Patients who suffer from sciatica are at risk for developing muscle atrophy. A recent British study found that patients with sciatica had decreased muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy occurs in people that have a restricted range of motion due to an injury or medical condition.
Read MoreThe pain of sciatica often drives patients to opt for surgery. But new research suggests that chiropractic treatment can be just as effective as surgery in some cases of sciatica.
Read MoreAlthough many people with sciatica have found relief through spinal decompression surgery, also called microdiscectomy, the surgery may not be necessary for all sciatica patients.New research suggests that in some cases, chiropractic treatments may be just as effective for sciatica as surgery. A group of researchers completed a study to examine the comparative success of chiropractic and surgery for treating sciatica. The study involved 40 patients who had previously tried treating their sciatica with a variety of treatments including massage, acupuncture, and painkillers.
Read MoreOne of the most modern ways to treat sciatica is also one of the least invasive. That therapy, known as non-surgical spinal decompression, has successfully helped thousands of patients with sciatica, disc herniations, or other pain conditions.
Read MoreLearning the risk factors of sciatica can help you minimize your risk of developing it. A recent study sheds light onto what makes you more likely to develop sciatica. The study evaluated 5261 participants aged 40-60.
Read MoreSciatica is a relatively common medical condition, affecting an estimated 13-40% of people during their lifetime. The most common cause is a herniated disc.
Read MoreWomen with sciatica are more likely to have a slower recovery rate than men with the same condition. In a 2008 study, 28% of women had unsatisfactory outcomes after one year of treatment, compared to just 11% of men.
Read MoreThe efficacy of drugs for sciatica treatment has been called into question in a recent literature review. Although there are consistent guidelines for prescribing medication for low-back pain, "this is not the case for sciatica." To address this lack of clear guidelines, researchers analyzed the results of current literature on pharmaceutical treatment of sciatica. After evaluating 23 studies, researchers concluded that there is no clear evidence demonstrating "favourable effects of NSAIDs, corticosteroids, antidepressants, or opioid analgesics in the immediate term [relief of pain] even compared with placebo." That means that in many studies, drugs were no more effective than a placebo in relieving pain.
Read MoreSciatica pain is often so debilitating that it forces people to miss work and other normal activities. Of all patients with low-back pain, sciatica patients have the highest level of disability (1).
Read MoreSciatica pain is often so debilitating that it forces people to miss work and other normal activities. Of all patients with low-back pain, sciatica patients have the highest level of disability (1).
Read MoreStudies on the efficacy of surgery for sciatica have produced conflicting results. An estimated 5-10% of patients that undergo microdiscectomy suffer from recurrent disc herniation after the operation.
Read MoreSuffering from a combination of neck pain and sciatica may prove more debilitating than back pain alone. Although previous research has examined the economic impact of back and neck pain on employees, most studies have evaluated each condition separately. To assess the combined impact of multi-site spinal pain, Finnish researchers surveyed 6, 934 municipal employees. 15% of women and 23% of men suffered from low-back pain, sciatica, or neck pain. While having at least one type of pain increased participants' risk of sick leave, suffering from multiple types of spinal pain exacerbated that risk.
Read MoreScientists have discovered a new risk factor for developing sciatic pain: your genes. Though scientists have suspected that genes play a role in sciatica, this study examines the impact of familial history on the risk of lumbar disc disease.
Read MoreScientists have discovered an additional risk factor for developing sciatic pain: your genes. Though researchers suspected that genes play a role in this often debilitating back problem, a 2012 study examined the impact of familial history on the risk of lumbar disc disease, which frequently causes sciatica. A group of orthopedists from the University of Utah School of Medicine analyzed records from the Utah Population Database, which includes data dating back to early settlers.
Read MoreAccording to analysis of a recent study, physical therapy sessions provide both immediate and long-term relief for patients with sciatica. The research involved 165 patients with moderate or severe sciatic pain. They participated in physical therapy sessions for three months.
Read MoreSpinal disc surgery is one of the most commonly prescribed procedures for sciatica, but a new study suggests that treatment may not be the best option for many patients with back pain and sciatica. The study suggests that for a significant number of sciatica patients with lower back pain, herniated discs are not to blame for their symptoms, and therefore treatments aimed at spinal discs will do little to provide relief. Sciatica is a debilitating condition caused by impingement or irritation of the sciatic nerve, leading to tingling sensations, numbness, and pain in the legs.
