Month: October 2023

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Foot and Ankle Ligament Tears

Posted on by Will Bozeman

Your foot and ankle ligaments play a vital role in enabling everyday movements such as walking, running, jumping, or climbing stairs – but they are not entirely immune to injuries such as tears and sprains. 

Today, it is estimated that nearly 40% of adults will suffer from foot pain at least once in their lives, and acute ankle sprains account for approximately 20% of all injury-related emergency department visits. Despite how common and impactful these musculoskeletal problems are, the common lines of treatment prescribed – such as painkillers and corticosteroid injections – are still inefficient in treating the root cause of pain and inflammation.  

Fortunately, you no longer need to endure the side effects of medications or resort to surgery to regain your foot and ankle function. Thanks to the superior Platelet-Rich Plasma injections offered at Orthagenex, you can support your body’s self-healing capabilities and get back on your feet. Here’s all you need to know.

Foot and Ankle Ligament Tears – Overview

Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissues that link one bone to another. They are responsible for keeping your joints stable, controlling movement, and preventing injuries such as dislocations. 

Each foot has over 30 ligaments. These resilient “ropes” stabilize the gait, redistribute your body weight as you walk, provide support to the arch of the foot, and act as powerful shock absorbers. 

The ligaments in the foot and ankle – which include the plantar fascia, the calcaneocuboid ligament, and the lisfranc ligament – run along the arch of the foot, across its width, and over the heel. This structure connects the different structures of the foot, such as the heel, ankle joint, toes, and sole.

Arthritis at ankle joint (Gout , Rheumatoid arthritis)

Several factors, such as direct trauma, overuse, and non-contact injuries, can cause these ligaments to stretch beyond capacity, extend in the wrong direction, or wear down. This can lead to tears, sprains, or, in severe cases, ruptures (which occur when the ligament is completely detached from the bone). 

Causes of foot and ankle ligament tears include:

  • Direct blows and traumatic injuries that involve the ankle or foot
  • Falling or landing on your feet in an awkward position, which can lead to twisting your ankle
  • Objects or another person falling on the foot
  • Regularly running or walking on uneven surfaces (i.e.: participating in jogging or trail running)

Ligament tears are made more likely due to the degeneration that occurs normally as you age. This wear and tear can be aggravated by factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, wearing improper footwear, or having a sedentary lifestyle. 
Additionally, due to the extra weight your body may carry, you can be at higher risk of foot ligament and tendon injuries if you are overweight or obese.

Symptoms of Foot and Ankle Ligament Tears

If you have mildly twisted your ankle, the chances are that the pain you are experiencing is nothing more than a minor, temporary issue. In these cases, you may regain your foot function through some at-home remedies and rest. 

Nonetheless, recurring or acute ligament tears should not be underestimated. According to studies, approximately 70% of acute ankle sprain cases lead to long-lasting complications such as chronic ankle instability (CAI), chronic pain, and reduced mobility. 

Ligament tears are categorized into three grades of severity:

  • Grade I – Light stretching of the ligament that causes a very mild tear
  • Grade II – A more serious but incomplete tear that can cause some ankle instability
  • Grade III – A completely torn (ruptured) ligament, which causes significant instability.

Ankle ligament tears can occur due to different movements, which will determine the location of the symptoms:

  • Inversion, or rolling your ankle inwards
  • Eversion, or rolling your ankle outward
  • High ankle sprain, which occurs when the foot is stretched upwards (toward the shin) beyond capacity

Depending on the nature and severity of your ligament tear, you are likely to experience the following symptoms: 

  • A “popping” sound, usually accompanied by acute pain, at the time of injury
  • Pain that spreads around the ankle and across the lower leg area
  • Pain that intensifies during movement or after periods of rest 
  • Swelling, stiffness, and a sensation of warmth, which are consequences of the inflammatory response
  • Bruising 
  • Ankle weakness
  • Joint instability and difficulty in load-bearing
  • Having trouble walking 
  • Reduced range of motion 

If the tears are associated with improper foot mechanics, you may also suffer other complications, such as abnormal bony growth. These occur when the body attempts to repair tissues damaged by inflammation and overuse by growing new bone tissue.

Conventional Treatment Options

Foot ligament sprains are, in some cases, a minor problem that will resolve on its own in just a few days or weeks. For a mild tear, techniques such as RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) can help decrease swelling and inflammation, thus improving foot and ankle function. 

However, if you’ve suffered an acute tear or you are experiencing chronic foot pain and dysfunction, your doctor may prescribe one of the conventional treatment options available: NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, or surgery. 

