Yesterday’s post served as a sort of informational one on the topic of sciatica pain. As I said, if you, unfortunately, have had issues with sciatica pain before, you are well aware of how uncomfortable and miserable it can be.
Sciatica pain is more common than you may suspect, and now that we have established a general understanding of the condition, I though today’s post could offer some helpful information pertaining to sciatica pain relief, in addition to addressing how sciatica problems are diagnosed by a professional. The following information comes from mayoclinic.org.
“During the physical exam, a healthcare professional might check muscle strength and reflexes. For example, you may be asked to walk on your toes or heels, rise from a squatting position, and lift your legs one at a time while lying on your back.
“People with severe pain or pain that doesn’t improve within a few weeks may need:
- X-ray. An X-ray of the spine may reveal various mechanical changes that can affect the size of the holes where the nerve roots exit the spine.
- MRI. This procedure uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images of the back. An MRI produces detailed images of the soft tissues, so herniated disks and pinched nerves show on the scan.
- CT scan. Having a CT scan might involve having a dye injected into the spinal canal before the X-rays are taken (CT myelogram). The dye then moves around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, making them easier to see on the images.
- Electromyography (EMG). This test measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of the muscles. This test can confirm how severe a nerve root injury is.
“The types of medicines that might be used to treat sciatica pain include:
- Anti-inflammatories.
- Corticosteroids.
- Antidepressants.
- Anti-seizure medications.
- Opioids.
“Once the pain improves, a healthcare professional can design a program to help prevent future injuries. This typically includes exercises to correct posture, strengthen the core and improve range of motion.
“In some cases, a shot of a corticosteroid medication into the area around the nerve root that’s causing pain can help. Often, one injection helps reduce pain. Up to three can be given in one year.
“Surgeons can remove the bone spur or the portion of the herniated disk that’s pressing on the nerve. But surgery is usually done only when sciatica causes severe weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or pain that doesn’t improve with other treatments,” the web page states.
Tomorrow’s post will cover some helpful stretches that can also alleviate sciatica pain.
Photo by julien Tromeur on Unsplash
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