Sciatica in Vacaville is a type of pain that causes numbness, tingling, and sometimes weakness on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the thickest in the body and it starts from the nerve roots that exits the spine in the lower back and sacrum and extends to the buttocks and the back of each leg to the toes. There are 6 common causes of sciatica and nonsurgical treatments options available.

6 causes of sciatica and nonoperative treatments

1. Compressed Lumbar Disc - It is also referred to as lumbar radiculopathy. This case of sciatica can heal on its own without the need for a surgery. Patients who are diagnosed with this one can be healed using conservative treatment. The treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, medications that affects the nerves similarly to gabapentin, and epidural steroid injections. An x-ray will be used to help pinpoint the injection to the exact location of the lesion. It comes with serious side effects like infection, major bleeding, and nerve injury but the rate is only 1 in 100,000, so it can still be classified as a safe procedure. The injection can help reduce pain so that physical therapy can used for conservative treatment.
2. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - This condition can be a bit difficult to treat because of the mechanical nature of the nerve's compression which is mostly caused by a combination of osteoarthritis, bulging disc, and narrowed spinal holes. Epidural steroid injections paired with medication is mostly used to help control the symptoms of stenosis. The physical therapy of stenosis consists of exercises, traction, and modalities to reduce pain and inflammation.
3. Spondylolisthesis - This one is caused by trauma or degeneration of the spine. Conservative care is mostly helpful for this condition. Extension may worsen the symptoms, which is why flexion-based exercises are commonly applied for this one. Therapeutic exercises are used to the extent that they are tolerated for core stabilization and abdominal strengthening. Hip extension is also increased to help alleviate the stress on the lumbar spine. Modalities can also control inflammation and alleviate muscle spasms or tightness, and in some cases, trunk bracing may be indicated.
4. Piriformis Syndrome - Conservative treatment has a good response rate for this condition. To be specific, an ultrasound-guided piriformis injection is an effective treatment. The exact cause must be determined so that an exercise program will be individualized based on what was structurally found with the patient. There are many cases where the piriformis muscle is overused due to muscle weakness in the hips, so some strengthening exercises is the key for this one. Sciatic nerve mobilization can also help in increasing the sciatic nerve's mobility.
5. Pregnancy - Many pregnant women can experience sciatic symptoms which can make their already difficult situation into an even more miserable one. Pregnancy-related sciatica can have its symptoms lessened and normal function restored with the help of a massage, gentle exercise, and hot or cold therapy. Core stabilization and pelvic girdle are also utilized for the treatment. Kinesio tape can also make the pelvic girdle become stable due to the ligamentous laxity of the hips.
6. Trauma - If some trauma is inflicted on the gluteal area, then it can cause inflammation and spasm around the sciatic nerve. Pain and inflammation relief with modalities are the main treatment being focused for this one. Gentle exercises can also be applicable depending on what will be found during examination and how extensive the trauma really is. Massage and light spinal stabilization can help create natural painkillers in the body and alleviate any tight muscles. Once the patient progresses, some more rigorous exercises will be provided to further strengthen the core musculature and allow them to resume doing their regular activities.

If you need some more help with sciatica, you can always consult Absolute Family Chiropractic on whatever treatment options may be best for you. With their assistance, you'll no longer have to live with pain and you can resume living a good quality of life.