These lines of treatment do very little to tackle the root cause of your foot condition, and they may expose you to significant risks and side effects. Let’s look at these options in more detail below.

Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroids work by mimicking the action of cortisol, a hormone produced naturally by your body, which is responsible for regulating inflammation and pain perception.

Typically, corticosteroids are injected directly into the area causing discomfort (the ankle or foot, in this case). Once injected, the crystals contained in the formulation gradually release pain-killing substances, which lead to a more sustained analgesic effect compared to other pain medications. 

Despite their widespread usage in treating various types of pain, corticosteroids may not always be the most suitable or safest treatment option available. Long-term usage of corticosteroids can interfere with your adrenal glands – the cortisol-producing powerhouses of your body – and even lead to cartilage breakdown. 

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly prescribed medications during emergency department visits for ankle and foot ligament tears.

These medications work by inhibiting the COX (cyclooxygenase) enzyme, which plays a crucial role in producing prostaglandins. These are essentially chemicals that trigger inflammation within your body. Lower prostaglandin production equals lessened inflammation and pain – temporarily, at least. 
While these medications are affordable and accessible as an over-the-counter solution, their consumption should not be taken lightly. Indeed, long-term use of NSAIDs has been seen to be associated with side effects such as stomach ulcers, kidney dysfunction, risk of addiction, and higher likelihood of heart attack and stroke.

Arthroscopy

If you are suffering from serious ligament tears or rupture, your doctor may suggest one of two surgeries: arthroscopy or open ligament reconstruction surgery. 

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive strategy, offering surgeons a clear view of the joint’s inner structures. This is achieved by making a small cut and inserting a tiny camera attached to a narrow, flexible tube. The viewing instrument can be used to diagnose the extent of the damage, as well as to guide surgical techniques to alleviate ligament pressure and remove any debris causing discomfort and inflammation.

However, while arthroscopy is less invasive than other methods, it’s not devoid of risk. For example, there could be negative reactions to anesthesia, infection risks, and less effective outcomes.

Ligament Reconstruction Surgery 

If your ligaments are severely damaged, your physician might suggest a reconstruction. This procedure can follow two methods: Brostrom-Gould or tendon transfer. 

In the Brostrom-Gould method, surgeons stabilize the ligaments using stitches. On the other hand, tendon transfer replaces the damaged ligament with tissue from a healthy tendon. This replacement could be harvested from elsewhere in your body or from a donor, and, during the operation, it is securely fastened using stitches, screws, and pins.

Before opting for ligament reconstruction surgery, it’s crucial to weigh its risks. Complications can include infection, bleeding, or nerve damage during surgery, or even problems with the healing process post-operation. Moreover, the transplanted tendon might not integrate well into your foot or ankle, leading to limited mobility or potential future injuries.

Even in the best-case scenarios, invasive procedures come with lengthy recovery and rehabilitation periods.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP? 

PRP – which stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma – is a form of regenerative therapy that uses the patient’s own blood. After being collected, these blood samples are concentrated to offer far higher concentrations of platelets than baseline values. 

Platelets are the component of the blood responsible for enabling healing processes such as blood clotting. To add to the healing potential of platelets is the fact that they are extraordinarily rich in growth factors. 

Found within platelets in “pockets” known as alpha granulate, growth factors are proteins capable of stimulating the activity of stem cells within the site of injury. What’s more, these proteins are able to activate the transformation process of adult stem cells into other cells needed to replace and regenerate damaged tissues.  

They can also “call to action” repair cells from across the body to the injured site. 

Being rich in platelets, PRP offers a simple, safe, and effective way of delivering growth factors to the area in need. Acting as “espresso shots”, these growth factors will stimulate the body’s ability to heal damaged tissues – such as torn ankle and foot ligaments.

PRP for Foot and Ankle Ligament Tears 

The capacity of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to boost your body’s natural healing abilities makes it an integral component of regenerative therapies. Regenerative orthopedics, for example, utilizes PRP to effectively address conditions like joint instability, arthritis, muscle strains, and tears in ligaments and tendons.

Up to this point, more than 30 randomized trials have demonstrated how PRP can stimulate the healing abilities of stem cells at injury sites. Given the safety level of PRP injections and their efficiency in boosting the body’s self-healing capabilities, this is now considered a superior alternative to treatment options such as corticosteroids and pain medications. 

