» »

Radiculitis - symptoms, treatment and causes. Lumbar sciatica: signs, diagnosis and treatment Types of sciatica

05.11.2019

Sciatica is a serious disease of the spine that affects the nerve endings of the spinal cord. The disease never appears on its own, it is a complication of various back problems. In 95%, the disease is a complication of osteochondrosis, and the remaining 5% are considered the result of a former injury, a variety of hernias and simply wear of the intervertebral discs and the spine itself.

What kind of disease it is, why it occurs and how to properly treat it, we will consider later in this article.

What is sciatica?

Radiculitis (radicular syndrome) is a disease of the peripheral nervous system, which occurs due to compression of the roots of the spinal cord (bundles of nerve fibers extending from the spinal cord), or nerve trunks at any level.

Mostly sciatica occurs in older people, after 30 years. As statistics show, the most mobile parts of the spine - cervical and lumbar - are subject to radiculitis. The lower back suffers especially often, as it experiences the greatest load due to the upright posture of a person.

Pain in sciatica can manifest itself as a result of heavy lifting, awkward movement, infection, or when the fibrous ring of the disc is stretched or ruptured, the gelatinous disc extends beyond its borders, and in its place is formed intervertebral hernia.

Often, a protruding disc or osteophytes compress not only the spinal root, but also nearby membranes and tissues, which in turn serve as an additional source of pain.

Classification

The classification of sciatica is as follows:

With the flow:

  1. Sharp form. Pain occurs spontaneously and develops at lightning speed. Often only pain medication helps to get rid of pain. It usually occurs with overexertion or back injury.
  2. Chronic form. Usually develops when ignored acute form when the treatment consists only in the use of painkillers.

An attack of acute sciatica occurs either for the first time, or characterizes the picture of exacerbation of chronic sciatica. The very definition of "acute" speaks of a vivid clinical symptomatology that occurs suddenly, without precursors. Chronic sciatica is characterized by an endless series of improvements with exacerbations.

Types of disease:

  • Neck sciatica. Nerve damage occurs in the area cervical spine. In this case, pain can spread to the neck, arms, shoulders, the disease manifests itself in the form of headaches.
  • Thoracic sciatica is the rarest form of pathology. The disease is accompanied by pain, numbness, tingling in the intercostal region. Pathology often develops against the background viral infections, tumor processes.
  • Lumbar sciatica often leads to a reflex curvature of the spine, as a person is constantly trying to take a position in which the pain will be less felt.
  • Lumbosacral sciatica (also known as sciatica). Most often, sciatica manifests itself in this form. The main age group is patients aged 30 to 50 years. Another characteristic feature patients susceptible to the development of this disease is their professional activity carried out under unfavorable temperatures. The area of ​​localization, as is clear from the allocation of a specific form of the name of the disease, corresponds to the lumbar spine.

Causes

Since radiculitis is not a separate disease, but only a syndrome, it can be provoked by many reasons. As you know, the spinal cord is located in our spine. From this brain come many nerve endings that coordinate and control the movements of our body. As soon as the nerve endings are damaged or inflamed, then a disease such as sciatica occurs.

There are many reasons for the appearance of sciatica, doctors distinguish the main ones:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • intervertebral hernia;
  • the appearance of bone growths on the surface of the spine;
  • oncological diseases;
  • arthritis;
  • changes in the spine provoke diseases internal organs such as the cardiovascular and urogenital system;
  • transferred stressful situation;
  • lifting heavy objects;
  • metabolic disease;
  • hormonal disbalance;
  • weakness of the muscular system;
  • infectious diseases ( , );
  • excessive salt intake.

Do not forget that the impetus for the disease in most cases are:

  • our wrong sedentary lifestyle
  • malnutrition, depleted in vitamins, liquid and essential trace elements
  • factors that impair microcirculation in tissues ( vascular diseases, stress, etc.)

Symptoms of sciatica

Allocate the main symptoms of sciatica to which you should pay attention:

  1. Pain. With this disease, the pain can be both acute and dull. Very rarely it is localized in one place, most often it gives in various departments spine.
  2. Sensory disturbance. With this disease, nerve fibers are damaged, which can lead to numbness in some parts of the body. Loss of sensation is often accompanied by a tingling or burning sensation.
  3. muscle weakness. Often, with this disease, nerve impulses are interrupted, because of which the muscles simply stop working normally. Muscle atrophy may even occur.

Signs of sciatica:

  • Stiffness of movements, violation of normal gait;
  • Reflex (unauthorized) bending of the leg at the knees when a person sits down or lies down;
  • Numbness (loss of sensation) at the site of the inflammatory process;
  • Feeling of burning and tingling in soft tissues near inflammation;
  • increased sweating;
  • Paleness of the skin of the face;
  • Weakening of muscle tissue;
  • Increased pain at night.

Other signs of sciatica include

  • dizziness;
  • Hearing loss;
  • Deterioration of visual function;
  • Violations of the activity of the organs of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems.

Pain with sciatica can have a different character. Sometimes it is chronic, aching, pulling, and in other cases it is sharp, burning, so strong that the patient cannot get up at all. Due to pain, the tone of the muscles of the lower back, back or neck is disturbed. The patient tries to take a position in which pain would be minimally expressed. He can take a half-bent posture, bend over or turn to the side.

Symptoms
Cervical
  • sharp and cutting pain in the neck, shoulders and arms;
  • headaches, especially acute in the back of the head;
  • dizziness;
  • loss of sensation in the affected areas of the body;
  • Difficulty in moving the neck and shoulders
  • weakness and malaise appear;
  • body temperature rises;
  • nausea occurs.

The pain increases with coughing, sneezing and any movement of the head.

With the formation of a disc herniation and compression of the roots, pain also extends to:

  • arm (proximal parts),
  • front surface chest or spatula.

Pain in radiculitis can be aggravated at night, in such cases, patients are forced to walk for a long time, "rocking" the sore arm.

thoracic It is located in the middle of the spine. Characteristic:
  • tingling,
  • pain with radiation
  • muscle weakness and numbness of the affected areas.
Lumbar
  • pain syndrome;
  • increased pain during stress on the spine, sudden movements, coughing, sneezing;
  • limited movement of the spine;
  • tension of the spinal muscles;
  • pallor and coldness of the skin along the pinched nerve;
  • increased sweating;
  • change in sensitivity on the part of the damaged nerve;
  • weakening of the blood supply to the arteries of the foot from the side of the lesion.
lumbosacral
  • severe back pain, with sudden movements and physical exertion;
  • an increase in pain when coughing, sneezing and tension of muscle fibers;
  • difficulty in moving the body
  • a person cannot stand on his toes and bend his toes.

