually directly contacts the nerve root which is exiting through the space and it activates the nerve and causes numbness and pain that radiate into the leg.
Other condition may also imitate the effects of a lumbar disc herniation, such as degenerative disc disease and piriformis syndrome.
So how can we treat sciatica?
According to all health professionals, conservative case should be always performed when it comes to sciatica pain, and surgery should be seen as a last resort only. Here is where chiropractors and physiotherapists come in.
-
heat/ice therapy
In the early phases of sciatica, you can use heat packs or ice pack for reducing pain and inflammation at the root of the problem. Under the influence of heat, muscles are being loosed, and under the influence of ice swelling and inflammation are being reduced.
-
Chiropractic Care and Physiotherapy
Chiropractors and physiotherapists use different treatments for relieving sciatica pain and promoting appropriate motion. These treatments include ultrasound and other modalities, electrotherapy, exercises, joint mobilization; manipulation, soft tissue therapy etc. find the one that is right for you.
-
McKenzie exercises
These exercises are efficient for reducing leg pain and centralizing the pain (bringing it into the lower back). Consult your chiropractor or physiotherapist before beginning with this practice.
-
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture is successfully used for reducing the symptoms of sciatica. It consists of use of small needles inserted through the skin into muscles at certain points along the meridian channels, and these needles cause micro-trauma to the muscles, which releases endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that calm nerve and muscle pain and reduce the pain sensation.
-
Lumbar Spine Traction and Decompression Therapy
For spreading the lumbar vertebrae and allowing the disc material to become re-absorbed into the outer disc material, manual and instrument-based traction therapy is used. It is a good option in cases your pain is not reduced with other treatment types.
-
Pain Medications like NSAIDs and Anti-inflammatory Supplements
This is a last resort when nothing else works. Ask your physician to prescribe some painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications in order to temporarily reduce pain and inflammation. Still, keep in mind that often times these pills have been related to heart problems and should be used with caution.
You can also use anti-inflammatory supplements, like curcumin and fish oil, which are also great natural alternatives to consider.
It is possible that these medications interact with other prescribed medications that you may be taking so it is recommended to consult first with your physician and pharmacist before taking pain killers.