Specifically, in the treatment of foot and ankle ligament tears, studies have confirmed the potential of PRP. Here’s an overview of current research:

  • Although there are several factors influencing the outcomes of PRP, this therapy can be used in the treatment of connective tissue injuries (i.e.: ligament and tendon tears), and it can aid the recovery process. (2014)
  • PRP can significantly reduce the pain associated with ankle sprains, and lead to better clinical results than other treatment options. (2022)
  • Patients with a lateral ankle sprain treated with PRP achieved a higher reduction in pain and better functional scores than patients treated with immobilization 8 weeks following the injection. (2020)
  • A single PRP injection contributed to the quick and safe return to play of Rugby Union athletes suffering from chronic ankle ligament conditions. (2015)

Why are Orthagenex PRP Injections Superior?

The studies reported above show that Platelet Rich Plasma has the potential to be a far safer and more efficient alternative to painkillers, corticosteroid injections, and surgery for the treatment of foot and ankle ligament tears. 

Nonetheless, not all PRP therapies advertised on the market are equally efficient – nor do they lead to the same results. So, what makes the solutions offered at Orthagenex superior?

There are four main features that take the Orthagenex PRP protocol to the next level:

  • The use of image guidance to accurately deliver PRP injections to the site of injury
  • Lab-processed solutions to boost the concentrations of platelets and reduce unfavorable components
  • Ad hoc injectates that are customized around the unique needs and health goals of each patient
  • Doctors who are highly trained in Interventional Orthopedics

The combination of these features allows Orthagenex to offer a superior form of PRP – a high-dose PRP.

Below, we’ll look in detail at each of these features and discover how our core competencies help us achieve better health outcomes. 

Interventional Orthopedics

Orthagenex’s cutting-edge protocols have pioneered the development of a new, recognized medical specialty: interventional orthopedics. This field is based on three pillars: 

  1. The use of injections, like PRP, to promote tissue regeneration and support the body’s own healing capabilities.
  2. The use of imaging guidance to boost precision in needle positioning
  3. The continuous improvement of injection solutions and delivery techniques that can lead to better health outcomes.

Image-Guidance to Place PRP Solutions

Imaging guidance refers to all of those techniques and tools used to reduce reliance on tactile sensations while delivering injections to the site of injury. These techniques allow the physician performing the injection to maintain real-time visuals of the needle from the moment it enters the skin onward. 

Currently, as standard procedure, US clinics offering PRP do not use imaging guidance. This can lead to a higher rate of mispositioning of the needle, thus causing surgeons to miss the target location of PRP injections. Even in those cases when imaging guidance is used, physicians usually don’t have the knowledge and training necessary to accurately interpret results. 

That’s where Orthagenex sets itself apart. At our clinics, imaging guidance is used throughout each PRP injection as part of our standard protocol. To achieve greater precision, we take advantage of two of the most advanced imaging guidance techniques available:

  • Ultrasound guidance, which uses ultrasound waves to offer real-time position data of the needle as it enters the skin
  • Fluoroscopy, which offers real-time, multi-angle X-ray images of the needle’s positioning as it targets the site of injury.

Not only are these techniques used in combination, but they are also delivered by a team of specialized technicians trained to accurately interpret results.

Lab-Processed for Higher Concentrations of Platelets

Besides the accuracy of needle positioning, the efficacy of PRP therapies in boosting the body’s ability to heal damaged tissues is also determined by two factors: the concentration of platelets and the purity of the injectates.

However, the tools and techniques used by most clinics offering PRP in the use aren’t powerful enough to create super-concentrated, pure injections. This is because, in most cases, standard bedside centrifuges are used. 

These centrifuges work by spinning the blood sample and separating the different components of the blood. They are not, however, efficient in optimizing the concentrations of platelets – nor in removing unfavorable components (i.e.: white and red blood cells). What makes these injections even less efficient is the fact that they are immediately delivered to the site of injury after processing, without further customization processes. 

To offer superior High-Dose PRP, Orthagenex employs in-house laboratories. After collection, blood samples are delivered to our cellular labs, where they are processed using cutting-edge techniques. These processes help guarantee optimal platelet volumes, as well as purer and entirely customized injections. 

The chart below offers an overview of the differences between Orthagenex’s protocols and the techniques used by most other orthopedic clinics in the nation. 

Other clinicsOrthagenex
Tools used to create PRPBedside centrifuges, usually located on the patient’s bedside. Specialized laboratories equipped with cutting-edge equipment
Protocol to perform PRPAfter being centrifuged, PRP is immediately injected into the site of the injury The blood sample is concentrated, purified, and customized before injection. 
Resulting concentration of platelets in PRPMaximum 2-4 times higher than “normal blood” values 10-30 times higher than “normal blood” values. 

