What Is The Best Treatment For Sciatica?

Cervical Disc Prolapse, Spinal Injections, Spinal Treatments, Spine Laser Disc Surgery

Best treatment for Sciatica

Sciatica is one of the painful processes that most frightens people whether they have suffered or not. It is an involvement of the sciatic nerve due to various causes but many times there are other conditions that can be confused with sciatica.

Once we notice the first symptoms, the only way to treat pain is through medication and rest, ensuring that our spine, and especially our lower back, is completely at rest. Therefore, the best way to deal with this type of pain is through prevention.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can help us in two ways:

Strengthening exercises for sciatica:

Working on the area that can be affected, such as the buttocks and abs, we will protect our spine and minimize its effort in each movement. This type of exercise will allow us to relieve tension and improve the state of our muscles.

Stretching exercises for sciatica:

It is important to pay attention to the stretching of the lower back, especially if we are going to do sports or another physical effort. Through them, we will prepare our body for a more demanding exercise, also expanding its range of motion.

Medication for sciatica

Pain killers

This type of medication reduces the intensity of pain. They are recommended for use in the phases of greatest pain. They should only be taken under medical prescription and possible allergies or contraindications must be taken into account. Among the latter, constipation and drowsiness can occur in 80 per cent of patients.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

They are used to decrease inflammation that complicates most back pain and improves mobility. Anti-inflammatories are recommended in the phases of greatest pain or in acute crises, to reduce the intensity of symptoms. Among the most frequent side effects is the lesion of the digestive tract, which can vary from simple heartburn to the triggering of an ulcer bleeding, and kidney injury so should be prescribed by your doctor.

Muscle relaxants

They help reduce muscle contracture and back pain. The use of muscle relaxants in the acute phases and to reduce the risk of side effects is recommended. In periods when muscle relaxants are being consumed, it is important to avoid risky practices, such as driving. It is also important to refrain from drinking alcohol. The most frequent side effects are drowsiness and decreased reflexes.

Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

They are very potent anti-inflammatories but they must be administered carefully due to their side effects. The most frequent are on the digestive tract, where they can cause from heartburn to bleeding ulcers. They also increase blood sugar and can destabilize the control of diabetics. Its administration is recommended intramuscularly and only exceptionally when the symptoms are very intense.

Epidural corticosteroid injections for sciatica

When the pain is severe, this injection can be applied to reduce inflammation. An epidural injection applies corticosteroids directly into the painful area. It helps to reduce the inflammation that may be causing the pain. Although its effects are temporary, it is effective for the relief of acute sciatica pain. This injection can produce enough relief to allow the patient to improve with a conditioning and exercise program.

Keyhole spinal surgery for sciatica

Most patients with sciatica respond well to conservative treatments. Surgery is rarely necessary to treat the condition.

The following scenarios may be indicative that spinal surgery may be necessary:

-If you experience incontinence or lack of sphincter control: It occurs rarely, but when it occurs it could be a compression of the spinal cord, a situation that must be resolved as soon as possible.

-You suffer from spinal stenosis and your doctor believes that surgery is the best way to treat it.

-You begin to feel neurological abnormalities such as extreme weakness in the leg.

-Your symptoms get worse and non-surgical treatments are not effective.

At the London Spine Unit, we have some of the best specialists to treat your sciatica. Book n appointment to get a checkup.

You might also want to read:

What is sciatica?

Which doctor should I see for my sciatica?

How effective is physical therapy for sciatica?

Physical therapy can help us in two ways: Strengthening exercises: Working on the area that can be affected, such as the buttocks and abs, we will protect our spine and minimize its effort in each movement. This type of exercise will allow us to relieve tension and improve the state of our muscles. Stretching exercises: It is important to pay attention to the stretching of the lower back, especially if we are going to do sports or another physical effort. Through them, we will prepare our body for a more demanding exercise, also expanding its range of motion.

Which medication helps to relieve sciatica?

Pain killers, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very useful to alleviate your sciatica.

Is surgery necessary in case of sciatica?

