A common cause of sciatica is herniated disc. Each vertebral disc is composed of a tough outer layer of cartilage and a more elastic central area. With age these disk degenerate, becoming thinner and weaker. Unnecessary pressure from a fall or from heavy lifting can cause cracks in the outer layer of the disc allowing the central pressure to squeeze out. That kind of rupture can put pressure on the spinal cord of the nerves that branch from it. Herniated disc in the lumbar or sacral region may put pressure on the sciatic nerve causing pain and discomfort. Herniated disc can be properly treated with DRX 9000 Orange County chiropractors suggest a patient try this method in order to avoid further back injury.
Those who developed sciatica have long been prescribed bed rest, but in recent studies chiropractors have seen that bed rest alone is not enough to relieve back pain Orange County chiropractors say it may be more beneficial for sufferers to stay active. One should not be doing strenuous activity that causes more pain, but instead continue with normal activity and exercises that may be prescribed.
Leading sciatica specialist Irvine say pain sciatica pain is best treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen or codeine. In cases where the patient is in extreme pain a physician may administer a cortisone shot. Other patients with sciatica nerve may find relief in surgery. In cases where there is a herniated disc a procedure called laminectomy may be performed. During this procedure a portion of the posterior arch is removed to relieve pressure on pinched nerve tissues. In a case of spinal stenosis, a portion of the bone that is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve system can be removed. Leading Orange county chiropractic care surgeons say surgery is not for everyone, but for those who show no signs of improvement in four to six months it may be the only option to relieve pain and return back to physical activity.