Read MoreMany people with sciatica find the pain to be so debilitating that they are forced to miss work and social gatherings. Among patients with lower back pain, those with sciatica experience the highest level of disability.1 According to public health records in Norway, patients with sciatica are disabled for an average of 72 days a year. A recent study offers hope to patients suffering from sciatica pain.
Read MoreSciatica is frequently the result of spinal conditions that lead to irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, and runs from the lower back through the upper buttocks and down to the toes.
Read MoreWhen a patient discovers they have sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation, one of the first questions they have to answer is whether or not they wish to undergo surgery. Numerous studies have explored that question, and a 2010 review of the literature on sciatica treatment brings us closer to an answer. The study revealed there is inconsistent evidence on whether surgery is more beneficial than conservative care.
Read MoreAcupuncture could be better than a common drug for treating sciatica pain, a recent small study suggests. After three treatments, 57% of acupuncture patients were cured compared to just 27% of patients taking a common pain killer and 20% receiving alkaloid injections. Researchers from China divided 90 sciatica patients into three groups receiving one of three treatments: warming acupuncture, tablets of a common drug called Nimesulide, or injections of a plant-based alkaloid used as a natural anti-shock treatment.
Read MoreIf sciatica were getting graded on gender parity, it would fail to meet the marks on every test. Recent research reveals that women are more likely to suffer from chronic sciatica than men -- and it doesn't stop there. Neurosurgeons at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands tracked the progress of 283 patients with severe sciatica as they received treatment (including surgery, conservative care, or both).
Read MoreRecent research suggests that smoking may increase your odds of developing chronic pain like sciatica and back pain. In a study published in the Journal of Pain, researchers surveyed 6,000 women from Kentucky to see if a number of lifestyle factors influenced the risk of chronic conditions like sciatica, fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain. Daily smokers were 104 percent more likely than non-smokers to have chronic pain.
Read MoreWork-related sciatica can be one of the most challenging and expensive problem in our health care systems. By definition, sciatica refers to pain and tenderness at some point of the sciatic nerve.
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Sciatica is a common pain problem that affects about 5% of adults. Sciatica is a symptom rather than a specific diagnosis: sciatic pain can have a number of different causes, and getting a proper diagnosis is key in getting relief from this condition. While pinpointing the root cause of sciatica can be challenging, the medical research has established the factors that increase the risk of a person developing sciatic nerve pain. Here are the nine most common risk factors for developing sciatica: 1.
Read MoreWeight loss is known to have substantial health benefits. A new study has confirmed that patients who lose weight may experience substantially reduced back pain and sciatica. Obese patients frequently report lower back pain and sciatica.
Read MoreInjections of a epidural steroids and an arthritis drug did not significantly ease sciatic pain for patients in a new study. In recent years, the number of epidural steroid injections has soared.
Read MoreBeing overweight doesn't just increase your risk of back pain, it limits your potential to improve with treatment, according to recent research. A new study showed that obese patients have fewer improvements with back-pain treatment than patients who aren't obese. The study included 1,190 participants receiving treatment for lumbar disc degeneration, a common cause of sciatica and back pain.
Read MoreA panel of experts recently collaborated in a study which analyzed orders for MRI scans in two large hospitals. They found that more than half the cases in which a lumbar spine MRI scan were done should not have been ordered in the first place.
Read MoreThere's more to weight loss than fitting into your favorite jeans. A number of studies confirm that weight loss can significantly relieve back pain and sciatica in obese patients. Low-back pain and sciatica are common among obese patients.
Read MoreBack surgery isn't a magic bullet for relief: studies show that up to 40% of patients continue to suffer from back pain despite having had surgery. Many of these patients are told they need another surgery, but the success rate for second surgeries is even lower. That was the case for one construction worker in a recent case study who suffered from lumbar disc herniation after failed back surgery.
Read MoreChiropractic patients are more likely to avoid the need for surgery compared to patients under traditional care for back pain, according to a new study from the journal Spine. The results suggest that patients can benefit from pursuing conservative treatments for lumbar spine conditions prior to resorting to surgery. In the study, researchers sought to understand why certain back-pain patients are more likely to receive a lumbar-spine operation.
Read MoreMany patients get steroid shots to temporarily relieve pain from a pinched nerve in the back or lumbar spinal stenosis. However, there is little evidence to show the long-term effectiveness of this treatment.
