The good news about sciatica treatment is that in all but the most extreme instances, the painful symptoms that arise as a result of the compression of the sciatic nerve can normally be managed with a regimen of conservative, nonsurgical techniques. In most cases, surgery is only warranted when several weeks or months of less invasive treatment fails to deliver the patient the results that they want. However, before any sciatica treatment regimen can begin, it is absolutely essential that you visit the doctor and receive an accurate diagnosis about the cause, severity, and location of the problem.

One of the reasons that a professional diagnosis is so important is that sciatica can actually be caused by any number of problems within the spinal column in the lumbar spine. As we grow older, the anatomical components in the spine, such as the intervertebral discs, vertebral facet joints, and ligaments, all naturally begin to deteriorate. This is entirely normal but when any of these degenerative changes result in the compression of the sciatic nerve as it branches off the spinal cord, the body will respond with various symptoms. Chronic lower back pain, sharp leg pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities, muscle weakness, and other similar types of discomfort are all commonly reported. It is these symptoms that are often referred to colloquially as “sciatica.”

Once the exact cause of the problem is located, the doctor will work closely with the patient to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is designed to deliver meaningful relief. With that said, it is important to understand that in many cases the goal of sciatica treatment isn’t to “cure” the sciatica, per se, but rather alleviate the cause of the nerve compression. In other words, the treatment might not be designed to remove an errant bone spur as much as it is to alleviate strain on the segment of the spine, increase flexibility in the back, and help ease the irritation of the sciatic nerve that stems from the bone spur.

The good news when it comes to sciatica treatment is that in most cases, individuals are able to overcome their discomfort by utilizing a regimen of nonsurgical treatment methods. The specific treatments that will be recommended to you of course depend largely on your specific prognosis and diagnosis, but in most cases some combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, low-impact exercises, gentle stretching techniques, and hot/cold therapy will eventually deliver the results that you require. The important thing here is to remain patient and have the proper expectations for your treatment. It isn’t unusual for the process to require some trial-and-error by the doctor as he or she attempts to identity the right combination of treatments for your specific situation.

In the event that several weeks or months of conservative treatment fails to deliver the lasting pain relief that you require, the prospect of sciatica surgery may be considered. While this approach is usually considered the sciatica treatment of last resort, in some instances it represents the best chance of overcoming lasting pain. Fortunately, there are a number of different procedures available to you depending on your specific condition, and you would do well to explore all of your options before consenting to any one particular surgery.

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 individuals who are looking for sciatica treatment.

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 individuals who are looking for sciatica treatment. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/sciatica_sciatic_nerve_pain/treatment/

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 individuals who are looking for sciatica treatment.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: sciatica treatment