Sciatica: Foundations of diagnosis and conservative treatment

Book excerpt: This book summarizes research about sciatica for clinicians such as chiropractors, physical therapists, primary care providers, osteopaths, and physiatrists. Well-informed patients will also benefit from reading this book. This book uses thousands of references, hundreds of images, original illustrations, and case studies to review mechanisms of pain, examination techniques, and treatment of sciatica. While the focus is on non-pharmaceutical and minimally invasive treatments, this book also reviews the indications for more invasive procedures. Each chapter also includes a historical review dating back decades or centuries, which puts the newer treatments in perspective.In this book you will learn: What is sciatica and does it always relate to the spine? What common features occur in most cases of sciatica? Has our concept of what causes sciatica changed over time? What does it mean when symptoms are above the knee or below the knee? Can imaging help determine if disc lesions are causing symptoms? Does sciatica mean you are just getting old? What mechanisms allow disc herniations to heal? What percentage of cases of sciatica typically require surgery? What are the most effective non-pharmaceutical treatments for sciatica? What vitamins and natural substances are beneficial for sciatica?