The symptoms of Sciatica have often been difficult to treat, but a new option to this debilitating problem provides effective relief in most cases with little or no risk.
The complaint of Sciatica is often used inappropriately to define any pain down the leg, the true description, however is irritation to the sciatica nerve which is comprised of several nerves as they leave the lower back and join together to travel down the leg. The most common cause of true sciatica is either a bulging or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. The discs are soft structures in between each bone int he spine that acts as a shock absorber.
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.
If sciatic pain becomes unbearable then surgical intervention may be recommended. In a small number of sciatica cases this treatment may provide relief, at least temporarily. The problem is that surgical outcomes on the spine are low with about a 50% success rate and it brings with it significant risk factors. A common condition called failed back surgery syndrome is associated with spinal surgery and can the result of excessive scar tissue formation, spinal instability after surgery and increased stress on other spinal structures. The risk is also there for the need for a repeat surgery down the road.
A new approach to the treatment of sciatica now exists that is safe, effective and treats the cause of the problem not just the symptoms. It's called Spinal Decompression and brings with it a patented technology that allows a negative pressure to be created inside the disc space through a gentle distraction on the spine. This technology bypasses the typical guarding reflex of the spinal muscles and produces these negative gradients drawing in bulging and herniated material as well as fluid and nutrition so the disc can heal. It's effective in over 80% of patients and has no risky side effects. While some will say it looks like traction the computer system makes it highly sophisticated and beyond the realm of traditional traction devices.
As more studies are done on this technology a consistently high success rate is achieved. The long term benefits are also very promising because as I stated previously the treatment is aimed at healing the disc and removing the pressure and irritation from the nerve, not just masking it. While spinal decompression is not right for everyone with sciatica, it certainly represents a true breakthrough and a safe long term option for this condition. - 16492
The complaint of Sciatica is often used inappropriately to define any pain down the leg, the true description, however is irritation to the sciatica nerve which is comprised of several nerves as they leave the lower back and join together to travel down the leg. The most common cause of true sciatica is either a bulging or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. The discs are soft structures in between each bone int he spine that acts as a shock absorber.
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.
If sciatic pain becomes unbearable then surgical intervention may be recommended. In a small number of sciatica cases this treatment may provide relief, at least temporarily. The problem is that surgical outcomes on the spine are low with about a 50% success rate and it brings with it significant risk factors. A common condition called failed back surgery syndrome is associated with spinal surgery and can the result of excessive scar tissue formation, spinal instability after surgery and increased stress on other spinal structures. The risk is also there for the need for a repeat surgery down the road.
A new approach to the treatment of sciatica now exists that is safe, effective and treats the cause of the problem not just the symptoms. It's called Spinal Decompression and brings with it a patented technology that allows a negative pressure to be created inside the disc space through a gentle distraction on the spine. This technology bypasses the typical guarding reflex of the spinal muscles and produces these negative gradients drawing in bulging and herniated material as well as fluid and nutrition so the disc can heal. It's effective in over 80% of patients and has no risky side effects. While some will say it looks like traction the computer system makes it highly sophisticated and beyond the realm of traditional traction devices.
As more studies are done on this technology a consistently high success rate is achieved. The long term benefits are also very promising because as I stated previously the treatment is aimed at healing the disc and removing the pressure and irritation from the nerve, not just masking it. While spinal decompression is not right for everyone with sciatica, it certainly represents a true breakthrough and a safe long term option for this condition. - 16492
About the Author:
Dr. Randall Pruitt is a chiropractic neurologist.. He was a pioneer in the use of Spinal Decompression In Phoenix Arizona. He utilizes the DRX9000 exclusively to treat his patients with Sciatica In Phoenix
