When it comes to receiving a sciatica diagnosis, it is absolutely essential that you rely on the expertise of a trained spine specialist. While many people may think that they can recognize the basic symptoms of sciatica, such as chronic leg pain, back pain, or a sensation of numbness in the extremities, in reality, these symptoms can be caused a number of different ways. In fact, sciatica isn’t a condition in and of itself. Rather, the word sciatica is used to describe the symptoms that arise as a result of the compression of the sciatic nerve in the lumbar spine. As a result, the ultimate goal of a “sciatica diagnosis” is less about determining that the sciatic nerve is compressed and more about identifying the root cause of the issue. Only once an accurate diagnosis is made can the discussion shift to possible treatment options.

While sciatica can conceivably be caused by a traumatic or sports-related injury, most often these symptoms develop as a result of the natural degeneration that occurs within the lumbar spine in the lower back. Over the years, the anatomical components that allow for the full range of motion we require in our back tend to deteriorate because of normal wear and tear. However, when this degeneration advances to the point that the sciatic nerve is affected, symptoms can develop.

The difficulty in treating sciatica is that you need to have a clear understanding of what is causing the problem in order to effectively manage the symptoms. This is made even more challenging when you consider that sometimes symptoms can be experienced in parts of the body that are seemingly unrelated to the lumbar spine. For instance, one possible symptom of sciatic nerve compression is numbness and tingling in the feet.

The good news is that by working with a spine specialist, obtaining an accurate sciatica diagnosis is possible. Generally speaking, this diagnosis process first begins with an overview of your condition, health, and lifestyle. The goal here is to be as vivid as possible when you answer his or her questions because even small details may prove essential in identifying the root cause of the issue. You should also prepare for a physical examination wherein the doctor will apply pressure in the lower back to get a better sense of from where exactly the issue stems. This may be somewhat uncomfortable but is an integral step in the sciatica diagnosis.

Finally, most doctors will rely on medical imagery technology to confirm a diagnosis. The use of an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray is all possible because these tools can pinpoint the problem, ensure that no other underlying issue is to blame for your discomfort, and help the doctor determine the severity of the problem.

Then, once the sciatica diagnosis is made, the conversation can turn to what treatment options are available to you. These options vary widely, but more often than not a combination of nonsurgical methods will be able to deliver the results you like over the course of several weeks or months.

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 have received a sciatica diagnosis.

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 have received a sciatica diagnosis. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/sciatica_sciatic_nerve_pain

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 have received a sciatica diagnosis.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: sciatica diagnosis