Approaches To Sciatica Pain Treatment Conroe Patients May Consider

By Marci Glover


Sciatic nerve pain is experienced in the leg through which this nerve travels, but it is believed to originate in the area of the lower back or buttocks. Rather than living with this discomfort and the restrictions it imposes on one's life, there are several types of sciatica pain treatment Conroe patients have available to them. Mild cases can often be treated using basic, at-home care, while more complex ones may require surgery.

Compressed nerve roots are essentially the source of sciatic discomfort, for some patients a combination of specific exercises and other simple treatments can bring about substantial improvement. The application of heat and ice to the affected leg is often helpful is easing the pain. Whichever of the two one prefers can be applied for about 20 minutes, then the other can be used. The process can be repeated every two hours.

Analgesics can also be effective for reducing suffering, at least temporarily so the patient can continue with regular activities and any exercise program he or she may be prescribed. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or oral steroids are sometimes administered to ease inflammation, and in some cases an epidural injection of steroids may be indicated.

As an alternative healthcare approach that can be effective in eliminating the underlying cause of the discomfort, chiropractic adjustments are sometimes implemented. When misalignments in the spinal vertebrae are found to be responsible a chiropractor will apply directed pressure to the affected part to correct it and the nerve compression it causes.

Massage therapy and acupuncture are two other forms of alternative medicine that can help sciatica patients. The former has a soothing effect as it boosts circulation, eases muscle tension, and stimulates endorphin release in the body, all of which encourage healing and alleviate pain. The latter aims to restore unbalanced energy levels in the body by inserting fine needles into selected spots which are believed to be directly connected to these vital channels, thus relieving suffering.

Fortunately, most patients gradually recover from sciatica within six to twelve weeks. This process can be hastened if the patient is put on a physical therapy plan consisting of exercises that involve stretching, strengthening, and aerobic moves to help encourage healing and prevent pain from recurring. It's important to exercise in spite of the discomfort as inactivity can slow down one's recovery.

If the patient's condition has shown little improvement after twelve weeks, surgery may be considered. The two procedures which are most commonly used to correct sciatic pain are the microdiscectomy and the lumbar laminectomy. The former is applied when a herniated disc is causing the problem, and it involves removing the offending part of the disc. The latter is also known as "open decompression" and it consists of excising the segment of the bone or disc causing nerve compression.

Generally, these surgeries are elective, meaning that it is the patient's decision. Physicians will agree to this form of treatment in most cases where other measures have failed to provide sufficient relief and the patient is becoming limited due to his or her persistent suffering. Patients typically must have good overall health to be considered as suitable candidates for surgical intervention.




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