Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 10/2/2006

Question
I RECENTELY WOKE UP WITH LOWER BACK PAIN.  THE PAIN IN MY BACK HAS CALMED DOWN.  BUT NOW I HAVE A SHOOTING & NUMBING PAIN GOING DOWN MY RIGHT LEG.  STARTING FROM MY HIP ENDING AT MY TOES.  ALSO MY RIGHT HAND IS NUMB.  I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL & THEY GAVE ME ROBAXIN & ULTRAM.  TOOK THEM BUT THE PAIN HASN'T GONE AWAY.  IS THERE SOMETHING I CAN DO AT HOME TO CORRECT THIS SO I CAN LIVE A NORMAL LIFE AGAIN.  

Answer
Dear D'andre,

Unfortunately, you went to the wrong place for evaluation.  The hospital (E.R.) is concerned with people who have immediately life threatening conditions and chronic debilitating conditions.  If you walk in with pain, but no trauma, you will usually get a cursory examination, some pain meds, and a request to follow up with your family physician if you do not improve. Sound familiar?  You need to realize they have more pressing issues such as fractures, heart attacks, gun shot wounds, etc...

There is no specific home treatment for sciatic nerve pain, if it is truely a sciatic nerve problem.  Without functional testing and radiographic testing, the pain you are experiencing could actually be comming from the neck (called a long track sign/cord impingement), or the sacroilliac joint.  A good functional examination is the only true way to tell.  Not to mention your complaint of hand numbness may mean something more like the long track sign I spoke of, possible multiple sclerosis, or even a brain tumor.  I don't want to scare you, these pathologies are remote, but the point is that your dysfunction needs to be explored more thoroughly.

I would suggest to you that you check into getting a chiropractic evaluation with x-rays to determine if there is disk derangement, joint dysfunction or muscular compression that is irritating the sciatic nerve. X-rays will aslo be able to rule out tumors, compression fractures, and other pathology. You should check qualifications and find a dcotor that has post-docotoral training.  Certifications in orthopedics or sport injuries will usually denote a more proficient chiropractic physician, and ask around for references to a doctor others in your peer group have utilized.  Not to mention you need to explain the hand numbness as well to see if it is related or a seperate condition.

In the mean time, light stretching of the low back and buttock muscles can help abate the pain, but go easy to start.  You should use ice packs, not heat, for pain.  If you want to take a hot shower to help alleviate any associated muscular pain, that is okay, but remember to ice the low back when you get out for 15-20 minutes.  Also never place ice packs directly on the skin, use a thin towel or cloth.  NO HEATING PADS...they increase inflammation while dehydrating the tissue.  It may also be helpful to place a pillow under your legs at night while on your back to alleviate tension on the sciatic nerve.

Lastly, with sciatic type pain, there is almost always a biomechanical cause of the pain.  Chiropractic care is very effective in improving biomechanics, reducing pain, and can actually eliminate it if the condition has not progressed to far.  If this pain is new, this is the best time to actually find the problem and start to rectify it before it becomes worse.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman