Sciatica is a condition of the back that causes shooting pains throughout a person’s lower back and legs. This happens when the sciatic nerve becomes pressed or irritated by the bones located in the lower area of the spine.
Although this pain is usually felt throughout the leg, it is common for it to go beyond the knee and even into the foot. Besides pain, other effects are weakness of the leg muscles or numbness. Oftentimes this is combined with some form of lower back pain which can occur before or after the condition.
When diagnosing sciatica, doctors review not only the pain a patient is feeling, but also what other symptoms or conditions they may have. Although they may seem unrelated, they often can highlight something more severe than just simple back pain. Some things to notice are having lost a drastic amount of weight, feeling unwell, taking steroids, having or have had cancer, a recent violent injury, like a car crash. These indicators are usually signs to see a doctor right away.
The treatment for this condition is basic as it usually resolves itself fully within a matter of days or a few weeks. Treating the pain can easily be done with generic painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen. Although it might seem best to settle in bed until the pain is gone, this does not help with the condition itself and only helps with the pain. Staying active is a much better option as well as staying in work.
In severe cases, where simple painkillers do not help, it may be suggested to have an epidural. This is an injection directly into the spine which numbs the nerves that cause the pain.
Surgery to stop the nerves from being pressed by the bones within back is sometimes required in the most extreme of cases. This is something doctors resort to very infrequently due to the high risks involved in back surgery.
To learn more about sciatica as well as possible treatment options, visit Dr. Dirk Kancilia’s site www.CaliforniaDiscInstitute
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Back Ache · Back Pain · california disc institute · CDI · disc · neck pain · sciatica · scoliosis · spinal decompression · spine · vertebrae