How long an attack of radiculitis will last depends on the cause that caused the inflammation of the root, and on the concomitant pathology, and on the therapeutic measures taken. In most cases, with an uncomplicated course and the adequacy of the measures taken, the disease can be dealt with in 7-10 days.

If there is a sharp pain in the spine, you should immediately consult a doctor. Remember that pain can be caused not only by an attack of sciatica, but also by other diseases. For example, nephrolithiasis most often manifests itself as a sharp pain in the lower back. With this disease heating is strictly prohibited., and a patient who self-medicates with warming compresses, baths, or rubbing can cause irreparable harm to himself.

Complications

The development of complications of sciatica depends on the severity pathological process. In most cases, inflammation of the spinal roots is not aggravated by severe complications, but in the absence of a competent approach to therapy, severe complications can develop.

Violation of spinal hemodynamics against the background of herniated intervertebral discs can provoke a spinal cord infarction, after which there is a violation of motor and sensitive functions organism, which leads to its disability.

If you do not take timely treatment of diseases spinal department, then the disease can become chronic and disturb a person throughout his life. The patient will experience severe discomfort, which will seriously reduce performance.

Diagnostics

Radiculitis is mostly dealt with by neuropathologists. But if it is a manifestation of diseases of the spine (intervertebral hernia or discogenic sciatica, spinal injuries, and so on), doctors can help:

  • vertebrologists;
  • traumatologists-orthopedists;
  • neurosurgeons.

Accordingly, for the correct diagnosis, a number of measures should be taken, which include the following:

  1. determination of symptoms (the nature and intensity of pain sensations, their duration, the presence of disturbances in sensitivity);
  2. examination to determine muscle strength and range of motion;
  3. neurological examination, which is reduced to a reflex test of sensitivity and activity;
  4. radiography, which determines the degree of degenerative changes;
  5. MRI, CT, visualizing root compression;
  6. EMG, which reveals the degree of damage to nerve fibers.

Treatment of sciatica

Despite the fact that sciatica is a radicular syndrome, treatment should still go beyond the relief of pain irritation. And this means that sciatica must be treated in a complex way - just like we would treat osteochondrosis, hernia, trauma, displacement and any other disease that caused radiculopathy.

In case of emergency treatment of attacks of sciatica, the main thing is to relieve pain and ensure the immobility of the damaged area of ​​the spine in order to accelerate its recovery. Painkillers, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain.

To help the body cope with injury, must be respected bed rest. Wherein sleeping area the patient should be rigid; for this, a board is placed under the mattress.

Medications

There are many different ways to take medications:

Anesthetic injections are prescribed for severe pain syndrome - Voltaren, Reopirin. If rheumatism is of a protracted nature, injections of B vitamins are prescribed. Injections of muscle relaxants will help relax the tight muscles that compress the nerve endings - Riboxin, Mydocalm. Neurotopes improve the permeability of nerve impulses - Milgama, Neurobion.

  1. Glucocorticoids prescribed in the absence of a positive result from painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs - Medopred, Lemod.
  2. You need to use and preparations for external use- pepper patch, warming ointments with bee and snake venom, pepper (Viprosal, Finalgon).
  3. In severe cases, blockade with high doses of vitamin B12, Hydrocortisone is used. For intravenous injections, Relanium, Diphenhydramine are used.
  4. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blocking the synthesis involved in inflammatory process prostaglandins.
  5. Muscle relaxers- they are treated by relaxing muscle spasms.

Ointments for sciatica

There are the following types of ointments for sciatica:

  • Painkillers;
  • warming;
  • Improving blood supply.

Ointments, which include bee venom, are most effective in the treatment. Such drugs reduce pain, distract a person, relieve inflammation. Ointment "Viprosal" with snake venom is one of the most common. "Finalgon" helps well, but it is very burning (especially when sweating). Bandages with belladonna or pepper help relieve pain.

Rubbing and ointments also play an essential role in the treatment, the only thing is that this procedure must be carried out correctly.

  • So, when rubbing, it is necessary that the hands of the one who conducts it are warm.
  • The sore spot is stroked upwards for about 10-20 minutes, if the pain is too intense in manifestation, then rubbing is carried out for about 5 minutes.
  • Next, the sore spot needs to be “insulated”, wrapped up for warming up.

Physiotherapy

Physical procedures are carried out after the relief of an acute attack of sciatica. Phonophoresis with hydrocortisone, paraffin treatment, darsonvalization can be prescribed. These procedures enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment by relieving muscle spasm, reducing pain and increasing blood flow in damaged tissues.

Massage

Massage for sciatica is indicated, but not always. It cannot be done in the aggravation phase. The massage session lasts about half an hour. It must be done daily. You need to perform massage along the lymphatic flow. Self-massage is performed using a bath towel (rubbing the neck and back), kneading the neck and shoulder area with your fingers.

Pharmacopuncture

Pharmacopuncture is a special type of therapy in which antihomotoxic drugs are injected into biologically active points to a depth of 5 mm. Sessions are held every 3 days. This method of treatment helps to avoid many side effects that may occur when taking medications.

Folk remedies

Before using folk methods from sciatica, be sure to consult a doctor.

  1. In equal proportions, take thyme, chamomile, St. John's wort, black elderberry color, prepare a hot infusion from this mixture and make hot compresses at night.
  2. Sweet clover. Taking a sweet clover bath has an anti-inflammatory effect. To prepare it, you need to pour 500 g of grated sweet clover grass into 10 liters of boiling water, cover the bucket, let the product brew for about 40 minutes, strain and pour into the bath, adding the required amount of water to it.
  3. Pour boiling water over birch leaves, apply them in a thick layer on the sore spot, wrapping with oilcloth or paper, and keep for at least 1.5 hours. Repeat the procedure 2 times (morning and evening).
  4. Compresses with black radish at night: grate the radish, strain, soak the tissue with the resulting juice and apply on the sore back area.
  5. Pour 1 tbsp. a spoonful of buds or aspen leaves 1 cup boiling water, leave for 1 hour and drink 1-2 tbsp. spoons 5-6 times a day.
  6. Sawdust from sciatica. Brew fresh sawdust with boiling water, drain the water after 20 minutes, squeeze the sawdust. Put them on a cotton cloth, cover with gauze on top and lie down on them, warmly covered. Do the procedure before going to bed.
  7. For sciatica or back pain, it is recommended to apply a compress of ornamental pottery clay mixed with wine vinegar in a ratio of 1:2 or 1:1 once a day for 2 hours on a sore spot. You can rub your lower back with this mixture. Clay should be washed off 2 days after rubbing.
  8. Pour 1 tablespoon of buds or aspen leaves 1 cup boiling water, leave for 1 hour and drink 1-2 tablespoons 5-6 times a day. Pour boiling water over aspen leaves, wrap in oilcloth and use for compresses and lotions for sciatica.

