Sciatica: Getting To The Root Of The Problem
Sciatica: Getting To The Root Of The Problem
Anyone who has had sciatica will know how painful it can be. During the day you experience pain that can feel quite debilitating and then at night, you can find it hard to sleep because the pain keeps you awake, so the next day you wake and not only do you find that you are still in pain, but you are also tired from lack of sleep. This vicious cycle can simply go on and on, leaving patients feeling exhausted, tired of pain and unable to function effectively, or go to work. Many patients also relate that they are worried that they will have sciatica for life and that the pain will never go away. In fact this is not true and there is help for people who suffer from sciatica, but it can also help to understand a little about the causes and nature of sciatica.
What Exactly is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that is actually a symptom! Although the pain in the lower back is actually caused by the sciatic nerve, sciatica is caused by discs (or usually a disc) in the vertebrae that is causing pressure on the radicular nerve root which is found in the lower back. This nerve root actually forms part of the sciatic nerve, so as the sciatic nerve is under pressure you feel the pain!
The Root Of The Problem
The interesting point of sciatica, from a professional perspective is that the sciatic pain that you may be feeling is s sign that all is not well in the lower back, which is why sciatica is viewed as a symptom, not a condition in its own right. It actually alerts us to the fact that a disc is slightly out of place and so directs us to treat the underlying root of the problem as opposed to simply trying to reduce pain levels.
Who Gets Sciatica?
Unfortunately for sufferers, sciatica can hit anyone at any time, although the most common age group to suffer with sciatica are people who are between the ages of 30 and 50, although some people experience it at before 30 and certainly, people over 50 are not immune to sciatica.
What Causes Some People To Get Sciatica?
Causes vary according to individuals, but it may simply be attributable to the discs in the back becoming worn and it is often described as being a result of ‘general wear and tear’ on the back, so it is not usually a sign that there is anything seriously wrong.
Can Sciatica Be Cured?
Sciatica can be effectively treated. At Spinal Healthcare we have direct access to all the latest technology and techniques that enable us to not just diagnose sciatica, but to be able to accurately pinpoint the underlying root of the problem, so that a full clinical diagnosis and treatment options can be ascertained with the utmost speed and then treatment can be initiated.
Most people who experience sciatica will indeed recover, so it is not a condition that is a lifelong condition once it has been diagnosed, although there may be recurrent bouts, particularly if the wear and tear on the back is significant.