Read MoreA recent case study highlighted the efficacy of chiropractic care and flexion-distraction therapy for chronic back pain after severe personal injuries. Cox Flexion Distraction is a low-velocity spinal adjustment procedure that is applied using a specialized table or instrument, in addition to manual contact. Trained chiropractors use flexion distraction to decrease pressure between spinal discs, increase disc height, improve range of motion, and more.
Read MoreDysfunction in the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), located in the pelvis, is thought to be a possible cause of sciatica, resulting in back pain that radiates down the leg and below the knee. Scientists have questioned what the best treatment option is for patients with SIJ-related leg pain. In a recent study, researchers compared three treatment options: physical therapy, chiropractic manual therapy, and intra-articular injections of corticosteroids.
Read MoreResearch suggests that smoking could increase your risk of back pain. In one study of 95,000 nurses, women who smoked were three times more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis. This inflammatory arthritis causes pain in the low back and sacrum.
Read MoreBack pain is very seldom limited to the back, especially if it goes untreated for too long. Many patients also report that they start to develop problems with their legs and hips over time. In the study, researchers set out to see if there was a correlation between reported low back pain and future osteoarthritis related problems such as hip or knee trouble.
Read MoreA recent literature review concluded that acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment for many chronic pain conditions. Researchers from the UK synthesized findings of 8 studies examining the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture for treating several chronic pain conditions.
Read MoreOur hips serve a number of important functions for our body; they keep us upright, allow us to bear weight, walk smoothly, run, jump, kick, play. Since the hips are engaged in nearly every way we move, pain in this area can have debilitating consequences for patients.
Read MoreA new study confirms the vast majority of patients with lumbar disc herniation can find relief with chiropractic care. The findings show that 90% of patients report substantial improvements within three months of receiving their first chiropractic adjustment. The results are encouraging, since more research is raising questions about the safety and effectiveness of epidural steroid injections for the long-term management of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and sciatica.
Read MoreWill power. It's a classic problem for people struggling to lose weight or eat healthier foods.
Read MoreSmoking has been tied with lower back pain, psoriatic arthritis, sciatica, and other chronic pain conditions. However, little has been known about the potential effects of smoking cessation on this pain, or on the outcome of treatment.
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The scientific literature is clear that chiropractic adjustments can be beneficial for acute and chronic low pain, sciatica, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Over 1 million chiropractic adjustments are performed every day around the world and people have benefited and avoided surgery and risky medications by seeing chiropractors. Many people who see chiropractors also do so on a maintenance basis, with the objective of preventing future episodes or exacerbation of their symptoms.
Read MoreThe holiday season can be a stressful time of year. Extra stress can be particularly challenging for people with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and migraine, since stress can exacerbate pain.
Read MoreIn the United States, almost 30 million people have peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, though the vast majority do not realize that they have this dangerous condition. Most people assume that clogged arteries only happen in the heart. But in fact, this condition can occur anywhere in the body.
Read MoreRadicular pain, or radiating pain, is caused by interference or pinching of the spinal nerves. This results in pain, tingling, or numbness in parts of your body far from the actual source of the problem. If your spine is injured, there are a number of things that can affect the nerves and cause pain. Injured ligaments and muscles can cause inflammation of the nerve root, which can disrupt the function of the nerve.
Read MoreKeeping a food journal may take an extra 10 minutes from your day but it could help you keep a healthy weight. A new study found that self-monitoring behaviors, preparing meals at home, and eating at regular intervals enabled women to maintain weight loss for at least 12 months. The study included 123 postmenopausal women who were overweight or obese who enrolled in a weight loss program.Tracking food increased weight loss by an average of 3.7%.
Read MorePatients with acute low back pain rarely take sick leave but frequently develop chronic symptoms, a study from the journal Spine suggests. In the study, researchers worked with 605 acute low-back pain patients with and without sciatica who were being treated in a primary-care setting. The patients were evaluated for initial pain and disability levels.
Read MorePrimary results of a clinical trial for using high doses of a diabetes drug to treat obesity were announced today, and the effectiveness is underwhelming at best. Novo Nordisk, the world's largest producer of insulin, manufactures liraglutide. The drug is currently used to treat Type-2 diabetes under the brand name Victoza.
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Countless studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care is a safe and effective way to treat musculoskeletal complaints like back pain, neck pain, or sciatica. Now a new study from Switzerland has looked at the relative benefits of chiropractic compared to medical care for the most common types of pain issues. In this study, the authors examined data from people who reported spinal, hip, or shoulder pain.