Prevention

Prevention of sciatica implies the elimination of the causes that can provoke it, among the preventive measures include:

  • development of normal posture;
  • fight against hypodynamia;
  • prevention of hypothermia, elimination of long-term static load;
  • development of normal posture;
  • organization of a normal schedule, which implies a competent alternation of work and rest;
  • treatment and prevention of diseases of infectious genesis that can provoke radicular syndrome.

Prevention of acute radiculitis, as well as chronic exacerbations, is as follows:

  • limitation of heavy physical exertion, especially weight lifting, if there is still a need to perform heavy work, then a corset should be worn;
  • avoidance of a long stay in an inclined position;
  • avoidance of hypothermia, especially in the lumbar region;
  • the fight against excess weight, due to which the load on the spine increases;
  • development of a natural muscular corset (swimming, performing a special set of exercises).

Thus, it should be noted that sciatica may appear as a result of running treatment or self-treatment of osteochondrosis in any part of the spine. It is caused by compression or infringement of the roots by the vertebrae between which they are located.

The cause of compression may be various types deformities, injuries, birth defects, infectious diseases, hypothermia, stress, metabolic disorders, inactive or overly active lifestyle, etc.

Radiculopathy (sciatica) in neurology refers to symptoms that occur during inflammatory processes or compression of the bundle of nerve endings extending from the spinal cord. In this case, there may be a spread of pain along the location of the nerve fibers, a feeling of weakness in the muscles, accompanied by tingling, numbness in the problem area.

In most cases of sciatica, the signs of the disease appear due to the presence of an intervertebral hernia. The cartilage present in the intervertebral space plays the role of an elastic pad that acts as a shock absorber, as well as giving the entire spinal column flexibility and mobility.

Over time, cartilage tissues wear out, deform, and the process of protrusion of cartilage fragments into the spinal canal can occur. The resulting deformation changes, in most cases, create a compression effect - an irritating effect on the nerve bundles emerging from the spinal trunk.

In other situations, the nerve may be affected by: overgrown bone tissue, narrowing of the vertebral foramina or foraminal passages. Constant compression of the nerve roots and the process of their inflammation can be one of the main factors provoking chronic painful conditions along the course of the nerve fibers. The choice of treatment in this case depends on what exactly caused the sciatica: hernia, bone growth or stenosis.

Causes

The anatomical factor causing radiculopathy may be the result of functional disorders of the nerve fibers. Compression or compression of the nerve causes the manifestation of pain symptoms in the area of ​​the lower back (lower back and sacrum), the region of the cervical vertebrae with the spread of pain in the limb, as well as weakening muscle tissue, the presence of the effect of numbness, burning and tingling.

The base of the nerve ending can be affected by deformation changes in the cartilage in the intervertebral space, bone growths (osteophytes) and bone degeneration. Many patients complain of periodic pain varying degrees of intensity in the area of ​​the entire back and limbs, partial loss of sensitivity, weakening of muscles, etc.

Radiculitis can manifest itself in the thoracic, lumbar (lumbosacral), cervical, cervicothoracic, and cervicobrachial.

All efforts in the treatment of the disease are aimed not only at eliminating the painful symptoms, but also getting rid of the factor that caused it.


The manifestation of radiculopathy can occur when:

  • the appearance of hernias of cartilaginous discs in the area of ​​the waist, sacrum, neck and thoracic vertebrae;
  • deformations, structural changes in the hard and soft tissues of the body, degeneration of discs and bones;
  • narrowing of the passages of the spinal canal;
  • narrowing of the foraminal passages;
  • the presence of tumors, neoplasms.

thoracic

In this case, the disease affects the middle region of the back - the thoracic vertebrae, which belong to the thoracic region, and there are twelve of them in total. Symptoms are very specific for sciatica: pain with pain spreading to the limbs, weakened muscles with the presence of symptoms of burning, tingling.

Among all other types of this disease, it is quite rare to find thoracic sciatica in patients, since the upper part of the spine is quite strong and has additional support in the form of ribs. In addition, it has a slight flexibility, as a result of which age-related changes are not so obvious.

The factors provoking thoracic radiculopathy include: disc herniation in varying degrees of manifestation, serious spinal injuries, growth and destruction of bone tissue, as well as narrowing of the spinal canal, foraminal passages, the formation of growths and inflammation of the joints.

Lumbar (lumbosacral)

This type of disease is localized in the lumbar zone, which consists of five mobile vertebrae and is the center of gravity. human body. Symptoms are standard: painful sensations with the spread of pain in the limbs, weakening of muscle tissue, burning, tingling.

Radiculitis of the lumbar zone has a second name - sciatica. This is due to the fact that with this type of disease, irritation occurs in a significant part of the entire nervous system of the human body - the sciatic nerve. In this case, acute pain occurs in the buttocks, thigh, legs, and in the direction of the nerve fibers reach the feet.

The causes of lumbosacral radiculitis are considered by experts to be different degrees of development of herniated discs, injuries (fractures) of the spine, the formation of bone growths, as well as narrowing of the spinal and foraminal canals, displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other.

Pain in the defeat of the lumbosacral region is concentrated near the sciatic nerve, spreading along the fibers to the hips and legs. For the patient, finding a comfortable position when walking, standing or lying down is a rather serious problem. Sharp or dull aching painful sensations may appear unexpectedly with normal ranges of motion, inclinations. This may change the degree of sensitivity in the limbs, along with a decrease in muscle strength.

Cervical

The affected area is located in the region of the cervical vertebrae. Symptoms of cervical sciatica: pain in the left, right side of the neck (depending on the location of the damaged root), impaired sensitivity in the affected area, increasing weakening of muscle strength.

Patients with cervical sciatica present with disc changes, hernias of varying degrees of development, narrowing of the foraminal passages, or inflammation of the joints. Irradiation of symptoms occurs in the arms, shoulder area.