Most patients with sciatica respond well to conservative treatments. Surgery is rarely necessary to treat the condition. There are scenarios that may be indicative that spinal surgery is necessary.

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Truspilot Reviews

2022-06-10

Fabulous service Fabulous service. Mr Akmal truly cares about his patients and how he can improve their quality of life. I would recommend him to anyone with any kind of spinal issue.

Honeywell Paul

2022-06-08

Truly excellent results! I was diagnosed with lumbar stenosis after experiencing increasing pain in both legs. An MRI and consultation carried out at short notice confirmed this. Mr Akmal recommended that a spacer should be inserted in my lower back to correct the problem and release the nerves from the narrowing caused by stenosis. The operation was conducted very professionally and without pain. After the first two weeks the pain started to subside as expected. After 4 weeks I was completely back to normal. The result is exceptionally good and I feel renewed, with no pain whatsoever and a regained posture, ready to resume a normal life. I cannot recommend The London Spine Unit highly enough. They are medical magicians!

c etri

2022-06-06

Sciatica My mother was in absolute agony for more than 3 months due to sciatica. It just came out of nowhere and took her out of action. From working full time she went straight to being bed bound and unable to carry out simplest of actions.The pain was 9/10 and she was bed bound for those three months. Multiple trips to A&E and GP and they wouldn't class it as an emergency therefore they wouldn't do anything about it other than upgrading the painkillers which did next to nothing for my mother. I couldn't bear to watch my mother sleeping on A&E bench in pain for 7 hours, just to be told by doctors that she wouldn't be kept in. I remember her joining her hands and begging the doctors to stop the pain which broke my heart. I then started doing research on google and London spine unit came up with Dr Mo AKMAL's profile and review. First meeting with Dr AKMAL was via ZOOM as my mother was bed bound. Dr AKMAL spoke to me and my mom and told us that this is nothing to worry about and that the pain would be 100% gone.Dr AKMAL assured us to visit the hospital so he could physically inspect my mother and give us the best solution. One trip to the london spine unit and Dr AKMAL advised us that the best solution would be to carry out Minimally invasive disectomy. Dr AKMAL advised that due to my mother being bed bound for a while, steroid injection might not give the result that my mother wishes. Dr AKMAL was very confident and showed us some videos from other patients who had gone through the same ordeal. The biggest thing i noticed between before and after was the smile on the patients face. Dr AKMAL was constantly assuring my mother throughout the meeting that he would take care of her pain and gave her 100% confidence that the result would be delivered.He promised her that she would be walking pain free the same day after the operation. Before the operation Dr GURUNG was consulted multiple times and he also was very helpful. Right after the surgery, as Dr AKMAL promised, my mother was walking and the biggest thing was that the pain was gone. My mother had forgotten to smile for three months and there i saw her smiling again. Dr AKMAL and Dr GURUNG gave us brilliant aftercare and informed us that just give them a ring if there was any issue. Its been several weeks now and my mother is heading towards complete recovery without any issues. The pain is completely gone and anyone who is reading this going through the same horrible sciatica pain you must come and see Dr AKMAL. Thank you Dr AKMAL and your whole team for helping my mom achieve this pain free life.

Frank Otuo

2022-05-18

Extraordinary Care My 81 year old mother who has retired in Ghana was suffering from severe lower back pain so a local surgeon put her through discectomy with hardware (spine screws). The procedure was essentially botched, with one screw breaching her spinal canal resulting in extreme pain; unable to walk, pins and needles and numbness in the left leg. The hardware subsequently had become infected and loosened as a result. Her life after this surgery was the worse she has ever experienced in all her life. She had no doubt that she was eventually to die from the infection and pain. Fortunately, through diligent search, we found Mr Akmal and his team at The UK Spine Centre. She had a zoom consultation and with a ready MRI and CT scan, Mr Akmal knew exactly how to have her back to fitness and a better quality of life. She travelled to England on 26 March 2022 and had the surgery on 11 April 2022. It was a day-case. It lasted no more than 1 hour 30 minutes. She was on my feet within 2 hours pain free - still pain free 5 weeks on! To her this is simply a miracle ! She is grateful to Jehovah God for Mr Akmal and his team - thoroughly professional bunch at the top of their game. No one deserves to suffer the pain she experienced for two years. She seriously recommends Mr Akmal and his team for anything SPINE!

