Medical research shows solution for sciatica

It is not uncommon to hear a patient say, “All I did was cough. Then I felt severe pain in my low back that ran down my leg.” Sciatica often starts suddenly with pain in your lower back that radiates down from your buttock to one thigh and into your leg. You may have pain when you sit, sneeze or cough. You may also feel weakness, “pins and needles,” numbness or a burning or tingling sensation down your leg.

Sciatica symptoms may result from general wear and tear, plus any sudden pressure on a disc. Most commonly, this occurs when a protruding or herniated disc irritates the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a major source of disability and impairment of daily living activities. About 20% of those with sciatica experience symptoms for more than six weeks.

How do you know whether your sciatica will respond to self-care or whether it needs professional attention? As a general rule, you should call your doctor if the pain is intense, travels down your leg or prevents you from moving; your leg, foot, groin or rectal area feels numb; you have fever, nausea, vomiting, weakness or sweating; an injury caused your pain; your pain hasn’t decreased after one week; or you’ve had past episodes of back pain.

Fortunately, medical researchers have identified an effective treatment for this debilitating condition. The Spine Journal published the results of a study involving sciatica treatment. In this study, patients with acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion were randomized to active and simulated manipulation. Treatments were administered five days per week by experienced chiropractors for up to four weeks.

Results of the study were dramatic. Chiropractic care delivered significant pain reduction compared with simulated manipulation, and no patient experienced an adverse event. These impressive findings have important implications for the treatment of sciatica.

Additionally, the American Pain Society and the American College of Physicians commissioned an evidence-based review of the scientific literature to advise health care professionals and patients how best to manage low back pain and sciatica. The results from this panel’s research were published in Annals of Internal Medicine. The scientific review board found several treatments that demonstrated effectiveness and some that did not. For patients with sciatica, spinal manipulation was effective, but traction was not.

This is very good news for the millions of Americans who suffer with sciatica symptoms. The additional bonus is that chiropractic treatment under the guidance of a licensed professional has an excellent safety record. In fact, chiropractic care is considered safer than most prescription medications or spinal injections. Patients with acute back pain and sciatica with protruding discs should consider chiropractic care as a first option.

Dr. Brian Grieves is a doctor of chiropractic with a master’s in public health and a member of the Shawano Community Health Action Team (CHAT). Call 715-524-8722 for more information.