Sciatica is characterised by pain in the lower back and gluteal region. This pain can radiate

down one or both legs into the thigh, calf, ankle, and foot. Genuine sciatica occurs when pain

travels below the knee.

SCIATICA TREATMENT

Sciatica Is Caused by Nerve Compression

Sciatica is generally caused by sciatic nerve compression. Disorders known to cause sciatic nerve pain

include lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebral body/ies), herniated or bulging discs (slipped

discs), pregnancy and childbirth, tumors, and non-spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation, or

sitting on one's back pocket wallet.

One common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis

muscle.

Sciatic nerve compression may result in the loss of feeling (sensory loss), paralysis of a single limb or

group of muscles (monoplegia), and insomnia.

The cause of your pain determines your treatment options to relieve sciatica.

DRUGS, MEDICATIONS

Epidural Steroid Injections: Steroids, which reduce inflammation, can help ease your sciatic pain. With

an epidural steroid injection, you get a corticosteroid medicine injected near the spinal nerve roots.

Over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): These will help reduce swelling

while relieving your pain. If an over-the-counter NSAID is an option for you, you and your doctor have

plenty to choose from.

Prescription Medications: If you have chronic sciatica, you may need a muscle relaxant to help ease

muscle spasms. As surprising as it may seem, anti-depressants can be effective drugs for treating pain

because they may help block pain messages on their way to the brain. They can also help increase your

body's production of endorphins, a natural pain killer.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Research in recent years has suggested that bed rest

alone will not offer relief for those suffering from nerve

pain such as sciatica.

Staying active may be more beneficial for those who

suffer from back pain. Activity means being up and

mobile for periods of time that are not enough to

cause further pain and aggravation to your back.

Some physicians may prescribe specific exercises, or

some may simply suggest walking.

Physical therapy includes both passive and active

treatments. Passive treatments help to relax you and

your body. They also prepare your body for

therapeutic exercise, which is the active part of

physical therapy.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTSACUPUNCTURE ACUPRESSURE

Acupressure is a non-invasive, safe, and gentle therapy. The acupressure practitioner uses his or her thumbs, fingers, and elbows to place a precise amount of pressure to specific body points.

Acupressure therapy includes the application of consistent pressure to one or more points and briskly rubbing the acupressure point to stimulate it.

Acupressure points and acupuncture points are identical.

Acupuncture work to restore a healthy, energetic

flow of Chi.

Acupuncturists insert very fine needles (sterilized

and disposable) into precise points on the body.

The points are called meridians.

During an acupuncture treatment, the practitioner

may gently twirl or heat some or all the needles.

You want to pursue acupuncture treatment, look for a licensed practitioner who uses sterile equipment.

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT

Ice/Cold therapy reduces inflammation and helps to control sciatic pain.

•Ultrasound is gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrates deep into tissues. Ultrasound

increases circulation and helps to reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain.

•TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a small box-like, battery-powered, portable

muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electrical current control acute pain and reduce muscle

spasms. Larger versions of the home-use TENS units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists and

other rehab professionals.

•Adjustments (Spinal Manipulation) At the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments.

Manipulation frees restricted movement of the spine and helps to restore misaligned vertebral bodies to

their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment helps to reduce nerve irritability responsible

for causing inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjust- ments

should not be painful. Spinal manipulation is proven to be safe and effective.

The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body's potential to heal itself.

It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (non-surgical) and drug-free.

The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the

cause of the patient's sciatica.

SURGICAL TREATMENTThere are several types of surgical procedures used in spine surgery,

and your spine surgeon will recommend the best procedure

sciatica treatment.

Two common spinal surgeries for sciatica are:

Discectomy or Microdiscectomy: In both of these procedures, the

surgeon removes all or part of a herniated disc that's pushing on your

sciatic nerve and causing your sciatica symptoms. The difference

between the procedures is that a microdiscectomy is a minimally

invasive surgery. The surgeon uses microscopic magnification to

work through a very small incision using very small instruments.

Laminectomy or Laminotomy: These procedures both involve a part of the spine called the lamina—a bony

plate that protects the spinal canal and spinal cord. A laminectomy is the removal of the entire lamina; a

laminotomy removes only a part of the lamina. These procedures can create more space for the nerves,

reducing the likelihood of the nerves being compressed or pinched.

WILL SPINE SURGERY RELIEVE SCIATICA?

The best answer here is: that is the goal of spine surgery. The surgeon will work to provide you with, in general,

pain relief and better mobility. By removing whatever is pressing on your sciatic nerve the end goal is to

decompress that nerve, which should relieve your sciatic pain.