About seven vertebrae of the cervical region (from C1 to C7) are eight pairs of nerve roots, which are conductors of electrical impulses from the central nervous system and spinal cord.

The zone of innervation is directly dependent on each root, and each pair of nerve fibers corresponds to a certain area of ​​responsibility:

  • C1 and C2 - head;
  • C3 and C4 - abdominal obstruction (diaphragm);
  • C5 - organs of the upper body;
  • C6 - wrists, biceps brachii;
  • C7 - triceps muscle;
  • C8 - hands.

Symptoms of the disease: pain in the neck, passing to the shoulder girdle, hands, fingers. The manifestation of acute pain can be sudden, with an awkward or sharp movement of the neck, turning the head. Mitigation of painful manifestations can occur with slow movements, but finding a comfortable position for sleeping can be very difficult.

Etiology and pathogenesis

Doctors call the cause of the disease osteochondrosis, which in recent decades has been detected in people of a fairly young age, and even in children. Clinical manifestations Everyone feels the disease, with rare exceptions. With age, disc displacement, their deformation, the development of hernias can occur, which can provoke both congenital problems of the body and acquired ones.

Neoplasms that grow in the area of ​​the spinal column or in the adjacent area most often create a compression effect in the region of the nerve roots, which can lead to the development of sciatica, radiculoneuritis. Changes in the condition of the spine can occur due to gynecological problems, viral and infectious diseases, regular weight lifting, excessive load, hypothermia. Dystrophic changes can lead to narrowing of the intervertebral foramina, the nerve roots begin to experience pressure, showing symptoms of sciatica.

Forms of the disease

The course of the disease can occur in primary and secondary form. A provoking factor for the occurrence of primary radiculitis may be a disease of a viral or infectious nature.

Reason for development secondary view radiculitis can consist in dystrophic bone deformities, injuries, tumors of various origins, intoxication, impaired blood flow, etc. The location of the affected area depends on the degree of infringement of the nerve roots and their location (in the lumbar, sacral, cervicothoracic zone, etc.), in this connection, the development of radiculoneuritis, polyradiculoneuritis may occur.

The clinical picture of all types of the disease is similar: the presence of pain in the area of ​​​​innervation of nerve fibers, increased pain during awkward movements, coughing, sneezing. The spine is limited in movement, the patient from time to time tries to take pain-relieving positions, and with slight pressure on the affected area (the zone of the spinous processes and paravertebral points), acute pain occurs.

The course of the radicular syndrome has several stages:

  • Stage 1 (neurological) - it is characterized by hypersensitivity, the sudden onset of acute pain, the muscles are tense, the paravertebral points are very painful when touched;
  • Stage 2 (neurotic) - characterized by a decrease in sensitivity in the region of the nerve bundles, pain sensations become less acute, the periosteal reflex fades, the presence of partial malnutrition is stated. Muscle tension and acute pain in the affected area persists.

Most often, patients have signs of radicular syndrome in the lower back (lower back and sacrum), since this part of the body experiences maximum functional loads. As a result, changes in the intervertebral discs can be significant even in people over the age of 30 years.

The development of the radicular process can occur both on one side of the spinal column, and on both sides simultaneously. Symptoms present as a sharp, burning pain in the lower spine that may radiate to the buttocks and legs, motor functions of the lumbosacral region are limited, weakness is observed in the muscles. At later stages, vegetative and trophic disorders may occur, as well as sensitivity disorders in the area of ​​the disease.

For example, with problems with the fourth lumbar root, pain will be present in the lumbar region, anterior inside thighs and lower legs, the edge of the foot. Violations in the fifth vertebra cause pain in the lumbar region and upper parts of the gluteal zone, as well as the posterior lateral surface of the lower leg and the back of the foot.

Reflex syndromes that occur in the intervertebral disc when the annulus fibrosus, intervertebral ligament and joint capsule are irritated belong to the same group, called “sciatica” by experts.

This category includes lumbalgia and lumbago, lumboischialgia, neuromuscular tissue disorders, as well as a disease accompanied by lumbosacral, sacroiliac syndromes, inflammation of the hip, knee, ankle joints.

Symptoms

The term radiculopathy (sciatica) can describe multiple symptoms that occur for a single reason - compression of the nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord. It is difficult to call sciatica an independent disease, since it combines a complex of symptoms: starting with pain and ending with a feeling of numbness, burning in the limbs, muscle weakness, etc.

IN human body in total there are 31 pairs of nerve roots extending from the spinal canal. By different reasons the spatial passages through which the endings pass can narrow, creating constant pressure on the nerves. The compression effect in this case can be caused by a disc herniation in the various stages development, narrowing of the vertebral foramens, various kinds of tumors, injuries, infectious diseases etc.

The most common symptoms of sciatica may be dull periodic or sharp pain, spreading to the limbs. Pain is a signal from the body that nerve fibers are being damaged.

The compression created for various reasons entails a violation of sensitivity in the affected areas and limbs, since the transmission of impulse from the spinal cord to the muscles is weakened. In addition, due to the same reason, there is weakness, lethargy of muscle tissues, and with a long absence of impulses - muscle atrophy, paresis.

Diagnosis and how to treat

Since sciatica itself is not a disease and is a set of symptoms, the specialist needs to identify which nerve root damage causes their manifestation. There can be several reasons for the occurrence of radiculopathy: a hernia or protrusion of the intervertebral disc, stenosis, etc.

Diagnosis of sciatica is carried out using:

  • determination of characteristic symptoms (intensity, duration of pain, degree of sensitivity in the affected areas, etc.);
  • visual examination, in order to identify the most painful places, determine muscle strength and assess the mobility of the spine;
  • neurological examination (checking reflex activity);
  • x-ray examination, which helps to establish the degree of deformation and degenerative changes;
  • MRI, computed tomography(methods will help to clearly visualize the compression of the nerve bundles);
  • EMG, which allows you to determine how damaged the nerve fibers are.

Therapeutic procedures and drugs are prescribed depending on the severity of pain symptoms, violations of the sensitivity of body parts and changes in motor skills. The vast majority of cases are amenable to conservative treatment of sciatica.

Medicines are prescribed by a doctor to relieve pain and inflammation, reduce swelling.

Physiotherapy techniques form the basis conservative treatment, because they give positive results: improve blood flow in the affected areas, reduce pain, contribute to a better passage of impulses.

In non-acute conditions of the patient, and manual therapy techniques have proven to be effective.