Amber PRP vs. Red PRP

Platelet Rich Plasma comes in two forms, which can be distinguished by their color:

  • Red PRP: This solution appears red, due to the high presence of both white and red blood cells along with platelets. The medical term for this is Leukocyte-Rich PRP or LR-PRP. 
  • Amber PRP: This type of PRP has a distinct amber color due to the lower concentration of white and red blood cells. It is referred to medically as Leukocyte-Poor PRP or LP-PRP.

In essence, the color difference is determined by the presence specific blood cells. According to the lab tests conducted at Orthagenex, these blood cells can have an unfavorable effect on PRP outcomes. Simply, red and white blood cells can contribute to inflammation at the site of injury, and they may have an inhibiting effect on the repair cells that PRP is attempting to stimulate. 

Amber PRP is purer, less inflammatory, and offers higher concentrations of platelets. These features make Amber LP-PRP the solution of choice at Orthagenex. 

Next-Generation Platelet Lysate 

Just like Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Platelet Lysate (PL) enhances the action of repair cells at the site of injury thanks to optimized concentrations of platelets and growth factors. 

However, some characteristics of PL make it a better alternative in some cases. Firstly PL is remarkably anti-inflammatory. Additionally, these injections release growth factors en-masse to the site of injury, thus leading to faster results. 

The chart below offers an overview of the two therapies offered at Orthagenex. 

PRPPL
Releases platelets and growth factors over time to the site of the injury, usually over a week.Growth factors are released immediately, en masse, to the site of the injury. 
May cause some degree of inflammation upon injection.It is anti-inflammatory. 
May not be as suitable for treating sensitive areas. It can be used around sensitive areas (e.g. near nerves and the spinal cord).

While most clinics across the US are just beginning to offer Platelet Lysate to their patients, Orthagenex is now making the third and fourth generations of PL injections available as part of our standard treatments. Our main focus remains on continuously developing better, more efficient PL injectates. 

PRP Customized To Every Patient’s Need

Besides the high concentrations of platelets, what makes our high-dose PRP protocol superior is the level of customization we offer to each patient. 

At Orthagenex, we understand that foot and ankle ligament tears are complex disorders that can manifest themselves with a variety of symptoms and impacts. Because of this, we leverage specialized in-house cellular laboratories to tailor each injection to the patient’s needs and desired health outcomes. 

Here’s an overview of our customization process: 

Lab-Processed PRP Solutions

At Orthagenex, we believe in going beyond conventional practices. Instead of using basic centrifuge machines, we take advantage of cutting-edge cellular lab environments. Here, our highly trained specialists use state-of-the-art equipment to tailor each injection for optimized health outcomes. 

Each formulation is created ad hoc, and it undergoes several stages of processing to ensure greater concentrations of platelets, higher levels of purity, and fine-tuned components. 

Bone Marrow Concentrate Can Be Used 

Bone marrow concentrate (BMC) works alongside PRP as an additional regenerative therapy. BMC’s primary aim is to boost the levels of restorative repair cells in the areas of the body (such as the ankle and foot) that have suffered injuries, degeneration, pain, and inflammation.

In BMC, samples of the liquid part of the bone marrow are collected by creating a thin tunnel into the bone, usually near the pelvis. This bone marrow, which is extraordinarily rich in stem cells, is then concentrated and purified, before being re-injected into the site of injury. Here, the injectate replenishes the levels of stem cells and optimizes the body’s ability to heal naturally. 

Doctors Specializing in Interventional Orthopedics

If, at Orthagenex, we are able to offer superior Platelet-Rich Plasma therapies it is thanks to our team of highly trained technicians and doctors. 

Each member of our team is a specialist in musculoskeletal disciplines, board-certified, and fellowship-trained. Our doctors are also among the 1% of physicians in the US who are trained in Interventional Orthopedics and imaging guidance. These numbers alone show how Orthagenex has been able to help more orthopedic patients than any other regenerative medicine clinic in the nation. 

Core Competencies

  • The use of imaging guidance to boost needle placement accuracy
  • Lab-processed solutions for higher concentrations of platelets
  • Formulations entirely customized to each patient’s needs
  • The use of the purer Amber LP-PRP injections
  • The availability of supplementary regenerative therapies, such as lysate (PL) and bone marrow concentrate (BMC)
  • The use of SANS – our proprietary method of evaluation for systemic inflammation and chronic pain conditions. 

