SCIATICA
Sciatica Relief in Texas City, TX
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain resulting from damage to the sciatic nerve, radiating from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself – rather, it is the symptom of an underlying medical condition.
Symptoms
Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body. Numbness, tingling, sharp pain, and muscle weakness may be felt along the path of the sciatic nerve from your low back to your buttock and the back of your thigh and calf. Sciatica pain can vary in severity and frequency. For some, pain may be occasional and irritating, while others may experience constant, debilitating pain.
Causes
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a herniated spinal disc. Other causes may include:
- Isthmic spondylolisthesis
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Pregnancy
- Scar tissue
- Muscle strain
- Spinal tumor
- Infection
Treatment
As sciatica results from a wide variety of conditions, treatment of sciatica is individualized to each patient’s unique condition. Typically, a combination of treatment options is the most effective course of action. Treatments that may be effectively treat sciatica include:
- Cold/Hot packs
- Stretching
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Steroid injections
- Surgery
- Acupuncture
If you are experiencing painful sensations radiating from your low back to your leg, call Optimal Healthcare today at: (409) 948-1000