Acupuncture procedures also provide positive impact on the active points of the body, as a result of which the passage of impulses along the nerve endings can significantly improve.

Moderate physical activity (exercise therapy) under the supervision of a specialist gives a positive effect, restoring the natural biomechanics of the spine and the stereotype of motor functions.

Most clinics for the treatment and prevention of radiculopathy use, in addition to traditional therapy, non-drug methods. The complex of therapeutic measures allows you to save the patient from the symptoms of the disease, significantly reduce the risk of relapse, and includes:

  • magnetopuncture;
  • vacuum methods of therapy;
  • dry traction;
  • manual therapy techniques used in a gentle mode;
  • laser therapy;
  • pharmacopuncture;
  • acupuncture;
  • electrical stimulation techniques.

The number of sessions performed can be from 10 to 15 procedures, while pain is eliminated in the first three sessions.

For the period of treatment, the patient must exclude any load on the affected area of ​​​​the back, otherwise, with constant irritation of the nerve roots, the procedures will not bring the desired effect. It is also necessary to take anti-inflammatory, analgesic drugs.

Such a common diagnosis in neurology as sciatica is made to many patients. But what is it, and how to help a person suffering from his attacks?

Radiculitis, or, as it is customary to designate it in medical practice, radiculopathy, are terms that literally refer to a disease of the peripheral nervous system. It manifests itself in the form of an acute or chronic inflammatory process that occurs in bundles of nerve fibers that branch off from the spinal cord.

Radiculitis

There are several forms of radiculopathy:

  • cervical;
  • chest;
  • lumbar;
  • sacral;
  • coccygeal.

Very often, several sections of the spinal column are affected simultaneously, and then the form of sciatica becomes mixed, for example, lumbosacral.

Cause

Experts see the main cause of discogenic radiculopathy (banal radiculitis) in irreversible, i.e. degenerative damage (or, more simply, wear!) of intervertebral cartilage discs.

Such a lesion is associated with the destruction of the fibrous ring, and the main reason for this is osteochondrosis.

For various reasons, the cartilaginous layer between the bones of the spinal column becomes thinner, which leads to a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae and infringement of nerve fibers.

It is important to know! In severe cases, abrasion occurs on the surface of unprotected bone tissue that experiences everyday stress.

Additionally, characteristic bone and salt outgrowths appear on the edges of the vertebrae, aggravating the pinched nerves during physical activity.

In addition, they irritate the nervous tissue in osteochondrosis and muscle contractions that occur during hypothermia, intoxication and trauma.

Symptoms

The first thing that a patient with sciatica feels is the appearance of acute pain in the inflamed area. In addition, the following are additionally noted:

  1. violation of the sensitivity of adjacent parts of the body;
  2. movement disorders.

In the absence of proper treatment, the disease progresses to chronic form, which is difficult to treat and is fraught with periodic exacerbations.

Depending on which of the five sections of the spinal column is involved in the inflammatory process, an attack of sciatica may differ in its clinical signs.

Related video:

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is carried out by specialists medical profile in a medical setting.

Including, the doctor resorts to such research methods as:

  • computed and magnetic resonance imaging;
  • radiography;
  • scanning of the spinal column;
  • blood and urine tests;
  • ultrasonography.

Treatment

As well as setting the correct diagnosis, the appointment of adequate treatment is in the exclusive competence of the attending neurologist.

Like any therapy, the main goal is to eliminate the causes of the disease. For this, the patient, along with the relief of pain, produces:

  • physiotherapy;
  • therapeutic technique for stretching the spine.

When attacks of acute sciatica appear, the very first aid is expressed in providing a person with complete rest.
To do this, he is placed on a bed with a hard mattress, and unbearable pains are stopped with painkillers and a novocaine blockade is put. Additionally, anti-inflammatory therapy is carried out.

It is important to know! The symptoms of sciatica are easy for the layman to confuse with the signs of others. serious illnesses, in which heating is contraindicated. Therefore, patients are strictly forbidden to make their own decisions about anesthesia and the effect of heat on the area of ​​pain.

In conditions outside the hospital, patients are recommended special ointments and rubbing agents, which are applied with light massage movements to the zones of the painful reaction. When performing massage or rubbing, it is important to ensure that the masseur's hands are not dry and cold.

sciatica

This is the most common form of the disease, since the lumbar region experiences the greatest mechanical impact when the body moves.

It is important to know! In the sacral region is the largest sciatic nerve (or, as it is also called, sciatica). Therefore, this form is very painful for patients.

Symptoms

The affected nerve roots of the lumbar and sacral sections make themselves felt with sharp pains in
relevant areas of the back:

  1. lower back;
  2. sacrum.

On this clinical symptoms do not end. Pain extends to the buttocks, with recoil throughout lower extremities V:

  • hip;
  • shin;
  • foot including heel.

A characteristic feature of such pains is their intensification during movement, so patients try to ensure their peace as much as possible.

In addition to pain, there are sensations of coldness of the legs, numbness of parts of the body adjacent to the spine, crawling, loss of pain and temperature sensitivity.

Treatment

With exacerbations, bed rest is indicated, but not longer than five days!

In general, the treatment of such a disease is extremely complex, aimed at both eradicating the causes and restoring the lost functioning of the spinal column.

Drug treatment includes the use of several groups of drugs:

  • anti-inflammatory, - Diclofenac, etc.;
  • local pain medications.

In addition, injections and tablets of vitamin-containing preparations of group B are shown.
Additionally, the patient is recommended massotherapy and special exercises restoring muscle activity (exercise therapy).

Quite justified is the treatment of lumbar sciatica at home with various folk remedies of both plant and animal origin, as well as clay applications.

Many patients resort to periodic wearing on the affected area of ​​​​such a tested folk remedies, like a belt from sciatica, made on the basis of pure animal wool - sheep, camel, goats and even dogs.

Various ointments based on herbs and honey are shown, as well as mustard and pepper plasters stimulating microcirculation.

Of the means of physiotherapy, dynamic electricity and electrophoresis.

cervical sciatica

Cervical radiculopathy is formed around the age of forty as a result of irritation of the nerve roots in the cervical vertebrae.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of cervical and cervico-shoulder sciatica are intense painful sensations in the back of the head, neck, transmitted to the shoulders and shoulder blades. One-sided and sudden, the pain becomes more acute with movements of the head and hands, coughing and sneezing.

Advanced cases cause burning, tingling, loss of pain and thermal sensitivity in the skin of the hands. The muscles of the hands become inactive, weak.

