Sciatica has long been a difficult and unrelenting symptom to treat. Many treatments have failed to produce long term results, until now. A new treatments provides relief in the majority of cases without the risk on invasive procedures.
Sciatica is the the term used to identify pain running down the leg, it is irritation of the actual sciatic nerve as it exits the spine at various levels. The sciatic nerve is actually made up of several different nerves joining together to form one large nerve. The most likely cause of sciatica is a herniated or bulging disc in the lower back. The discs are thick fibrous structures between each vertebrae that offer cushioning and spacing needed for the nerves to exit and the flexibility needed to move.
The inner portion of the disc has a much higher water content then the outer portion and as is much softer in consistency. One the outer fibers become weaker or are damaged the softer material begins to move it's way outward because of the positive pressure on the disc itself. As it moves out it begins to create a bulge or what's called a herniated causing the disc to protrude outwards and narrowing the hole where the nerve exits. The narrowing can cause direct pressure on the nerve itself or create inflammation that can then irritate the nerve creating symptoms of pain, numbness or weakness down the leg.
The treatment of sciatica often includes medications, spinal injections and in severe cases surgery may be recommended. With the exception of surgery these treatments are often temporary and don't treat the actual cause. They also bring with them the risk of undesirable side effects. If the nerve is actually compressed these treatments may offer very little relief if any at all, and surgery brings with it other undesirable risks.
One of the most common treatments from the above list are spinal injections or epidurals. This treatment may offer a short term solution to a debilitation problem, however it offers very little in the way of a long term benefit. The injections work by combating inflammation and reducing swelling of the affected nerve, however side effects may be associated with this treatment. These may include a spinal headache, a spike in blood sugar for diabetics and the potential of a rebound effect where the pain returns with greater intensity. The relief these injections bring may be worth the risk but a long term solution needs to be combined for the treatment to be truly effective.
Some of the worst cases of sciatica may be referred for surgery. This approach may help a small number of these cases and may in fact be the treatment of choice, however it brings with it significant risk factors and a poor success rate. Spinal surgeries have about a 50% success rate and often can lead to a condition called failed back surgery syndrome. This condition is usually caused by scar tissue formation, spinal instability or another disc being involved due to increase stress on adjacent levels. It is also very likely another surgery may be indicated in the future.
Fortunately a new treatment exists that is highly effective and doesn't bring with it the risk of side effects associated with other treatments. Spinal Decompression is a new, advanced form of spinal traction with a patented computer monitoring device. This device allow a gently and logarithmic pull of the spine safely bypassing the guarding reflex muscle contraction associated with traditional traction. Bypassing this muscle response allows a therapeutic negative pressure to develop inside the disc space drawing in nutrition and fluid to help the disc heal, but also reducing herniated or bulging material and relieving the sciatica nerve. The treatment is safe and gentle and brings with it a very high success rate in the high 80 percentile and because it physically treats the cause of sciatica the problem is not likely to return.
While spinal decompression may not be right for everyone suffering from sciatica, research shows it to be a very promising and long term option for many. Because it offers a true healing environment for the disc and nerves the problem is not just masked or covered up, but a true healing of the structures takes place. The treatment is safe and represents a real promise for sciatica sufferers everywhere.
Sciatica is the the term used to identify pain running down the leg, it is irritation of the actual sciatic nerve as it exits the spine at various levels. The sciatic nerve is actually made up of several different nerves joining together to form one large nerve. The most likely cause of sciatica is a herniated or bulging disc in the lower back. The discs are thick fibrous structures between each vertebrae that offer cushioning and spacing needed for the nerves to exit and the flexibility needed to move.
The inner portion of the disc has a much higher water content then the outer portion and as is much softer in consistency. One the outer fibers become weaker or are damaged the softer material begins to move it's way outward because of the positive pressure on the disc itself. As it moves out it begins to create a bulge or what's called a herniated causing the disc to protrude outwards and narrowing the hole where the nerve exits. The narrowing can cause direct pressure on the nerve itself or create inflammation that can then irritate the nerve creating symptoms of pain, numbness or weakness down the leg.
The treatment of sciatica often includes medications, spinal injections and in severe cases surgery may be recommended. With the exception of surgery these treatments are often temporary and don't treat the actual cause. They also bring with them the risk of undesirable side effects. If the nerve is actually compressed these treatments may offer very little relief if any at all, and surgery brings with it other undesirable risks.
One of the most common treatments from the above list are spinal injections or epidurals. This treatment may offer a short term solution to a debilitation problem, however it offers very little in the way of a long term benefit. The injections work by combating inflammation and reducing swelling of the affected nerve, however side effects may be associated with this treatment. These may include a spinal headache, a spike in blood sugar for diabetics and the potential of a rebound effect where the pain returns with greater intensity. The relief these injections bring may be worth the risk but a long term solution needs to be combined for the treatment to be truly effective.
Some of the worst cases of sciatica may be referred for surgery. This approach may help a small number of these cases and may in fact be the treatment of choice, however it brings with it significant risk factors and a poor success rate. Spinal surgeries have about a 50% success rate and often can lead to a condition called failed back surgery syndrome. This condition is usually caused by scar tissue formation, spinal instability or another disc being involved due to increase stress on adjacent levels. It is also very likely another surgery may be indicated in the future.
Fortunately a new treatment exists that is highly effective and doesn't bring with it the risk of side effects associated with other treatments. Spinal Decompression is a new, advanced form of spinal traction with a patented computer monitoring device. This device allow a gently and logarithmic pull of the spine safely bypassing the guarding reflex muscle contraction associated with traditional traction. Bypassing this muscle response allows a therapeutic negative pressure to develop inside the disc space drawing in nutrition and fluid to help the disc heal, but also reducing herniated or bulging material and relieving the sciatica nerve. The treatment is safe and gentle and brings with it a very high success rate in the high 80 percentile and because it physically treats the cause of sciatica the problem is not likely to return.
While spinal decompression may not be right for everyone suffering from sciatica, research shows it to be a very promising and long term option for many. Because it offers a true healing environment for the disc and nerves the problem is not just masked or covered up, but a true healing of the structures takes place. The treatment is safe and represents a real promise for sciatica sufferers everywhere.
About the Author:
Dr. Randall Pruitt is a board certified chiropractic neurologist. He was a pioneer in the use of Spinal Decompression In Phoenix Arizona. He utilizes the DRX9000 in his practice to achieve results for the treatment of Sciatica In Phoenix
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