Most chronic pain conditions deriving from systemic inflammation are non-specific, meaning that they can result from a wide range of causes and risk factors (including lifestyle and environmental factors). Without having a clear understanding of what’s causing a patient’s chronic pain, it can be hard for doctors to perform an accurate diagnosis and decide on a safe and efficient form of treatment. 

That’s where SANS comes in. SANS stands for Stability, Articulation, Neuromuscular, and Symmetry. Analyzing these aspects of chronic pain conditions allows our physicians to more accurately determine the extent, nature, location, and cause of chronic pain and inflammation. This knowledge can then help guide treatment decisions. 

Orthagenex – Your Alternative to Foot and Ankle Ligament Tears Surgery

Mild ankle sprains are something we have all experienced at least once in our lives. And, in most cases, they are nothing more than a temporary condition that can be resolved with at-home remedies. 

However, in some cases, ankle and foot ligament tears can be acute or chronic, which can lead to long-lasting instability, reduced range of motion, and inhibited performance. When this happens, you may be recommended one of three, equally undesirable lines of treatment: NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, or surgery. 
Nonetheless, there is no longer reason to endure the risks and side effects of these treatment options. The superior Platelet Rich Plasma injections offered at Orthaganex may help you regain your foot function and health by boosting your body’s natural ability to heal itself – without medications or surgery.

The Four Stages Of Migraine Headaches

Posted on by Will Bozeman

Today, it is estimated that over 12% of the population suffers from migraines, and a large percentage is affected by chronic episodes. While migraines aren’t life-threatening per se, they can have a profound impact on your mental health, physical well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life. 

That’s why, whether you are plagued by chronic headaches or looking to help a loved one diagnosed with migraines, it is vital to understand how this condition manifests itself. 

Migraines differ from other forms of pain in the head in the fact that they are classified as a neurological disorder, which derives from changes in the brain’s chemical reactions and pathways. Also, unlike other types of headaches, migraines occur in four distinct stages:

  • Prodrome
  • Aura
  • Migraine attack (headache)
  • Postdrome 

A lot about migraines isn’t yet well understood. However, educating yourself about the types and stages of migraines can help you improve your quality of life and even stop an attack as it begins to develop. Let’s cover these important topics in the sections below. 

 

1. Prodrome

The prodrome – also known as “pre-headache” – is often the first phase of a migraine. This premonitory phase is characterized by a range of symptoms and signs, which are usually related to visual changes, mood swings, and dysfunction of systems such as digestion. 

The prodrome phase usually develops within hours or days after you are exposed to a trigger. This phase indicates that a full-scale migraine attack is coming. However, there is a lot that you can do to halt the migraine as it develops, especially during this early stage. 

Some key takeaways include:

  • Identify what triggers your migraine attacks and avoid these lifestyle or environmental factors. Common migraine triggers include lack of sleep, skipping meals, high-stress levels, and hormonal changes, as well as certain foods, drinks, smells, or lights. 
  • Know the symptoms of the prodrome phase to act quickly. Prodrome symptoms and timeline can change from one person to another. Nonetheless, learning to recognize the ones that affect you can help you take preventive measures to block or reduce the intensity of the upcoming migraine attack. 
  • Avoid further exposure to triggers by staying hydrated, avoiding skipping meals, and trying stress management techniques. 
  • Take action to stop the upcoming attack. Some good practices include avoiding strong smells, lights, and sounds, taking a nap or resting, and using heating pads and ice packs to reduce tension. Stick to the treatment plan you’ve developed with your doctor. 

You should also learn to recognize the difference between prodrome symptoms and the signs of an aura. While these two experiences can overlap, they have distinct symptoms and durations. Learn more below.

 

Symptoms

As we have seen, premonitory symptoms can change significantly from one person to another. Common ones include:

  • Food cravings
  • Neck pain or stiffness
  • Sensitivity to sound, light, or smells
  • Mood changes, such as feeling depressed or irritable
  • Fatigue and lack of focus
  • Hyperactivity 
  • Digestive problems, such as constipation or diarrhea
  • Excessive yawning 
  • Fluid retention or increased urination

 

Duration

Usually, prodrome symptoms start between three days and 24 hours before a migraine, and the abnormal sensations can last for hours or days at a time. 

 

2. Aura

No two people suffering from migraines will have exactly the same experience. And premonitory signs can vary, too. 