Treatment

The treatment of this form of the disease is similar to the treatment of the lumbosacral region: they resort to drugs, physiotherapy and gymnastics in a complex way.

Thoracic sciatica

This is the rarest form of sciatica, most often caused by viruses, for example, leading to the disease shingles.

In addition, this form of the disease leads to:

  • tumor processes in the chest area;
  • adhesion formation.

Symptoms

Like other forms of sciatica, the symptoms of chest pain are expressed by tingling, numbness and pain in the spaces between the ribs - intercostal neuralgia occurs, which is especially aggravated by physical activity.

At the same time, patients complain of muscle weakness, especially in the chest area.

Treatment

The main treatment does not differ from the usual methods of treating a common form of sciatica, and can be supplemented by manual therapy methods, mud therapy and other specific methods in a sanatorium.

Alternative methods of treatment of sciatica

In any case, home treatment of radiculopathy should still be under the supervision of a medical specialist!

Almost all available for home relief of the patient's condition are natural painkillers.

herbal remedies

Many suffering from radiculitis attacks are well helped by horseradish treatment in the form of its tincture, prepared with one part of the juice of this burning root, and one part of water.

The solution is rubbed into the areas of greatest pain, and immediately insulated with woolen clothing to enhance the effect.

Fir oil

This wonderful herbal remedy is used in a course - for 10-15 days daily rubbing it into the skin of the back and legs.

The effect of the oil is enhanced if warming procedures were previously carried out, or the patient took a hot bath.

Nettle

In folk medicine, the treatment of radiculitis attacks with nettles is very popular. To do this, use fresh, green leaves, applying them to the surface of the skin.

In the winter season, dried leaves are useless; instead, nettles are frozen from summer.

mustard powder

This herbal remedy is traditionally used by applying pharmacy mustard plasters to the areas affected by sciatica, or by taking a mustard bath.

For a bath, about 350 grams of powder is diluted warm water, after which it is poured into a bath filled with warm water (39 degrees for women, and not higher than 42 for men), and stirred.

The bath is taken for about fifteen minutes. For patients with heart problems, the length of stay in a hot bath is reduced to five minutes.

burdock

The treatment of sciatica with burdock is successfully practiced, for which a fresh leaf of this plant is rinsed and fixed at the site of inflammation. Similarly, dried leaves are used in winter.

Black radish

The usual raw black radish also helps, which is rubbed on a fine grater, and applied in the form of gruel to the body, where the attacks are most felt. Pounded onions are sometimes added to the radish to enhance its medicinal qualities.

The application is kept for about forty minutes, after which the skin is wiped with a damp cloth.

If you use not gruel, but radish juice compresses, which are soaked in pieces of clean, dense fabric. Such compresses are applied to areas of the spinal column for more long time, for at least two or three days.

Potato treatment

To alleviate the patient's condition during mild attacks, two types of potato tubers are used:

  • raw;
  • boiled.

A gruel is prepared from raw potatoes, chopping it in any convenient way. Then it is diluted with the same volume of gasoline, applied to a thick cloth, which is applied to the lower back or thoracic region.

Withstand the compress for up to 16 minutes, after which the skin is wiped with a cloth moistened with water.

Boiled half a kilo of potatoes is mashed (without adding oil, salt and milk!), And mixed with two tablespoons of baking soda. The finished mixture is distributed over gauze, folded two or three times, and the sore spot is wrapped. A film is applied on top, and insulated with woolen things.

Ointment based on garlic

Preparing is easy: one weight raw garlic pounded, and mixed with two weights of lard from the entrails of a pig. The finished composition is stored in an opaque jar in the refrigerator.

The ointment is used every day, in a warm form, rubbing with massage movements into the affected areas.
Folk methods of non-vegetative composition n

Creolin

This is ordinary potter's clay, well-purified and safe.

When treating with creolin, it is combined with wine or apple cider vinegar in a ratio of 1 to 1, or one to two, and distribute the resulting viscous "dough" on the skin.

Clay remains on the body for up to two days, after which it is simply washed off.

"Furacilin mustard plasters"

A solution is prepared: a quarter of a tablet of furacilin is dissolved in fifty milliliters of water. Next, a full spoonful of bee honey is stirred in the solution, and mustard plasters are lowered into it.

The procedure is carried out at night: after keeping the mustard plasters for 15-20 minutes, they are removed, and a film and warm cloth are put in their place. So they sleep all night.

Natural honey

It is very useful to rub the area of ​​​​the spinal column with real honey, on top of which ordinary mustard plasters are applied, and they are kept, warming the area, for up to twenty minutes.

bee venom

Apitherapy is not limited to medotherapy! Quite effectively, strong attacks are stopped by bee stings, which secrete poison from their sting, which contains biologically active substance apitoxin (about 0.3 grams per bite).

In addition, when stinging, the tissue receives the enzyme adolapin, which is a natural analgesic, more powerful than its chemical counterparts.

In addition, bee stings:

  • have an analgesic effect;
  • start the natural processes of self-healing of the body;
  • relieve muscle spasms;
  • enhance blood microcirculation;
  • remove inflammatory processes.

With the help of tweezers, the bee is seated on the skin, waiting for the bite, after which it is removed, and the skin is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.

Some people may have a severe allergic reaction to bee venom. To prevent this from happening, a provocative test is performed before treatment.

Unfortunately, the prospects for completely getting rid of sciatica are practically zero, since such a condition is difficult to cure. Usually the patient has to get used to the pathology, adapting to the new rules of life.

Back pain currently affects a large part of the population of our country. But most back diseases have very similar symptoms or they are interconnected with each other and manifest themselves in a complex way. Particular importance is attached to such an ailment as sciatica, its treatment is currently effective and favorable. So, what the disease is, what symptoms it accompanies and how it is treated, we will talk further.

[ Hide ]

Features of the disease

What is sciatica and how is it treated? Radiculitis is a disease that is characterized by damage to the roots of the spinal cord. These lesions cause severe or moderate pain, decreased motor function and muscle mass. Also in the affected area there is a decrease in sensitivity and reflexes.

What is dangerous?

The question of how to cure sciatica is very important. If left untreated, it can lead to various complications. The most dangerous are ischemia and spinal cord infarction. Sciatica can occur in any part of the spine. It is important that acute sciatica is not a separate disease, but a consequence of any problems in your body.

