Sciatica
Physical therapy can improve functions of your body
Radicular pain is a type of pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the leg that originates from the lower back and affects the buttock, top and back of the leg. The most common symptom of radicular pain usually radiates along the sciatic nerve and down the leg.
Sciatica can originate from the following conditions:
- Lumbar herniated disk
- Degenerative Disk Disease
- Spinal Stenosis
- Bone spur in the spine
The pain associated ranges from mild to severe and can be described as any of the following:
- Constant pain in one side of the buttock or leg
- Leg pain that is often described as burning, tingling, or numbness
- Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
- A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand or walk
Radicular pain usually goes away on its own. If you are experiencing sciatica that is severe and impacting your quality of life, or if you have weakness or numbness that affects your leg or foot, you should seek treatment for radicular pain.
There are many options available such as:
- Self-care using hot or cold packs, stretching, or over the counter pain medications
- Prescription Medications
- Physical Therapy and massage
- Steroid Injections
- Surgery – reserved for cases that don’t resolve on their own, or with the help of the previous therapies
Your physician may order any of the following tests to help diagnose and create a treatment plan for your radicular pain:
- X-Ray
- MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Nerve study/EMG
- CT Scan – Computerized Tomography