A pinched nerve in the lower back can produce excruciating pain and debilitating loss of sensation in the buttocks, legs, feet, and toes. It usually occurs in people middle aged or older, when the anatomical components of the lower spine have begun to exhibit the effects of wear and tear. Age-related deterioration of the intervertebral discs, vertebral joints, and other anatomical components threatens the structural integrity of the spine, which can lead to compression of a spinal nerve or the spinal cord itself. Often, lower back degeneration leads to compression of the sciatic nerve, which originates in the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine and is the longest nerve in the body. Compression of the sciatic nerve produces the set of symptoms commonly known as sciatica – shooting pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the lower body.

Conservative Treatment For Sciatica

Anyone who has experienced the debilitating effects of advanced sciatica can attest to the insidious nature of the condition. Some people find themselves utterly unable to function due to intense pain and may be bedridden for days at a time. Others adjust their behavior to accommodate the symptoms, only to find that the adjustments they made place too much stress on other parts of the body – creating even more health problems. In truth, the only way to effectively battle sciatica is to work closely with a doctor to develop a treatment plan geared toward symptom management and decompression of the affected nerve.

Fortunately, most people with a pinched nerve in the lower back find that they can manage their symptoms adequately with a doctor-coordinated regimen of conservative treatment. Effective nonsurgical treatment methods typically include a combination of the following:

– Pain medication – Over-the-counter or prescription analgesics and anti-inflammatories.
– Stretching and exercise – Low-impact walking or swimming to improve circulation, muscle strength, and flexibility.
– Physical therapy – Re-training the body for improved posture and better body mechanics.
– Epidural injections – Corticosteroids and/or nerve blocks to reduce inflammation and block neural signals for temporary relief.
– Alternative methods – Many people have found relief through chiropractic adjustments and acupuncture.

When To Consider Surgery

Unless a medical emergency like cauda equina syndrome is present, surgery is generally considered the absolute last resort for people suffering from symptoms associated with a pinched nerve in the lower back. It may take a period of trial-and-error for a patient and doctor to determine the right combination of conservative treatments, but it’s important to give these methods every opportunity to work before consenting to spine surgery. If, however, every conservative method has proven ineffective after several weeks or months of implementation, surgery might very well become a viable treatment option. If so, the doctor-patient conversation should shift into the research mode. Just as it is the doctor’s responsibility to do everything possible to help the patient, it is the patient’s responsibility to become educated about his or her condition – and about the surgical options available to provide long-term relief. Start your research by asking your doctor about which surgical procedure he or she recommends. Then do your own research on the recommended procedure, as well as whether a minimally invasive, endoscopic procedure might be able to help you avoid the hospitalization, long recuperation, and other risks and side effects of open back surgery.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of pinched nerves and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Pinched nerve