Lower back pain is generally attributed to advancing age or performing strenuous work. However, this may not always necessarily be the reason as other factors cause the pain. Your nervous system along your spine may be affected by several issues. One of them may be a condition known as sciatica. Some techniques can manage this painful condition. Those with Las Vegas sciatica should read on to know about its management and treatment.
Familiarize with Sciatica
This is a painful nerve condition in which the discomfort and pain are felt mainly in the areas around the sciatic nerve. These areas include your bottoms, hips, and legs.
The condition comes about when a sector of your nerves is compressed due to a spinal bone spur, a crooked disk, or spinal stenosis. The result is swelling, discomfort, numbness, and pain in one leg.
Most cases of sciatica require treatment without operation that may take only a few weeks. Surgery is only an option when bowel bladder control is a problem, or there is severe weakness in the leg.
Signs and Symptoms
This condition’s most famous symptom is pain that travels from the lower part of your back through your hips and legs. The pain levels vary from extreme pain to minimal discomfort and pain. Long periods spent sitting, coughing, or sneezing may increase your likelihood of getting the condition.
Weakness in the muscle, tingling, or feeling numb may occur on different parts of the leg or lower back area.
Causes
The condition happens when your sciatic nerve is pressurized by a dense bone or a curved disk on your skeleton. Other conditions like diabetes or tumors may cause compression.
Factors that may increase the likelihood of infection include:
- An extreme weight that may increase pressure on your spine
- Increasing age may cause physical changes like crooked disks and misshaped bones.
- Strenuous back activity at your place of work
- Diseases like diabetes affect your sugar control risking nerve damage
- Extended periods of sitting down in the same position
The condition may be avoided with healthy lifestyle activities like:
- Maintaining proper posture when sitting down
- Regular exercise
- Exercise good body mechanics
Diagnosis and Treatment
A physical exam is the opening diagnostic test to verify your symptoms. Additional imaging tests may be required, and these include:
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- X-ray
- Electromyography
Treatment begins with self-care measures, but if these do not work, these may help:
- Medications prescribed by your physician. These include narcotics, anti-inflammatories, tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and anti-seizure medications.
- Physical therapy via a rehabilitation program to help prevent future injuries through programs like exercise to perfect posture, strengthen back muscles, and enhance flexibility
- Steroid injections of corticosteroid treatment are put in the site around the affected nerve root to suppress swelling and alleviate pain.
- Surgery is the last option when all others have failed
It would be best not to dismiss any back problem and assume it to be an aging sign. This might be sciatica and, if left unattended, may cause serious health concerns. If you are going through any symptoms, visit our website or call our offices in Las Vegas, NV.
