Print
BlinkList
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Sciatica is a specific group of symptoms that are indicative of irritation to or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This nerve is located in the lumbar spine and is responsible for transmitting signals through the lower back into the buttocks, backs of the legs, and soles of the feet. The symptoms caused by the irritation vary in intensity, and not everyone experiences all of them or the same combination. They may become more severe when the person coughs or sneezes, or when they are sitting or standing for a long period of time.
These symptoms include:
- Pain
- Cramping
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling or pins and needles
- Numbness
- Muscle spasms
Treatments for Sciatica in the Back
Sciatica treatment usually begins with conservative techniques, which include:
- Rest
- Spinal decompression
- Heat/ice compression therapy
- Pain medications - prescription and OTC
- Epidural injections of cortisone
- Stretching
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
- More
If a patient has tried all these conservative treatments and still cannot obtain relief enough to maintain an acceptable quality of life, then surgery may be put forth as a final treatment option. For those considering this method of treatment, open back surgery and endoscopic procedures are the two choices. Of the two, endoscopic procedures provide the faster recovery time, fewer risks, an outpatient setting, and a higher success rate.
To learn more about minimally invasive procedures as compared to open back surgery for sciatica, contact Laser Spine Institute. We offer a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan and will let you know if you qualify for one of our procedures, as well as discuss all your treatment options with you based on the specifics of your sciatica in the back.