Read MoreSacroiliac joint dysfunction is a commonly overlooked cause of back pain, yet affects 10-25% of patients with lower back issues. Located at the base of the spine within the pelvis, the sacroiliac joint can become misalignment or injured, resulting in back pain or sciatica.
Read MoreDid you know your back pain may be related to dysfunctions within the pelvis? The sacroiliac joint is a triangular-shaped bone that connects the spine to the pelvis. Pregnancy, arthritis, or anything that affects your gait and walking patterns may result in inflammation or misalignment of the sacroiliac joint, leading to lower back pain and sciatica. In a new pilot study from published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, researchers from Brazil were interested in assessing the effects of spinal adjustments on patients with low-back pain related to pelvic dysfunction. The study included seven patients with low-back pain and pelvic anteversion (pelvis tilting forward).
Read MoreGot an achy back? You're better off going to a chiropractor than popping another pain pill, suggests the results of a new study. The study, published in the medical journal Spine, shows that that chiropractic adjustments are more effective than a drug for easing back pain. To compare the efficacy of drugs and chiropractic, researchers tested the effects of spinal adjustments and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug called diclofenac. They divided 38 patients with acute back pain into three treatment groups.
Read MoreThe relationship between obesity and back pain is of great interest to medical research. Both health problems are prevalent and can harm the well-being of patients.
Read MoreEpidural steroid injections must now carry new warning labels about the possible risks of serious adverse events, according to a new FDA announcement issued last week, as reported by Medpage Today. "Injecting corticosteroids into the epidural space of the spine has been a widespread practice for many decades; however, the effectiveness and safety of the drugs for this use have not been established, and FDA has not approved corticosteroids for such use," the agency wrote in a recent safety announcement. After an analysis of the medical literature and its own database, the agency decided that although serious risks of epidural steroids are rare, they are severe enough to require a warning label. Rare serious adverse events include stroke, paralysis, loss of vision, and death. The agency said its new warning is unrelated to an outbreak of fungal meningitis tied to contaminated epidural steroid injections from the New England Compounding Center in 2012-13.The outbreak led to 64 deaths and affected 751 patients who had received the injections for various spinal injections, according to the CDC. Earlier research has questioned the efficacy and safety of epidural steroid injections for the routine treatment of back pain, neck pain, and sciatica.
Read MoreMost people think of chiropractic as effective way to treat back pain. While this is true, dozens of medical studies show that chiropractic can alleviate a number of other health conditions, while promoting general health and wellness. Studies show that chiropractic care can: Ease the pain of aging in adults with scoliosis, spinal degeneration, and osteoarthritis in the knee, hip, and hands Heal damaged nerves causing the radiating pain associated with disc herniation, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more Decrease pregnancy-related pelvic and back pain Reduce patient reliance on pain medication to manage migraines and cervicogenic headaches Improve recovery from auto injuries like whiplash, neck pain, TMJ disorders, and tinnitus Treat and prevent sports injuries like muscle strains and injuries to the shoulders, back, and lower limbs Soothe symptoms of fibromyalgia But chiropractic can do more than provide pain relief, it can improve your overall health and well being.
Read MoreEpidural steroid injection, a common non-surgical treatment of low back pain, appears to be on the rise in the US and UK.1-2 Yet the efficacy of epidural steroid injections remains controversial. Some patients do report pain relief in the short term, but the long term benefits of injections are contested.
Read MoreGoing on a daily 20 minute walk can decrease your risk of back pain by up to 32% if you're overweight, according to new research. Earlier studies have shown that being overweight, obese, or inactive increases your risk of back pain, but this is one of the first major studies to use objective measures to track activity levels with accelerometers. The study, published in the Spine Journal, included 6, 796 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results confirmed that the more overweight a person is, the more likely they are to suffer from back pain.
Read MoreWomen who smoke just a few cigarettes per day are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a new study. Also known as rheumatoid disease, RA is a chronic and debilitating autoimmune disease that becomes worse over time. It causes inflammation and pain in the joints and surrounding tissues and can also harm other organs in the body.
Read MorePregnancy can be a wonderful time in a woman's life but it can also be the source of significant pain. Conditions like back pain and migraine can make it difficult to sleep and can affect your quality of life.