Usually, migraines are divided into three categories:

  • Migraine with aura. These are headaches that are preceded by premonitory signs.
  • Migraine without aura. These headaches develop suddenly and without warning signs. 
  • Silent migraines. These are defined by experiencing an aura, which is not followed by a headache. 

 

Around a third of people with migraines will experience at least one premonitory sign. These can be abnormal sensations, impaired speech, unexplained mood changes, or visual and motor disturbances. 

Although the causes of aura are not clear, research links these symptoms to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Below, we’ll look at the distinctive signs and duration of aura.

 

Symptoms

The aura phase is different from one person to another. However, learning to recognize the symptoms you tend to experience can help you go to a dark room or to rest, which may decrease the intensity of the upcoming headache. 

These symptoms include:

  • Visual disturbances, such as seeing dots, sparks of light, zig-zag lines, or blind spots. You may also have tunnel vision, vision loss, or blurred vision. In some cases, you may also experience hallucinations. 
  • Sensorimotor aura, or motor and sensory disturbances. These symptoms include impaired movement, tingling or numbness in the face and arms, weakness, and changes in smell or taste. 
  • Speech issues, such as impaired or slurred speech, mumbling, trouble writing, communication problems, difficulty understanding what people are saying, and cognitive problems (i.e. problems with your thinking). 

Other symptoms can also develop. For example, some people experience sensations of being touched, ringing in the ears, or feeling like they are looking at objects through water. 

 

Duration

The neurological symptoms of an aura tend to develop in the 24 hours before the headache. In most cases, symptoms intensify shortly before the migraine attack, usually within 10 – 60 minutes. 

 

3. Headache Or Migraine Attack

The headache is the main phase of a migraine attack. During this stage, you are likely to experience severe throbbing pain, sensitivity to lights and sounds, sleep disturbances, and problems like nausea and vomiting. 

The pain can be so intense that it prevents you from being able to work or concentrate, and it can force you to lie in a dark, quiet room for hours at a time. 

Understanding what symptoms characterize your migraine can help you find a line of treatment that can help ease your symptoms. These are “rescue” treatments that won’t help treat the root cause of migraines but can ease symptoms during flare-ups. 

 

Symptoms

Each migraine attack varies in intensity and nature. Some of the most common symptoms you may experience include are:

 

  • Severe throbbing pain. The pain is usually localized to one side of the face, but it can move from one side to the other during an attack. Painful sensations can spread to the neck and shoulders and be so severe to interfere with daily activities and sleep. 

Migraine pain derives from abnormal waves of activity among excitable brain cells. These cells signal chemicals (such as serotonin and estrogen) to narrow blood vessels and nerve endings, which causes throbbing pain. 

  • Sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. During a migraine attack, you may be over-sensitive to stimuli, including noise, odors, taste, and light. This symptom develops due to changes in how the brain processes stimuli. Lying in a dark, quiet room can help. 
  • Nausea and vomiting. These symptoms occur in around a third of migraine attacks. Vomiting may represent the last stage of a headache, and it may have a stimulating effect on the vagus nerve, which may help relieve pain. 
  • Fatigue and cognitive difficulties. During a migraine attack, you may feel extremely fatigued, tired, and unable to concentrate. Suffering from chronic migraines can also have a long-lasting impact on your cognitive abilities and increase the risk of dementia and other psychiatric disorders. 

These symptoms are often a consequence of the pain, nausea, sleep deprivation, and hypersensitivity you experience during a migraine. 

 

Other symptoms that may occur during a migraine attack include:

 

Duration

A migraine attack can last from several hours to a few days. In particular, the most intense symptoms last around four hours. However, if left unaddressed, pain, vomiting, dizziness, and hypersensitivity can last up to 72 hours. 

 

4. Postdrome

The postdrome phase – also known as “migraine hangover” – occurs after the headache and pain have subsided. During this stage, you’ll experience muscle weakness, feel tired or confused, and suffer pain and discomfort anywhere in the body.

Although this stage signals the end of a migraine attack, it can increase your recovery time or delay your return to work. To reduce the syndrome of postdrome, follow best practices such as:

  • Staying hydrated
  • Practicing mild stretching
  • Reducing stress
  • Keeping safe from migraine triggers (e.g. skipping meals, or bright lights)
  • Using medications as instructed by your doctor

 

Symptoms

Postdrome symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Sore body or muscles
  • Unexplained mood changes or sensations, such as feeling euphoric or depressed
  • Brain fog
  • Dehydration 
  • Lack of focus

 

Duration

The timeline and duration of a migraine attack can vary from one person to another. However, studies have shown that postdrome symptoms occur in around 88% of cases and last an average of 24 hours. Some residual symptoms – such as weakness and confusion – can linger for up to 48 hours after the headache.

