For Sciatica Pain Which Doctor To See
Neurosurgeons – Neurosurgeons are specialists of the nervous system. They are specifically trained in treating conditions that cause damage or pain to the nerves in the body, including sciatic nerve pain. Your neurosurgeon will determine if your case requires surgery on the nerve in order to repair the damage and relieve the pain.
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Who should I see if I think I have sciatica?
Take control of your sciatic back and leg pain – Seeing a physical therapist is usually the fastest way to overcome your sciatica pain. They can help diagnose what may be causing the pain, recommend a treatment plan and refer you to a spine specialist if needed.
Should I see a doctor or physio for sciatica?
Should you see a physiotherapist or chiropractor for sciatica? – Physiotherapists and chiropractors have many things in common, but they also have some key differences. Both use manual therapy as their approach to treatment, but depending on your specific needs and circumstances, you might benefit more from seeing one profession over the other.
Does sciatica need to be treated by a doctor?
Preparing for your appointment – Not everyone who has sciatica needs medical care. If your symptoms are severe or last for more than a month, make an appointment with your primary care provider.
Is a doctor better than a chiropractor for sciatica?
How do I choose the correct type of doctor who specializes in my specific condition? – There are many types of doctors who specialize in treating Sciatica, also known as Radiculopathy, A doctor specializing in spinal problems is typically the best choice for treatment. These specialists will have extensive training on treating sciatic nerve pain that radiates from your lower back down through your legs.
The type of physician you should visit depends mainly on what your symptoms are like. If you experience numbness or tingling sensations running down both legs, then an Orthopedist might be right for you, while someone with sharp stabbing pains may need to see a Neurosurgeon. Chiropractors specialize in treating spinal problems and are often the best choice for people suffering from Sciatica.
Chiropractors do not perform surgery, but they can provide treatment that reduces pain and prevents any further damage to your spine or nerves due to pinched discs or other types of nerve compression. The process involved treatment following diagnosis and before getting started with care, including preparing yourself mentally and physically for the experience.
You may be told to avoid any activities that could cause you pain or discomfort for two weeks following your diagnosis to not aggravate it unnecessarily and set back healing. There’s no one way to predict just how long recovery will be, though there are a few things we know about nerve damage in general that might help give us an idea of where we’re at on the timeline.
Such as whether or not inflammation has subsided and if numbness has receded yet. It can take anywhere from days to months (on average) before sciatica symptoms are relieved with chiropractic adjustments because of how complex our nervous system is. The more severe the injury was when it happened, the longer it will take: a sudden, dramatic injury is likely to be more severe and will therefore require significantly more time for nerve pathways to heal.
- It can also depend on which part of the spine was injured (the lower back or neck) – as each area may need different types of treatment depending on where they are and what else might be happening with them at any given time.
- It’s best if you’re able to get chiropractic care from someone who understands all this about your body so that adjustments can be made accordingly; such providers should have an extensive understanding of anatomy and physiology related specifically to these regions.
If left untreated for too long following diagnosis, sciatica can lead to more serious conditions later on, such as chronic back pain and sciatica-related leg disorders. It’s not just a matter of finding someone who has the proper credentials or education; it’s about making sure they’re willing and able to make adjustments in your body to help relieve any pressure that might be causing damage.
Someone with experience may take longer but have better results overall for you. If you want relief now rather than eventually, this is something worth considering when looking into different chiropractors in your area. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Paul Grindstaff to provide a tailor-fit plan for your needs and goals.
He can help you find out how to prepare yourself mentally before a visit, what to expect during one (including the process involved in beginning treatment following diagnosis), and give recommendations on where to get started with care: including preparing yourself physically.
What happens if you ignore sciatica?
1. Untreated Sciatica Can Cause Irreparable Nerve Damage – If left untreated, sciatica can cause permanent nerve damage that worsens back and leg pain. Over time, the pain may extend to other parts of the body. In some cases, patients stop responding to pain medication, thereby developing chronic pain that cannot be remedied.
What happens if you don’t fix sciatica?
How is sciatica affecting your quality of life? – Sciatica pain may extend all the way from the lower back, through the back of your thigh, to your foot. The pain can come and go, sometimes lingering for days and even weeks. This may cause anything from mild discomfort to making the simplest tasks intolerable. Sitting could be painful with sciatica — and driving even more so. Not to mention playing sports and being active. As you contemplate surgery for sciatica, consider how much the pain affects your quality of life. If your work, hobbies, social life or relationships suffer from your being in constant pain, it may be time to think about surgery. Although sciatica starts as nerve inflammation, it may eventually progress to nerve damage. If the sciatic nerve is damaged, it could result in numbness, tingling and, in more severe cases, weakness in the knees or legs. The longer it is left untreated, the longer it will take for numbness and weakness to go away, and they may become permanent.
How I cured my sciatica pain?
Alternating heat and ice therapy can provide immediate relief of sciatic nerve pain. Ice can help reduce inflammation, while heat encourages blood flow to the painful area (which speeds healing). Heat and ice may also help ease painful muscle spasms that often accompany sciatica.
How long will sciatica heal?
How long does sciatica pain last? – For the majority of patients, acute sciatica pain resolves within 1 – 2 weeks. In some cases, behavioral modification or at-home remedies may be adequate for relieving sciatica pain. However, certain patients may develop chronic sciatica pain which may wax and wane but remains present over many years.
Can acupuncture help sciatica?
How Does Acupuncture Treat Sciatica or Sciatic Nerve Inflammation? – Acupuncture can help reduce the pain of sciatica. There is substantial research to show that acupuncture is significantly better than no treatment and also at least as good, if not better than, standard medical care for back pain (Yuan 2008, Furlan 2008; see the Fact Sheet on Acupuncture and Back Pain).
Stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, which leads to release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors, and changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord (Pomeranz 1987, Zhao 2008). Reducing inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors (Kavoussi 2007, Zijlstra 2003). Improving muscle stiffness and joint mobility by increasing local microcirculation (Komori 2009), which aids dispersal of swelling. Causing a transient change in sciatic nerve blood flow, including circulation to the cauda equine and nerve root. This response is eliminated or attenuated by administration of atropine, indicating that it occurs mainly via cholinergic nerves (Inoue 2008). Influencing the neurotrophic factor signalling system, which is important in neuropathic pain (Dong 2006). Increasing levels of serotonin and noradrenaline, which can help reduce pain and speed nerve repair (Wang 2005). Improving the conductive parameters of the sciatic nerve (Zhang 2005). Promoting regeneration of the sciatic nerve (La 2005)
Once needles are inserted in certain acupuncture points, endorphin production will increase. Acupuncture can also cause muscle relaxation. Acupuncture will help to reprogram the muscles to stay relaxed. The back, hip, and pelvis are very interconnected and the treatment should incorporate all of them.
Overall, the treatment should relax and stretch the tendons and fascia while strengthening the muscles. This will help release the spastic muscles and strengthen them, allowing the back to naturally heal. It can even encourage an out of place disc to go back into place, depending on severity. After the pain is gone, it is important to maintain the healthy condition of the patient’s back.
Stretching is essential and will help keep the muscles relaxed. Also, doing tai chi, the Chinese exercise and meditation, is very effective to strengthen the lower back and relax it.
Can you diagnose sciatica without an MRI?
Can you diagnose sciatica without an MRI? – It is possible to get your sciatica diagnosed with a physical examination and complete medical history, which does not require imaging such as MRI. However, if your pain persists even after conservative treatments, lasts longer than 3 months or continuously reoccurs (chronic sciatica), or leads to severe weakness, your doctor may recommend an MRI to rule out any other pathology and support your treatment and onward care.
