Sciatica Treatment in Westminster Denver Colorado
Overview
●
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the
sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips
and buttocks and down each leg.
●
Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an
overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve. This causes
inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.
● Although the pain associated with sciatica can
be severe, most cases clear up with treatment in a few weeks. People who have
severe sciatica and serious leg weakness or bowel or bladder changes might need
surgery.
Symptoms
●
Sciatica pain can be almost anywhere along the nerve pathway.
It’s especially likely to follow a path from the low back to the buttock and
the back of a thigh and calf.
●
The pain can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning pain.
Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. It can be worse when
coughing or sneezing or sitting a long time. Usually, sciatica affects only one
side of the body.
● Some people also have numbness, tingling or muscle
weakness in the leg or foot. One part of the leg can be in pain, while another
part can feel numb.
When to see a doctor
●
Mild sciatica usually goes away over time. Call your primary
care provider if self-care measures don’t ease symptoms. Also call if pain
lasts longer than a week, is severe or gets worse. Get immediate medical care
for:
–
Sudden, severe pain in the low back or a leg and numbness or
muscle weakness in a leg
–
Pain after a violent injury, such as a traffic accident
–
Trouble controlling bowels or bladder
Causes
●
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched.
●
The cause is usually a herniated disk in the spine or an
overgrowth of bone, sometimes called bone spurs, form on the spinal bones.
● More rarely, a tumor can put pressure on the
nerve. Or a disease such as diabetes can damage the nerve.
Risk factors
Risk factors for sciatica include:
● Age.
Age-related changes in the spine, such as herniated disks and bone spurs, are
the most common causes of sciatica.
● Obesity. Being overweight increases stress on the spine.
● Occupation. A job that requires twisting the back, carrying heavy loads or
driving a motor vehicle for long periods might play a role in sciatica.
● Prolonged sitting. People who sit a lot or don’t move much are more likely to
develop sciatica than active people are.
● Diabetes. This condition, which affects the way the body uses blood
sugar, increases the risk of nerve damage.
Complications
●
Most people recover fully from sciatica, often without
treatment. But sciatica can damage nerves. Seek immediate medical attention
for:
–
Loss of feeling in the affected leg
–
Weakness in the affected leg
–
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Prevention
●
It’s not always possible to prevent sciatica, and the condition
can come back. To protect your back:
–
Exercise regularly. To keep the back strong, work the core
muscles — the muscles in the abdomen and lower back needed for good posture and
alignment. A health care provider can recommend activities.
–
Keep good posture when sitting. Choose a seat with good lower back support,
armrests and a swivel base. For better low back support, place a pillow or
rolled towel in the small of the back to keep its normal curve. Keep knees and
hips level.
–
Use your body correctly. When standing for long periods, rest one foot
on a stool or small box from time to time. When lifting something heavy, let
your legs do the work. Hold the load close to your body. Don’t lift and twist
at the same time. Find someone to help lift heavy or awkward things.
Diagnosis
● During the physical exam, a health care
provider 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. Pain from sciatica will
usually get worse while doing these moves.
Tests
●
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 an
overgrowth of bone that can be pressing on a nerve.
–
MRI. This procedure uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to
produce cross-sectional images of the back. An MRI produces detailed images of
bone and 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.
Our
expert providers are experienced and skilled at treating sciatica and are your
source for expert treatment of sciatica in Westminster and Denver Colorado. Not
only are we the premier treatment for spine injuries and chiropractic in
Westminster and Denver Colorado, but we also specialize in many other advanced
treatment techniques such as shockwave, cold laser, graston technique, KT
Taping, activator, instrument aided spinal alignments, drop table, toggle, in
house rehab services, and on site digital xrays. We are your Premier
destination for sciatica treatment in Westminster Colorado and Denver Colorado
Chiropractor.