 

When To Seek Medical Help For Migraines

While migraines are not necessarily life-threatening, they can profoundly impact your life. Those battling this condition miss an average of 4.4 days of work per year and have a further 11 days of reduced productivity. Increased medical costs, lack of sleep, and excessive stress can also contribute to declining mental and cognitive health. 

To make things worse is the fact that episodic migraines, which occur less than 15 times a month, can become chronic and cause people to deal with over 15 days of headache a month. In this case, seeking adequate treatment can help your condition regress into episodic headaches, which are milder, less disruptive, and easier to manage. 

You should also seek immediate medical care if, at any stage of your migraine episode, you experience symptoms such as numbness, vision loss, shortness of breath, chest pain, nosebleeds, high fever, or slurred speech. These symptoms can indicate another underlying and potentially life-threatening condition, such as a stroke.

The signs that you should see a doctor without delay include: 

  • Several headaches per month that last for hours or days. These indicate a chronic condition that, unless properly managed, can interfere with your daily life. 
  • Headaches that affect daily functions. If you are unable to sleep, go to work, or concentrate on a task due to your headaches, you should find a line of treatment that can help you reduce the frequency and intensity of your attacks. 
  • Nausea, vomiting, or sensory disturbances. These symptoms are common in some people with migraines. But if your migraine attacks don’t usually come with nausea, vomiting and sensory disturbances, and you suddenly experience these symptoms, they may indicate complications such as neurological problems. 
  • Severe headaches with stiff neck. A headache accompanied by stiffness and pain in the neck can indicate trauma, infections, or pinched nerves, which require a different line of treatment.
  • Pain around the ear or eye. Pain around an eye can indicate a case of ocular or retinal migraine, which is a rare condition that can lead to temporary vision changes or vision loss.
  • Headaches starting without warning. Headaches that strike suddenly and without warning (known as thunderclap headaches) can indicate severe, potentially life-threatening problems such as bleeding in and around the brain. 

 

Find Relief For Migraine At Any Stage With Neuragenex

Migraines can interfere with your personal and professional lives. To make things worse is also the fact that doctors may recommend treatments that do very little to treat the root cause of your disease, while exposing you to unnecessary side effects. 

Fortunately, there’s another path to regaining your health. The Neurofunctional Pain Management protocol pioneered by Neuragenex can help you tackle the systemic inflammation at the root of most migraine attacks – without medications or surgery. 

Through electroanalgesia, IV therapy, and lifestyle counseling, you can also better manage your stress levels, improve your sleep quality, and fine-tune your environment to reduce sensitivity to triggers.

Unraveling What Causes Sciatica And Buttock Pain

Posted on by Will Bozeman

If you are able to enjoy everyday actions such as standing, walking, or running, it is thanks to the sciatic nerves, which run from the lower back down the back of your legs. You can think of these nerves as a “freeway” where signals relating to sensation and movement are transported from the lower part of your body to the brain and vice-versa. 

When these nerves become trapped, irritated, inflamed, or damaged, they cause what’s known as “sciatica,” a painful condition that affects up to 40% of people at least once in their lifetime. Although sciatica is often a temporary condition that resolves itself with adequate care, it can sometimes derive from a more serious cause, such as tumor, bone overgrowth, and disc degeneration.

Because of this, it is essential to seek an accurate diagnosis and a sustainable line of treatment as soon as your symptoms appear. In this guide, we’ll look at how the Neurofunctional Pain Management approach pioneered by Neuragenex can help you tackle systemic inflammation and chronic pain at the root of sciatica and pain in the buttocks without medications or surgery. Let’s dive in!

Anatomy Of Sciatic Nerves

To better understand the symptoms, causes, and prognosis of sciatica, let’s start by looking at what sciatic nerves are and what happens when you develop sciatica.

Sciatic nerves are the longest and thickest nerves in the body, with a diameter of up to 3 quarters of an inch. These nerves emerge from the sacral portion of the spinal cord (L4 to S3 nerve roots) – your lower back. From here, the two sciatic nerves run through the buttocks and down the backs of the legs to reach the feet

Each sciatic nerve is, in fact, a bundle of nerves that split off just below the knee to connect the different components of the upper leg, lower leg, and foot to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

The main role of the sciatic nerve is to carry sensory and motor signals:

  • Sensory signals are signals relating to sensations such as pain, vibration, temperature, and touch.
  • Motor signals are signals relating to muscle movements.

