Sciatica Causes

• Knowing what causes sciatica can help you determine whom to consult about the condition. Sciatica can happen simply via the process of aging naturally: As you grow older, your spine, the disks and the vertebrae become overused, strained and tired, and sciatic pain can result. Sciatica can also be brought on by excessive strain or injury, which increases pressure on the disks in the spine, particularly in the lower back.
  
  Pain symptoms associated with the condition are caused when the center of the disks that rest between the vertebrae in your back begin to protrude as extra pressure squeezes the discs in your spine. The protrusion is the cause for sciatic nerve irritation, If your disc herniates, the pain can intensify. The disc protrusions put pressure against sensitive nerve ending in your spinal column, and can produce what is identified as sciatic pain.
  
  

Acupuncturist

• An acupuncturist is a holistic healer who attempts to manipulate the energy flow in your body to improve your health. Needles are placed in specified areas to repair blocked energy flow, which will help alleviate painful symptoms. Specific acupoints are purposefully manipulated to immediately trigger pain relief; the triggered acupoints free up blockages in the body's natural energy meridians, thus restoring energy flow to optimal levels while relieving pain.
  
  

Chiropractor

• Chiropractors are specialists of the spine. They rely on non-invasive treatments and spinal-column manipulation to realign the spine and to improve sciatic conditions. When you visit a chiropractor, you might receive an X-ray so that the doctor can assess the level of spinal/bone deterioration, if any, and you will be presented with a plan for treatment. You might also receive magnetic-resonance imaging tests or a computerized tomography scan so that the doctor can see the present condition of your spine.
  
  A chiropractor will use all-natural healing techniques to help you improve your sciatica. He or she might use heat therapy, ice therapy or ultrasonic therapy, which gets heat deep into your muscles to promote healing. You might also be given a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit to use to treat pain and reduce general irritation caused by the sciatic condition.
  
  

Orthopedic Surgeon

• An orthopedic surgeon will often use the same diagnostic measures a chiropractor will to assess the condition of your spinal column. But contrary to a chiropractor, an orthopedic surgeon may use both non-invasive and invasive measures of treatment. First, the surgeon will exhaust all non-invasive measures by sending you to a physical therapist where you can receive massage, heat and ice therapy, and ultrasound therapy. If sciatic pain continues, the surgeon might inject the affected areas of your spine with cortisone to reduce inflammation and to alleviate pain. For extreme cases, the surgeon can offer surgical remedies like removal of the disc causing the irrigation.