You Need To Consider Doing This If Your Sciatica Is Not Improving With Massage
Sciatica is one of the most debilitating types of pain, often starting as a sharp, burning sensation that radiates from the lower back down through the hips and legs. Whether it’s caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or another issue, sciatica can severely limit your mobility and impact your ability to perform everyday tasks like walking, sitting, or standing for extended periods.
The emotional toll of sciatica can be just as overwhelming as the physical pain. The constant discomfort can lead to frustration, anxiety, and an overall sense of helplessness. If massage therapy hasn’t provided you with lasting relief, it may be time to explore alternative, more targeted treatments to address the root cause of your sciatica pain and find the long-term solution you need.
Massage: A Common Approach to Treating Sciatica
Massage therapy is widely used to help alleviate the discomfort of sciatica. Through various techniques like kneading, pressing, and applying pressure to the muscles, massage works to release tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. For many individuals, massage offers short-term relief from the tightness and muscle spasms that often accompany sciatica.
However, massage can be repetitive and time-consuming. While it can provide immediate relief, it may not address the underlying cause of the pain, meaning you might find yourself needing frequent sessions to maintain comfort. Additionally, the cost of multiple massage sessions adds up over time, potentially leaving you frustrated and financially strained.
Why Getting a Clear Diagnosis Is Crucial
Sciatica can arise from a variety of underlying conditions. Here are five common causes of sciatica:
- Herniated Disc – A slipped or ruptured disc in the spine can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain to radiate down the leg.
- Spinal Stenosis – Narrowing of the spinal canal can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness.
- Piriformis Syndrome – Tightness or inflammation in the piriformis muscle, located in the buttocks, can irritate the sciatic nerve, causing pain.
- Degenerative Disc Disease – Age-related degeneration of the discs in the spine can lead to nerve compression and sciatica.
- Spondylolisthesis – A condition where one vertebra slips over another, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve and causing pain.
In addition to these common causes, there are two less common but potentially more serious causes of sciatica:
- Spinal Tumors – Tumors near the spine can press on the sciatic nerve, leading to pain and neurological symptoms.
- Infections – Spinal infections can cause inflammation and compress the nerve roots, resulting in sciatica pain.
The Need for Imaging to Get a Precise Diagnosis
It’s important to recognize that sciatica cannot always be accurately diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans are crucial for identifying the root cause of the pain and determining the most effective treatment. These tools allow healthcare providers to assess the condition of the spine, nerves, and surrounding tissues, providing a clear diagnosis that can guide your treatment plan.
The Pain Relief Clinic: Your Partner in Finding a Clear Diagnosis
At The Pain Relief Clinic, we understand how sciatica can disrupt your life and leave you feeling trapped in a cycle of pain. With over a decade of experience, we specialize in offering non-invasive diagnostic services to identify the root cause of your sciatica. If you’ve been struggling with sciatica and haven’t found lasting relief, we can arrange for affordable scans, typically within one working day. Medisave can often be used to help cover the cost of these scans, making them more accessible for you.
We also assist with insurance claims, including accident insurance, travel insurance, and company insurance, ensuring that you can access the care you need without added financial stress.
Once we have a clear diagnosis, we can provide targeted treatments, solutions, and non-invasive technology to help you overcome sciatica and regain your mobility.
Ready to take control of your sciatica pain? Send us a message today to arrange an appointment and begin your journey toward lasting relief from sciatica.
What To Expect When I Visit The Pain Relief Clinic
A typical visit will involve our doctor first understanding your medical history, concerns and previous experience with other pain treatments.
For patients who have consulted many people but have yet to receive a clear diagnosis, selecting an affordable imaging scan might be recommended to confirm the cause of your pain..
Some patients have already done scans with other doctors for their pain condition but are still not clearly told what they suffer from.
Dr Terence Tan is happy to offer you a second opinion and recommend how best to manage your condition.
We also see patients who already have a confirmed diagnosis from specialist pain doctors, but are "stuck” because treatment options offered are not practical or acceptable.
We can help by discussing options that you might have potentially never been told of.
A common experience is when a patient has already consulted a specialist doctor for pain management and is told to consider orthopaedic surgery which they find too aggressive.
Or they may have seen doctors for their pain and were prescribed painkillers with potential side effects which made them feel uncomfortable.
Many of our patients have also first tried complementary treatments or acupuncture with traditional Chinese pain doctors.
They look for a second opinion after finding any relief experienced from other treatments to be temporary or requiring repetitive treatments, which add up to time and cost.
Especially in such situations, we emphasize using non-invasive medical technology you likely have not been told about .
This can make a big difference to your results.