Sciatica – dealing with the pain
Since sciatica is a symptom and not a medical condition, it is vital to know the underlying condition before treatment. It also varies in type, severity and location depending on the medical condition causing it. Thankfully, it is very rare to find permanent sciatic nerve damage, even though the pain can be very severe. Since the sciatic nerve is the single largest nerve in the body, composed of nerve roots which branch out from the spine, the symptoms occur when this large nerve is disturbed.
The common treatment for severe and ongoing sciatic nerve pain is the non surgical way- exercising, which helps a lot in relieving the pain. For the pain that does not get well on its own, surgery or a more planned treatment is required. The best treatment plan is one which is based on an individual’s diagnosis, symptoms and the response to a variety of treatments. This is because some patients find relief in following one treatment which may not help the other patient with the sciatic nerve disorder. A combination of alternative treatments like chiro practice or alternating heat and ice massage therapy has been found to be helpful in controlling the pain in most cases. These treatments are other than the anti inflammatory medication and epidural steroid injection.
The new data from Japan in treating the chemical inflammation of the spinal nerve roots causing widespread disability – sciatica, has been very favorable. This data was presented at the American College of rheumatology Annual meeting in Philadelphia, with increasing scientific evidence. This new data from Japan suggests using a local administration of a unique anti –inflammatory curative, ‘etanercept’. Etanercept has become one the top selling therapeutics in the world today and is also FDA approved for treating psoriasis and arthritis besides sciatica. This new treatment goes a long way in treating chronic sciatica as well as any disc related pain. This much needed treatment also helps in reducing the healthcare expenditure in a big way.
There are two unproven procedures which have also known to help with back pain and sciatica. They are the intradiscal electrothermoplasty and Radiofrequency Discal Nucleoplasty. These new technologies have really excited the medical fraternity as it has known to offer the possibility of treating this condition without the trauma and risk of surgery. Dr Steven Riecheimer MD finds it great that they have some new tools to provide the much needed relief for the people with this painful problem.