Luke O'Brien

2022-05-18

Bilateral discectomy and dynamic stabilisation for complete foot drop From the first phone call, the team at London Spine have been amazing. I had severe symptoms following an L4/L5 disc injury from playing sports and had complete foot drop. Mr Akmal and his team treated the situation incredibly sensitively, as I had risk of permanent damage. The whole process was so quick, from initial consultation to operation was about 96 hours. On the day of the operation, the nurses couldn’t have been more helpful, attentive and calming. The surgery was flawless, with absolutely zero pain from the operation following. I am now 8 weeks from a bi-lateral discectomy and dynamic stabilisation procedure and have regained full use of my leg and toes, with a complete range of motion also. Mr Akmal’s aftercare has been first class, with regular calls from his team in the 2 weeks following the surgery, to the final consultation and discharge. Thanks so much for giving me my life back

2022-05-09

Excellent treatment Mr Mo Akmal treated me very successfully for 2 torn discs in my back. I was in tremendous pain before I was referred to him. The treatment I received from him was excellent and he communicated with me very well throughout the whole process. I am eternally grateful to Mr Akmal for sorting out my back and would highly recommend him.

shahnaz Choudhury

2022-04-22

I had a massive bulging disk on my back… I had a massive bulging disk on my back compressing my nerve for three years. It caused me excruciating pain and almost left me disabled. I was on both crutches and completely homebound due to the severity of pain and mobility limitations. I had my lumber surgery two weeks ago and walked out of hospital within a few hours pain free on my right leg that was almost paralysing prior to surgery. The disk was shaved off releasing the nerve completely. Two days after surgery I had excruciating pain on my head that is unexplained as I had CT scan and MRI which were all fine. Dr Akmal has suggested it could be from the anaesthetic. I am extremely grateful to Dr Akmal and his very welcoming and cari g team. I would highly recommend his clinic as I have had excellent recovery.

MR HARVEY

2022-04-02

Thank you Mr Aklam After having a poor and very slow experiance in glasgow . I contacted Mr mo Amlam . Who is a true gentleman, great listener and paitent . We transfered my scans and treatments from glasgow to harley street . Mr Aklams p.a arranged a quick zoom to start our contact .I then went down for a meeting and examination and what should have been a spec scan .only to be told of a UK shortage . So 4 weeks later the scan took place in wellington hospital . Before I traveled back to glasgow. 5 days later I got a call to book me in to 19 harley street for a l3 and l4 debridement and stabilisation. The opp took place on 24th March. 2hours I was out walking 4 hours later . My pain in back groin and foot was all gone .thanks to Mr aklam . Top of his craft but more importantly pouts his patients first .he really wants to help you get better. Thank you so much Mr Robert harvey

Ken Carswell

2022-03-22

Amazing service and an amazing treatment! I can't thank Mr Akmal and team at the London Spine Unit enough for their help. I had a herniated disc in my back which was causing pain and restrictions. Compared to other offers of surgery (e.g. several nights in hospital), the day surgery and minimally invasive procedure were hugely appealing. I am now 3 weeks post surgery, have no pain and am recovering incredibly quickly if I compare myself to friends who have had a similar procedure. it was truly remarkable, straightforward and the team were kind, friendly and always helpful. very highly recommended!

customer

2022-03-17

Great service and painless procedure Great service and painless procedure. Definitely alleviated the pain

London Spine Unit Harley Street Hospital

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Our Medical Director and Lead Spinal Surgeon Mr Mo Akmal MD is a world renowned Spine Specialist Consultant with over 20 years of experience. He and his team have developed revolutionary techniques to perform all types of Spinal Surgery as a Day Case procedure without traditional General Anaesthetic.

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