Here discuss about SCIATICA Treatment in Southlake : The longest and thickest nerve in the human body is the SCIATICA nerve.On either side of your body, one sciatic nerve runs through your hips, buttocks, and down a leg.
Sciatica is known as pain caused by irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica commonly affects one leg at a time, but it can also affect both legs at the same time.
Sciatica is a common complaint by most people. About 40% of people in the United States experience sciatica at a point in their lifetime.
Sciatica causes mild to severe pain that you feel anywhere along the path of the sciatic nerve. You may experience sciatica pain anywhere from your lower back, through your buttocks and down your legs. Sciatica can also cause muscle weakness and numbness in your leg.
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated or slipped disk that exerts pressure on the nerve root. Sciatica can occur suddenly or gradually depending on the cause. While a herniated disk can cause sudden sciatica, arthritis in the spine causes sciatica that develops slowly over time
Causes of Sciatica
Causes of sciatica include:
- Injury or trauma
- Herniated disk
- Degenerative disk
- Spinal stenosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Tumors in the lumbar spinal canal
- Piriformis syndrome
- Cauda equina syndrome
Risk factors for Sciatica
The risk factors for sciatica include:
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Injury or previous injury
An injury or previous injury to your lower back or spine increases your risk for sciatica.
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Aging
Natural wear and tear of bone tissues and disks in your spine occur as you grow older. This can put your nerves at risk of being irritated or injured, thereby increasing your risk of sciatica.
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Overweight
Your spine carries a significant part of your entire weight. If you are overweight, more pressure is exerted on your spine. Your back muscles will need to work more, thereby increasing your risk of sciatica.
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Lack of a strong core
The muscles of your back and abdomen are known as your core. The stronger the muscles are, the more support you’ll have for your lower back. Lack of a strong core will increase your risk of sciatica.
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Pregnancy
Pregnant women are prone to sciatica. This is as a result of certain hormones of pregnancy that cause a loosening of ligaments that hold the vertebrae together, protect the disks and keep the spine stable. When the ligaments are loosed, it can cause the spine to become unstable and might cause disks to slip.
This condition can lead to nerves being pinched, leading to sciatica. The weight and position of the baby can also add pressure to the nerve, increasing the risk of sciatica.
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Certain jobs
If your job requires you to lift heavy objects all the time, you will likely have low back problems and pain. Prolonged sitting on a chair and staring at a computer may also increase your risk of sciatica.
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Diabetes
Diabetes increases your risk of nerve damage which in turn increases your risk of sciatica.
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Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can cause damage to your spine, increasing your risk of sciatica.
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An inactive lifestyle
Sitting for a prolonged period of time, not exercising, or engaging in any physical activities can increase your risk of sciatica.
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Smoking
The nicotine in tobacco can damage spinal tissue, weaken bones, and increase the wearing down of vertebral disks, thereby increasing your risk of sciatica.
Symptoms of Sciatica
- Mild to severe pain in the lower back, buttock and down the leg.
- Numbness or weakness in the lower back, buttock, leg, or feet.
- Pain that gets worse with movement
- Feeling of pins and needles in the legs, toes or feet.
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
Treatment of Sciatica
The treatment options depend on the cause and severity of the pain.
Treatment options include:
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Cold and heat
Applying cold or heat to the pain area can help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
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Over-the-counter pain relievers
OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can be used to relieve sciatica pain.
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Exercises
Engaging in strengthening and stretching exercises can help to relieve pain and make the spine more flexible.
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Prescription medications
Prescription drugs such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, narcotics, anti-seizures, and tricyclic anti-depressants can be effective for the treatment of sciatica.
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Steroid injections
Injecting corticosteroids into the affected nerve area can help to stop sciatica pain.
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Alternative treatment
Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic and some forms of spinal manipulations can also be effective for the treatment of sciatica.
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Surgery
Surgery may be required when all other conservative treatment options have failed. There are different types of surgery that your doctor can recommend depending on the severity of your condition.