What Is Sciatica? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Sciatica is a common nerve pain that many people experience today and negatively affects their quality of life. This pain, especially felt in the waist and leg areas, restricts mobility and can make daily life difficult. Being informed about the causes, symptoms and treatment methods of sciatica is important in the process of coping with this condition. In this article we have written for you, we will try to answer questions such as what sciatica is, what are its symptoms, what are its causes and what are the treatment methods.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition of pain and discomfort caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, the body’s largest nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from the spinal cord along the hip and leg to the toes. Compression or irritation of this nerve causes severe pain, numbness and loss of strength, usually in the lower back and leg areas. Sciatica can be seen in any age group, but it is more common especially in the 30-50 age group.

What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

Symptoms of sciatica can vary from person to person. However, the following symptoms are usually seen:

• Sharp, burning and severe pain radiating along the lower back, hip and leg
• Unilateral pain (usually felt in one leg only),
• numbness, tingling or weakness in the ankles and toes,
• Increased pain in situations such as sitting, leaning forward, coughing or sneezing,
• Loss of strength and difficulty in movement in the legs.

What Causes Sciatica?

Causes of sciatica include:

• Herniated or slipped disc
• Piriformis syndrome,
• Spinal narrowing (spinal stenosis),
• Spondylolisthesis,
• Tumors, infections and traumas,

Treatment of sciatica depends on identifying the underlying cause. Doctors often recommend conservative treatment methods such as pain medications, physical therapy, massage, hot and cold compresses, and exercises. However, in advanced cases, surgical intervention may be required. If you have sciatic pain, it is important to consult a specialist and learn the appropriate treatment methods.

What Are the Types of Sciatic Pain?

Sciatica pain is usually unilateral and the severity of pain varies from person to person. The types of sciatic pain are as follows;

Acute Sciatic Pain; Acute sciatic pain is pain that starts suddenly and usually lasts less than six weeks. Pain often occurs for no apparent reason and can often be controlled with rest and pain relievers.

Chronic Sciatic Pain; Chronic sciatic pain is pain that lasts longer than six weeks and is more severe. Causes of chronic sciatic pain include herniated disc, narrowing of the spinal canal, and conditions such as piriformis syndrome. Chronic sciatic pain may require long-term treatment modalities such as physical therapy, medications, and surgery.

Neuropathic Sciatic Pain; Neuropathic sciatic pain is pain that occurs due to nerve damage. This type of pain is characterized by sensory disturbances such as burning, tingling or numbness. Treatment for neuropathic sciatic pain varies depending on the cause of the nerve damage and can often include medications, physical therapy, and surgery.

How to Prevent Sciatica (Sciatica)?

Measures that can be taken to prevent sciatica are:

• Regular Exercise,
• Correct Sitting and Posture,
• Not Lifting Heavy,
• Weight Control,

How Is Sciatica Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of sciatica is made using the patient’s complaints, physical examination and, if necessary, imaging methods. During the physical examination, the doctor looks for pain, tenderness, and limitation of movement in the patient’s lower back, hips, and legs. He or she may also perform reflex and sensory tests to evaluate nerve function.

If necessary, the doctor can determine the cause of compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve using imaging methods such as x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT). These imaging methods help detect herniated disc, narrowing of the spinal canal, and other abnormalities.

How Is Sciatica Treated?

Treatment for sciatica varies depending on the cause, severity, and duration of the pain. Some methods for the treatment of sciatica can be listed as follows;

Doctors often prescribe pain relievers, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants to relieve sciatic pain. These drugs increase the patient’s quality of life by reducing the severity of pain.

Physical therapy can be used to reduce sciatic pain and increase muscle strength. Physical therapy includes a series of exercises and manual therapy methods applied according to the patient’s condition. These methods relieve pain by increasing the patient’s mobility.

Alternative treatment modalities such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and chiropractic can be effective in relieving sciatic pain. These methods may be recommended depending on the cause of the pain.

Interventional methods such as corticosteroid injections and nerve root blockade can be used to relieve sciatic pain. These methods are preferred especially in patients who do not respond to conservative treatment methods.

If the cause of sciatic pain is a structural problem in the spine, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, surgical treatment may be required. Surgical treatment aims to correct the structural problem that causes pain and is preferred in patients who do not respond to other treatment methods.

Which Department Takes Care of Sciatica?

Neurology, physical therapy and rehabilitation, orthopedics and neurosurgery departments usually deal with sciatica. Depending on the cause and severity of sciatic pain, patients are directed to one of these departments and an appropriate treatment plan is created.

What Happens If Sciatica Is Not Treated?

If sciatica is not treated, the following complications may occur;

• Chronic pain loss of function,
• Nerve damage,
• Surgical requirement,
• Successful results can be obtained with the treatment of sciatica,

Early diagnosis and the application of appropriate treatment methods. If you are experiencing sciatic pain, consult a healthcare professional to create an appropriate treatment plan and reduce the risk of complications.

Sciatica Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has succeeded in making its name known to the world with its investments and Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. We can see that patients and their relatives who want to come to Turkey are doing research on Sciatica Treatment Prices in Turkey. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.