Sciatica may also result in muscle weakness. The pain is usually intensified at night and exaggerated by coughing, laughing, sneezing, sitting and standing. This may also be associated with numbness, tingling or burning sensation in the hip, leg and foot. The intensity of pain varies from a mild pain to a sharp pounding pain. The pain is usually present below the knee and may also extend to the foot. Sciatica is characterized by severe pain in the leg resulting from compression or damage to this nerve. It originates in the lower back, runs along the hip and back of the leg and finally terminates in the foot. Sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body. Surgery employing required procedures such as fusion, artificial disk, discectomy and partial removal of vertebra.Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic and osteopathy.Medications such as painkillers and narcotics.

In cases where rest alone is not very beneficial, the doctor may recommend the following treatment options: In a majority of cases, back pain is relieved without medication by rest. In some cases, imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI scan, CT scan, bone scan and electromyography or EMG may also be ordered. The diagnosis of back pain includes physical examination and a medical history of the patient.

Structural disorders such as ruptured disks, bulging disc, sciatica, arthritis, osteoporosis, and abnormal curvature of the spine.

Gender – more common in females as compared to males.

Behavioural disorders such as anxiety and depression.

The common risks factors for back pain include: Pain in the upper back may be secondary to tumours in the chest, disorders of the aorta, and inflammation of the thoracic spine. Lower back pain may be related to the functional impairment of different organs and tissues such as lumbar spine, intervertebral disc, ligament around the spine and disc, spinal cord and nerves, attached muscles, surrounding skin and internal organs. Back pain is more common in individuals between 35 to 55 years of age. Home / Back Pain Overview / How can back pain and sciatica be treated? How can back pain and sciatica be treated? Back Painīack pain is a common cause of absence from work that affects approximately 80% of the American population, at different stages of their life.

Ct scan for sciatica