There are notable changes in our bodily functions as we age. One cannot say no to the possibilities of dementia or mild to severe forgetfulness. Wrinkling of the skin reminds us that we are not getting any younger and the sudden change of appetite or eating patterns are indications that our metabolism has slowed down to a greater extent, making us choosy or meticulous about the food that we eat..
The above-mentioned scenarios may seem manageable but there is one thing that aged individuals fear the most, and that is the deterioration of the bone’s strength. When this happens, recurring pain can be present on any essential parts of the body like the muscles in the arms, legs, lower back and especially on the pelvic bones that connect the hips down to the knees and the toes.
Before going any further, another concrete example of a bone loss that can be associated with sciatica is osteoporosis. The said condition takes place when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone or both. Osteoporosis literally means “porous bone.” When it is viewed under a microscope, healthy bones appear like a honeycomb. When osteoporosis occurs, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than in a healthy bone. With this description, we have reason to believe that ordinary pain in the lower back may well be associated with losing bone strength and the degeneration of the same could be referred to as sciatica.
Sciatica as distinguished from osteoporosis
Sciatica is a pain affecting the back, hip and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of the spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to the degeneration of intervertebral disk. Ensure you seek professional sciatica treatment to get full details on the cause.
Intervertebral disk defined and explained
The intervertebral disk is a significant part of the bone that acts or functions as shock absorbers between each vertebra in the spinal column. The annulus acts as a thick outer layer that surrounds the soft gel-like centre or nucleus that protects it from a sudden shock or impact.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica is primarily caused by irritation of the roots of the lower lumbar and the lumbosacral spine. Additional factors include lumbar spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back. It’s also called as degenerative disc disease or breakdown of disks due to shock or impact on cushions between the vertebrae.
Why does sciatica occur?
The main culprit of sciatica is a herniated disk. It happens or occurs when a disk is pushed out of place or misaligned due to shock or impact. When not treated right away, the condition could cause an infection that will probably aggravate the situation.
Treatment and medication
- Physical therapy – in cases of mild to moderate conditions, sciatica can be treated with a soft or hard massage on the affected parts of the muscles. Pressing slightly on the vital points can give comfort to the patient.
- Rehabilitation – the health and wellness program designed to restore someone to health or normal life through training and therapy after an accident or an illness.
- Chiropractic – an alternative medical intervention without the need for oral medication. This is administered or managed by spine doctors who specialise in taking care of the spine down to the nervous system in order to prevent the onset of some degenerative illness or diseases.
- Oral medication – this includes over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, ketoprofen, or naproxen. Secondary medicines include antidepressants for chronic lower back pain and prescription muscle relaxants to ease muscle spasms.