There are several types of disease. This classification was carried out depending on which part of the spine the inflammation of the roots occurred:

  1. Cervical. Your neck hurts on one side, gives to the shoulder girdle or shoulder on the same side. The pain is aggravated by movement.
  2. Thoracic. There is pain in the back on one side, it spreads along the costal arch.
  3. Lumbar. There is intense pain when bending over, it radiates to the buttock and the back of the leg. The pain is one-sided, burning and severe.

Causes

Radiculitis cannot just happen. This disease occurs due to some change in the body. The most common causes of sciatica:

  1. Damage to nerve endings, tumors in the nervous system, compression of nerve channels. Often, an intervertebral hernia provokes the appearance of an ailment.
  2. Osteochondrosis. This is the most common cause of the disease. Most of the people suffering from it have manifestations of sciatica.
  3. Spinal injury.
  4. High exercise stress. Due to overstrain of the muscles, their further inflammation and squeezing is possible.
  5. Stress.
  6. Hypothermia, viral infections.
  7. Age. It can be explained by the fact that over time, minerals are washed out of the body, and this leads to problems with the spine and nerves.

Symptoms of the disease

The main symptom is pain. To understand and identify sciatica, you need to understand what kind of pain you are experiencing:

  • at first it is very sharp, you experience the so-called "lumbago";
  • severe pain persists throughout the acute period;
  • in the place where the root is inflamed, you experience a burning sensation;
  • pain may increase or decrease. It depends on what state you are in (rest or exercise).

Signs of radiculitis are the so-called night pains, when the pain intensifies at night and does not calm down for a long time. Another characteristic symptom is a decrease in sensitivity in the area of ​​the affected root (for example, a violation of the extensor function of the fingers). Such symptoms of sciatica as dizziness that appear in the afternoon, headache aggravated by tilting or turning, nausea. With lumbar sciatica, patients report pain in the lower abdomen and when urinating.

Diagnostics

The good news is that diagnosing the disease is easy. What to do with sciatica? Go to the doctor, he will quickly diagnose and prescribe treatment for sciatica. The main detection method is palpation. Thus, a focus of intense pain is revealed.

  1. X-ray. He can use different departments, make several projections. Gives a complete picture of what the pathology is.
  2. Tomography. The advantage of this procedure is that it allows you to determine not only the degree of compression of the root, but also the cause.
  3. Electromyography. Necessary for diagnosing nerves and how impulses pass through nerve fibers.
  4. Blood analysis.

If the result and a quick recovery are important to you, then only a doctor can help with this. Which doctor treats sciatica? First of all, a neurologist.

Remedies can be used to mitigate disturbing factors traditional medicine. Compresses are very popular, which should relieve inflammation. They may include garlic, chamomile, White clay etc. A sciatica belt can also help alleviate your condition.

How is the treatment carried out?

Treatment of sciatica should be comprehensive, simultaneously affecting all areas. It is not enough, for example, to relieve pain, because without proper complete treatment the pain will definitely come back. How to quickly cure sciatica? There are many treatment options, and which one to choose, the doctor will tell you.

Particular attention should be paid to preventive measures:

  • maintaining correct posture;
  • back strengthening;
  • choosing the right mattress and pillow;
  • compliance with safety rules when lifting weights;
  • avoiding awkward postures when sitting and standing;
  • moderate but regular exercise and proper nutrition;
  • sciatica belt.

The role of diet in illness cannot be underestimated, since proper nutrition (often, but in small portions) will contribute to the timely and high-quality assimilation of prescribed drugs. In addition, both the sick and healthy person change your sitting posture regularly. You can get up and do the simplest exercises or just walk.

Medical pain relief

Possibly with anti-inflammatory drugs. The most popular are Diclofenac and Ibuprofen. The doctor may prescribe medicine in the form of injections, tablets and ointments. It depends on the severity of the pain and the stage of the disease. Drugs are also needed to reduce spasms in the area of ​​the affected nerve root (these include Robaksin, Metacarbomol). To relieve swelling of nerve formations, diuretics are used.

Novocaine blockades are used if the pain cannot be tolerated and lighter drugs do not bring relief. Often they inject novocaine with vitamins, they perfectly relieve an attack of sciatica. A solution of novocaine is injected directly into the damaged area. The resolving effect is achieved with the help of Lidaza. It is also possible to use spot preparations based on dextrose, glycerin and water.

In the complex, B vitamins and soothing tablets can be prescribed. The former are necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system, the latter are prescribed to relieve the moral burden in case of pain and stress.

Mechanical methods

They consist in applying a fixing bandage or a special corset. The essence of their use is that they fix the damaged area and protect against sudden movements. And for a favorable outcome of the disease, such rest is simply necessary. But you can’t wear such bandages all the time, as stagnation in the tissues and swelling are possible, so it’s better to take breaks.

This also includes a belt from sciatica. They are infrared, from animal hair, magnetic, from natural fur. A belt from sciatica is considered enough in an efficient way treatment. They wear it for a long time during the day, but breaks for rest are required.

Also effective:


Apitherapy

How to treat sciatica in this way? Medicinal properties bee venom help the body release free reserves to fight the disease. Bee venom is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that helps to fight pain. To use this method must be approached with caution, as there are many contraindications, in particular, allergic reactions. However, the method is effective and helps effectively, the course of treatment is on average 10-20 sessions, which are recommended every other day.

ethnoscience

It can be effective, but is usually used in conjunction with traditional methods. Among the most common methods are a garlic compress and a salt compress. The belt from sciatica will increase the therapeutic effect of this method.

Surgical intervention

It is carried out infrequently, it consists in decompression of the spine. The operation is carried out under general anesthesia. This method used only if a pinched nerve is diagnosed. During the operation, the cause of the infringement is eliminated mechanically.

It is important to remember that if you are diagnosed with radiculitis, then you need to monitor the disease even during remission. The positive point is that the acute period of the disease is successfully cured. Doctors recommend taking preventive measures every 4-6 months. Be healthy!

Video "Symptoms and causes of sciatica"

This form explains in detail what are the causes of the disease and its symptoms.

Speaking of radiculitis so familiar to us, we first of all mean back pain that arose for reasons unknown to us. In fact, the cause of the pain symptom in sciatica is irritation of the nerve root. Thus, sciatica is not an independent disease, but a consequence of the impact on this root of some processes. Therefore, if the treatment is focused only on eliminating the painful irritation itself, then sciatica cannot be cured.

Radiculitis: main causes and symptoms

Why is sciatica not limited to one attack, but comes back again and again and takes, as doctors say, a chronic form? This is due to the fact that patients try to treat only the symptoms, making their own diagnoses, not reaching the very essence of the problem and thereby not completing the treatment..

