The condition known as sciatica is often marked by a shooting pain that begins in the lower back and radiates down one leg. It is also known to cause tingling, numbness and weakness in the buttocks, leg and/or foot. The ailment is triggered when pressure is placed on the nerve that runs from the lower back and down each leg (the sciatic nerve).
This pressure often comes from a condition such as a herniated disc or bone spur on your vertebrae. It can also be elicited by age-related changes in the spine as well as obesity or pregnancy. Furthermore, those who sit for prolonged periods or live a more sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than those who are more active. This is also true for individuals who work in environments that require repetitive lifting, twisting, or bending.
While it may be only a nuisance to some, it can be quite debilitating for others. Regardless of the severity, it is important to seek medical care if you suspect you have sciatica as even mild cases can worsen in time.
The most severe cases of sciatica can result in permanent nerve damage or even a loss of bowel and bladder function. Thankfully, there is relief, and it comes in the form of a natural remedy.
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP, is an increasingly popular form of pain relief. PRP injections are made directly from your own cells and can be extremely effective for many musculoskeletal conditions, depending on the severity and other factors surrounding the damaged tissue.
What to Expect from the Procedure
First, one of our medical practitioners will begin by drawing your blood. Next, the blood is placed through a centrifuge, a device that spins to separate the two main components of blood: platelets and plasma.
While the plasma is the mass liquid portion of blood, the platelets are the cells that circulate within our blood, making up for less than 1% of its total. Though it may make up a very small portion of blood, these platelets play an integral role in the body’s healing process.
Therefore, when concentrated amounts are injected into a damaged part of the body, in this case the back, they go to work facilitating renewal and tissue regeneration in the affected area. The result? A reduction of pain, discomfort, and inflammation.
Following the procedure, there is relatively no down time. Other than making sure to stay hydrated before and after getting blood drawn, our patients can resume their typical day to day activities as normal. As customary with getting blood drawn, some bruising and soreness at the injection site may develop but should subside quickly.
Contact Our Medical Practice
If you are looking for effective and long-lasting relief for sciatica, contact our medical facility today at (661) 441-3501 for a complimentary consultation. Our doctors are committed to alleviating your pain, getting you moving again, and restoring you to live a more dynamic lifestyle.