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Sciatica Treatment in MRC Nagar, Chennai

When you experience pain that radiates from your lower back down to your legs, it is called sciatica. Generally, sciatica pain is experienced on only one side of your body. Many patients describe sciatica as burning or electric or stabbing pain and loss of sensation in the leg. While most people suffer from sciatica, prompt treatment can relieve pain and disease aggravation. Visit a sciatica hospital in MRC Nagar for the best sciatica treatment in Chennai.

What causes sciatica pain?

You feel sciatica pain when the sciatic nerve gets irritated or becomes pinched. Different causes of sciatica pain are:

  • Herniated disk in your spine
  • An overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae
  • Compression of the sciatic nerve due to a tumor
  • Damage to sciatic nerve by a disease such as diabetes

What are different types of sciatica pain?

Sciatica can be of different types based on the duration of the pain and whether it is on one side of the body or on both sides.

  • Acute sciatica – This pain starts all of a sudden and may not need any specific medical treatment. You can manage it at home.
  • Chronic sciatica - When you are having sciatic nerve pain for almost two months, it will be chronic pain. In such a case, you need medical attention.  
  • Alternating sciatica -  Both legs are affected alternately. It is a rare case and may be due to degeneration of the lumbar joint. 
  • Bilateral sciatica – Both the legs suffer from sciatic pain. It is very uncommon. It may occur due to wear and tear in the spinal cord.  

When do you need to see a doctor?

If you have mild symptoms of sciatica, these usually subside with time. Many sciatica patients feel better with self-care management. You should visit a doctor, if you are experiencing pain for more than a week or if it is becoming unbearable and slowly getting worse. You need immediate medical attention if:

  • Your sciatica pain gets severe in your lower back and you feel heaviness in the leg
  • You feel your one leg is weaker than the other due to sciatic pain
  • You are not able to hold urine and lose control of your bowel
  • Sudden or severe pain from an accident or any other trauma

Search online for the best sciatica treatment in Chennai or

request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, MRC Nagar, Chennai.

Call 044 6686 2000 to book an appointment

What are the risk factors for sciatica?

  • An injury to your lower back or spine may lead to sciatic pain. 
  • With age, bone tissue and disks in your spine become weak.  
  • Being overweight puts strain on your back muscles that can cause pain and other back issues.
  • Core muscles are the muscles of your back and abdomen. The stronger your core is, the more support you’ll have for your lower back.
  • Jobs with prolonged sitting may increase your risk of lower back problems.
  • Your risk of sciatica increases when you don’t follow proper body posture.
  • Having diabetes increases your risk of damage to the sciatic nerve.  
  • Osteoarthritis can make your spinal cord fragile.
  • Sedentary lifestyle causes stiffness of muscles and makes you prone to sciatica. 
  • Tobacco contains nicotine that may cause damage and increase wearing out of disks of the spinal cord.

What are the possible sciatica complications?

Sciatica is a common problem and many patients recover completely from sciatica. If you do not take medical advice, sciatica can lead to irreversible nerve damage. Therefore, you should consult a doctor if you feel weakness in the leg or loss of feeling in the leg or even loss of control over the bladder or bowel.

How can you prevent sciatica pain?

  • Be active - Exercise regularly. Strengthen your back muscles and abdominal core muscles. 
  • Correct your posture - If you are doing a desk job, make sure that your chair offers proper support to your back, legs and hands.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects - While lifting heavy objects, bend your knees and sit straight.

How is sciatica treated?

If your sciatica pain doesn't improve with self-management, your doctor may suggest the following treatments.

  • Medications – Commonly prescribed medicines include anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, antidepressants or anti-seizure medications.
  • Physical therapy - Your doctor or a physical therapist will ask you to follow a rehabilitation program to avoid recurrence of sciatic pain.
  • Steroid injections – In case of severe pain, your doctor may give an injection of corticosteroid medication into the area around the affected sciatic nerve root.
  • Surgery – Surgery is done only when you don’t feel any improvement with other approaches.

For the best sciatica treatment in MRC Nagar,

request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, MRC Nagar, Chennai.

Call 044 6686 2000 to book an appointment.

Conclusion

Sciatica is a condition that requires early diagnosis, regular exercise and lifestyle modifications to prevent a recurrence. Consult a sciatica specialist in Chennai for the best advice.

Sources referred?

Koes, B. W., van Tulder, M. W., & Peul, W. C. (2007). Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 334(7607), 1313–1317. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39223.428495.BE
Sciatica, Mayo clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
Sciatica, Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12792-sciatica

Is sciatica a common problem?

Yes, sciatica is a common health complaint. Almost 40% of people suffer from sciatica in their lifetime.

Is sciatica curable?

Yes. Most sciatica cases are successfully treated with non-surgical treatment options.

Which doctor is responsible for sciatica treatment?

Contact an orthopedic doctor or physiotherapist for relief from sciatica.

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