Sciatica and its treatment is actually not as simple a problem as it might seem. It can be based not on one disease, but on a number of diseases:

Almost 90% is DDP (degenerative-dystrophic process) by the type of osteochondrosis:

  • Spondyloarthritis
  • Spondylitis with bony marginal osteophytes

The radicular symptom in these processes occurs when the nerve is affected.:

  • hernial protrusion
  • growths
  • walls of the central or lateral (foraminal) canals ( the narrowing of the channels itself is called stenosis)

Other causes of radiculopathy

  • Osteoporosis (decrease in bone density, leading to gradual destructive changes in the spine)
  • "Fresh" and old injuries
  • Deforming changes (scoliosis, kyphosis, kyphoscoliosis)
  • Muscle inflammation (myositis) caused by hypothermia and physical fatigue
  • Tumors of the spine or spinal cord
  • Infectious inflammatory processes in the spine
  • Diseases of organs located in the zone of innervation of the spinal nerve

Therefore, the diagnosis of sciatica sometimes leads to completely unexpected "surprises" and requires a thorough study of the anamnesis..

Diagnostics

Of great importance is not only an examination and examination by a doctor with detailed questions about accompanying symptoms, but also a more accurate diagnosis:

  • in multiple projections
  • Ultrasound examination
  • Electroneuromyographic studies
  • Densitometry and other methods

Symptoms of sciatica

Radiculitis has symptoms that are different in nature. This is not always only pain, which is not at all as terrible as many people think. A pain symptom suggests that the process has not yet started and is subject to treatment. If sciatica is already long-term and chronic, then the nerve that is “flagrant” due to constant irritation slowly begins to die, the red color of the inflammation disappears, and the nerve gradually turns white.


The ongoing processes with the nerves are externally accompanied by symptoms:

  • Paresthesia (numbness, loss of sensation, tingling, goosebumps, burning, etc.
  • Muscle weakness, paresis, weakening of tendon reflexes
  • Violations of physiological processes (urination, defecation) - symptoms of damage to the "ponytail", the nerve bundle of the lumbosacral region

Usually, sciatica is associated with symptoms of pain in the lumbosacral region, which are of these types:

  • Lumbago - sharp lumbago
  • Sciatica is a sharp pain localized in the gluteal region and radiating for a long distance, along the posterior femoral muscles, the front of the lower leg, reaching the very feet.

    The reason for such a large pain zone in sciatica is the defeat of the largest nerve in our body, the sciatic

  • Lumboischialgia is a pain symptom of a moderate type that occurs in the lower back and spreads like sciatica, but without connecting the toes.
    Lumbosciatica can also be aching or growing. Pain intensity increases with movement or exercise

Types of radiculopathy

We are all used to lumbar sciatica. However, there are still types of radiculopathy, depending on its manifestation in various vertebral sections:

  • Cervical - in the cervical region
  • Dorsal - in the chest

Symptoms of cervical sciatica:

  • Discomfort and pain in the back of the head and neck
  • Irradiation of painful sensations and phenomena of paresthesia in the shoulder-scapular, occipital region, arm
  • Amyotrophy upper limbs and decreased hand reflexes

Symptoms of thoracic sciatica

Thoracic sciatica is less common than other types and manifests late. More often it occurs in a mixed cervicothoracic form, developing after a cervical pathology.

Clinical signs:

  • Pain in the thoracic region, often aggravated by inhalation or movement:
    dagger type, extending into the anterior part of the sternum, under the shoulder blade, into the arm
    If the pain occurs in the left side of the chest, then it is often confused with a heart
  • Intercostal neuralgia - pain backache between the ribs and under the ribs that occurs with inflammation of the intercostal nerves.
    These signs are sometimes mistaken for respiratory diseases, pancreatitis or cholecystitis.

Treatment of sciatica

How should sciatica be treated? Isn't it enough just to take painkillers and calmly wait for the next attack?

Despite the fact that sciatica is a radicular syndrome, treatment should still go beyond the relief of pain irritation. And this means that sciatica must be treated in a complex way - just like we would treat osteochondrosis, hernia, trauma, displacement and any other disease that caused radiculopathy


The sooner we start treatment, before the onset of the ponytail syndrome, signs of loss of sensation and muscle weakness the more likely it is to be successful.

The first thing to do is to introduce temporary bed rest for an acute attack, for a period of two days to a week. By doing this, we will significantly reduce suffering by immobilizing the sick department.

Pain relief for sciatica

Speaking of anesthesia, here we will not discover anything new.


  • In the arsenal of the usual means by which a patient needs to be treated, already familiar to us:
    • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that block the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in the inflammatory process
    • Muscle relaxants - they are treated by relaxing muscle spasms
  • For the treatment of particularly intense pain are prescribed:
    • Therapeutic blockades that reduce nerve conduction (with drugs of the novocaine group)
    • Corticosteroids injected into the epidural space
    • Narcotic drugs (used in extremely rare cases due to their great harm and danger of addiction)
  • Pain management can also occur through the following methods:
    • Reducing swelling of the nerve roots and muscles by taking diuretics
    • Taking sedatives and antidepressants - pain relief occurs due to effects on the central nervous system
  • There are many different ways to take medications:
    • injections, tablets, rectal suppositories, topical ointments, gels and patches

Other ways to treat sciatica

You can also treat sciatica in non-drug ways:


  • By stretching the spine (dry and underwater)
  • Acupuncture, manual therapy and massage
  • With the help of physical therapy

What kind of drug to treat sciatica and how - the choice generally depends on the reasons that led to it.

  • If stress was the culprit-
    Emphasis is placed on sedatives and antidepressants
  • If a hernia, osteophytes, trauma or displacement is to blame-
    NSAIDs, novocaine paravertebral blockades, corticosteroids are used
  • With radiculitis of a catarrhal nature and caused by overstrain, they often use:
    • massage, acupuncture
    • warming belts
    • rubbing with ointments
  • With joint displacement and pain, medication is often useless, and the best that can be offeredthis is the placement of the joint in place by an experienced osteopath (chiropractor)
  • Pain manifestations in scoliosis are well eliminated with the help of:
    • Corrective asymmetric exercises

However, in all these specific cases, one thing is common:

In radicular syndrome, priority is given to medications. Only by eliminating acute pain at first, it is possible to treat sciatica in the future in other ways.
massage or physiotherapy performed through pain can lead to chronic muscle spasms.