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Sunday 25 May 2014

Methods Of Sciatica Pain Treatment Conroe Patients Should Consider


By Marci Glover


The painful condition known as sciatica involves the inflammation of the sciatic nerve which originates in the buttocks or lower back and extends down the length of the leg. There are several methods of sciatica pain treatment Conroe patients who continue to struggle with this troubling disorder can consider for relief. The most suitable approach depends on the severity and exact cause of the sciatica.

The primary issue leading to sciatic pain is compressed nerve roots, many patients will experience an improvement if they diligently perform a particular set of exercises and combine these with some simple, at-home pain control measures. Applying ice and heat alternately to the affected leg for about 20 minutes each, and then repeating this after two hours helps relieve some patient's discomfort.

The use of analgesic medications such as oral steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can also help make the pain subside at least for several hours. This can make it easier for the patient to go about his or her normal routine or to perform specific exercises that have been prescribed. Severe, acute pain may instead be treated with an epidural steroid injection.

Chiropractic adjustments are an alternative form of therapy that may also offer positive results for some sciatica sufferers. This approach focuses on correcting spinal alignment problems which are believed to be responsible for the discomfort. A trained chiropractor applies directed pressure to the affected vertebra, which in turn eliminates the nerve compression.

Other types of alternative healing techniques which may help are massage therapy and acupuncture. The former works by easing muscle tension, improving circulation, and stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural analgesics. The latter uses fine needles which are inserted into key energy pathways in the body to restore balance and alleviate suffering.

The majority of patients will experience a full recovery from sciatica in a six to twelve week period. One of the best ways to expedite this natural process is for the patient to undergo a regular physical therapy program that includes a routine of aerobic, stretching, and strengthening exercises for him or her to perform, as inactivity will prolong recovery. Exercising not only speeds up healing, but helps prevent the condition from recurring.

Pain that lasts longer than twelve weeks, may be best addressed through a surgical approach. The type of operation performed by the surgeon depends on the cause of the disorder, the most common procedures are microdiscectomy and lumbar laminectomy. The former is used to repair a herniated disc and it involves removing the part responsible for the sciatica. While the latter consists of removing the section of bone or disc that is pinching the nerve and is also called an "open decompression".

Surgery to treat sciatic pain is normally done on an elective basis, which means that it is the patient's decision to have it. The doctor will generally consent to refer the patient for surgery if he or she is experiencing notable limitations from persistent discomfort and has not achieved significant relief from non-surgical measures, they must also be in generally good health to be eligible for surgery.




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