All You Need to Know About Sciatica
Have you ever felt a sharp pain followed by a tingling sensation in the lower back and the legs? You may be suffering from a sciatica condition. The irritation of the sciatic nerve causes this condition. When your sciatic nerve is compressed by a herniated disk or narrowing of the spine, this causes pain and numbness in your hips and legs. However, this condition is treatable by a specialist. If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, and numbness in the lower back, it may be a sign of sciatica. Visit Balanced Pain Management clinic today and get treatment from the experienced Walnut Creek sciatica specialists.
Table of Contents
What are Some of the Causes of Sciatica?
The leading cause of this condition is irritation of the sciatic nerve in the roots. Several other conditions also influence the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. If you experience the irritation, it might be as a result of the following:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Injuries
- Infection in or near the spine
- Degenerative disk disease
- Irritation caused by a tumor, adjacent bone, or muscle.
- Pregnancy
All these are possible causes of sciatica condition. The pinching or compression of the spinal sciatic nerve can affect mobility and movement if severe. It is advisable to visit a sciatica specialist to get treatment.
What Are Some of the Symptoms?
If you are suffering from Sciatica condition, you are likely to experience symptoms such as
- Shooting leg pain
- Weakness or numbness in the affected leg
- Sharp shooting pain while standing
- Tingling pain in the hips
- Difficulty in moving the affected leg
- Radiating pain from the buttocks
- Lower back pain
You should look for these symptoms to know if you are suffering from Sciatica. If so, see a specialist to get checked and receive treatment.
What Are Some of the Risk Factors for the Condition?
Various risk factors propel the spread of sciatica. Highlighted below are some of them.
- Genetics
- Prolonged sitting
- Occupation
- Aging
- Diabetes
- Menopause
Some of these risk factors are preventable, while others cannot be prevented. For instance, in the case of older people are more at risk of sciatica conditions.
What treatment Options Are Available?
Sciatica treatment is done to relieve pain and increase your mobility. There are two major categories of sciatic pain management treatment. Your doctor may advise you on either a non-surgical option or surgical option depending on the condition severity.
Some of the non-surgical options include:
- Muscle relaxants
- Opioids
- Physical therapy
- Steroids injections
- Tricyclic antidepressants
If you want to relieve immediate pain, you can use the medications. Your doctor can also recommend the surgery. Some of the surgeries include microdiscectomy, lumbar stabilization, and foraminotomy.
Visit a Sciatica Specialist Today
Sciatica is a condition that can be fatal if left untreated. Your health is essential and requires advanced care. The pain presented by the condition can be unbearable. It is good to get a prescription from the doctor for the medication to assist in curbing it. Doctors often assess your situation to determine the right kind of treatment for you. You require a certified specialist to administer the treatment. Balanced Pain Management health clinic is equipped with a certified specialist that will assist you through the treatment. Call them today and book your appointment.