Read MoreEvery year millions of patients are injected with epidural steroids to treat back pain, but now, new research suggests that many of those injections are completely unnecessary. In a study released Wednesday from The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that epidural steroid injections failed to produce any measurable benefits compared to lidocaine injections for spinal stenosis. This isn't the first study to question the effectiveness of epidural steroid injections for back pain.
Read MoreWith the New Year just around the corner, now's the time to start thinking about how you can make meaningful changes to your life for better health. Here are seven steps you can take to improve the health of your spine and your overall wellness. Get at least 30 minutes of daily exercise.
Read MoreA new study adds to the growing list of benefits from probiotics. Researchers from the Universite Lavel in Canada found that taking certain probiotics enhanced weight loss efforts in women. According to Science Daily, earlier studies have demonstrated that intestinal flora differs in obese people compared to thin individuals.
Read MoreUp to 40% patients continue to suffer from low-back pain and sciatica even after surgery. In patients undergoing lumbar discectomy in particular, an estimated 10-30% experience postoperative pain, commonly referred to as failed back surgery syndrome. Nearly a quarter of those patients develop scar tissue near the nerve root, called epidural fibrosis, and as many 76% of patients with epidural fibrosis require reoperation. Despite the prevalence of failed back surgery syndrome, there are still no established clinical guidelines for treating recurrent lumbar disc hernaition after lumbar discectomy. Previous case studies have pointed to the potential benefits of chiropractic for failed back surgery syndrome, but the role of chiropractic in managing recurrent lumbar disc herniation is poorly documented in the scientific literature. To fill this gap in the literature, researchers from the Logan College of Chiropractic recently published a case study of successful chiropractic treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation. The case study involved a 24-year man who managed a family construction and property maintenance business.
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[caption id="attachment_3582" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo by Bradley Gee[/caption] Dieters are often told to drink more water, but does it actually help you lose more weight? Perhaps, according to a new literature review that analyzed the results of several studies. Researchers in one study found that "water enhanced weight loss" for dieters who drank water prior to eating. Earlier research on the effects of water for weight loss has been inconsistent, and researchers from Germany sought to clarify the issue with a meta-analyses of 13 different studies. In one study, women who increased their intake of water experienced greater weight loss than those who consumed less than a liter a day. In another study, older and middle-aged people who drank two cups of water before meals lost four more pounds on average compared to people who hadn't drank the additional water. Researchers still don't know why water may affect weight loss.
Read MoreChiropractic adjustments were just as effective as epidural injections for patients with back pain in a new study -- without the risks and at lower cost. The findings show that chiropractic can significantly reduce pain in patients with lumbar disc herniation, and is less expensive than medical treatment. Lumbar epidural injections are frequently used for back pain and sciatica in patients with lumbar disc herniation, failed back surgery syndrome, and spinal stenosis. During the procedure, a physician injects a high dose of pain medication, and sometimes steroids, into the area of the lumbar spine around the damaged nerve.
Read MoreEpidural steroid injections may increase your risk of spinal fractures, according to new research. A study found that every time a patient received an epidural injection, they elevated their risk of vertebral fractures by 21%. Epidural steroid injections are frequently prescribed for relieving lower back pain and sciatica associated with lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and failed back surgery syndrome.
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Can virtual "alter egos" help you shed some pounds? Perhaps, according to a new study that found that digital avatars can help women develop positive weight-loss behaviors. In the study, women watched videos of avatars resembling themselves making healthy eating and exercise decisions, which influenced their behavior in real-world settings. "This pilot study showed that you don't have to be a gamer to use virtual reality to learn some important skills for weight loss," said Melissa Napolitano, PhD, lead author of the study and a professor at George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.
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[caption id="attachment_3344" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo via Creative Commons[/caption] Obesity should be considered a medical disease, according to policymakers from the American Medical Association's House of Delegates, who voted on the new resolution on Tuesday. The delegates say their endorsement recognizing obesity as a disease could spark new treatment options and better insurance reimbursement for overweight individuals seeking to improve their health. Whether or not obesity should be categorized as a disease has sparked a controversy in the medical field, and within the AMA itself. The delegates vote goes against the recommendations from the AMA Council on Science and Public Health, who say that placing obesity in a disease status could undermine efforts for prevention and have little influence on treatment.
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We're all aware of the serious problem in the US with opiate addiction. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 115 Americans die from opiate overdoses each day (about 43,000 a year), and we spend about $78 billion on the total costs of opiate abuse.
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