Sciatica refers to any medical condition or disorder that causes the sciatic nerves to become compressed, irritated, inflamed, or damaged. These conditions prevent the nerves from carrying signals to and from the brain as they are supposed to, which leads to nerve pain, numbness, and even temporary loss of movement.

Below, we’ll look at the symptoms, types, and causes of sciatica in more detail.

 

Sciatica And Pain In The Buttocks

If you have been struggling with pain in the buttocks that is not going away, or you are experiencing numbness and loss of movement in the buttock area and upper leg, you may have sciatica or sciatica-like conditions.

Here’s the difference between the two:

  • True sciatica. True sciatica refers to any condition that directly impacts one of the two sciatic nerves. 
  • Sciatica-like conditions. Sciatica mimics are conditions that cause similar symptoms to sciatica but occur for other reasons. These include piriformis syndrome and inflammatory sacroiliitis (inflammation of the sacroiliac joint).

Besides getting in the way of your everyday life, sciatica and pain in the buttocks can cause temporary disability and conceal more serious underlying conditions. To ensure you are getting adequate treatment in a timely manner, let’s look at what the symptoms and features of this condition are.

Defining The Symptoms

One of the most common symptoms of sciatica is pain, which tends to manifest with the following features:

  • Sharp or stabbing sensations
  • Localized in one side of the body (the same area where the affected nerve is located)
  • Radiating from the buttocks down the hip and leg
  • Intensifying after long periods of sitting, after strenuous exercise, or when sneezing or coughing

As damage and irritation to the sciatic nerve worsen, you may begin to experience other symptoms, including numbness, tingling (“pins and needles” sensations, also known as paresthesia), weakness, and temporary loss of movement.

  • A word of caution: The symptoms of sciatica may appear similar to those of cauda equina syndrome, which is considered to be a neurosurgical emergency that requires immediate intervention to avoid long-lasting neurological damage. If your buttock pain is accompanied by intense stabbing sensations, severe weakness, and loss of bladder or bowel control, seek immediate medical attention.

Where Else On The Body Does Sciatic Pain Occur?

Commonly, sciatica begins to develop as pain in the buttocks. Over time, as irritation of the sciatic nerve progresses, symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling begin to spread along the length of the sciatic nerve.

In turn, you may begin to experience discomfort, weakness, and temporary loss of movement in your lower back, upper leg, lower, leg, or foot.

Role Of Sciatic Nerve In Spine-Lower Body Transmission

As we have seen above, the sciatic nerve is like a “freeway”: a bundle of several nerve fibers that carry signals to and from the brain. These signals relate to movement and sensations, such as pain and touch.

A pinched, irritated, or damaged sciatic nerve won’t be able to transmit signals as it is supposed to, resulting in symptoms such as extreme sensitivity to touch, nerve pain, numbness, and tingling.

In severe cases, damage to the sciatic nerve can interfere with the function of the nerves and muscles responsible for controlling the bladder and bowel. If you experience urinary or fecal incontinence, you should seek immediate medical care.

 

10 Common Causes Of Sciatica And Butt Pain

In most cases, sciatica is a temporary condition that improves within 12 weeks without serious complications. However, as we have seen above, pain in the buttocks can camouflage more serious, long-lasting conditions that require adequate treatment – including disc herniation, abnormal bony growths, and even tumors.

Because of this, it is crucial to learn more about the causes of sciatica and determine the best line of treatment to avoid life-limiting complications. Let’s look at the most common conditions at the root of pain in the buttocks below.

 

1. Lumbar Disc Herniation

The spine is composed of small, circular bones, known as the vertebrae. These vertebrae are separated by the intervertebral discs, which are “cushions” of cartilage that allow movements such as flexion, extension, and rotation, and keep the spine flexible. They also protect the vertebrae from shock and friction damage.

Each intervertebral disc is composed of two main parts: an outer, stronger ring of cartilage and an inner, gel-like core. Although the intervertebral discs are incredibly reliable and capable of withstanding exceptional loads, factors such as overuse, aging, excessive stress, or injury can cause them to wear down.

When this happens, the outer ring of the intervertebral disc can become lax or crack, causing the softer core to protrude to nearby structures. Bulging or herniated discs can begin to press on, irritate, or damage adjacent spinal cord nerves, eventually leading to sciatica.

As the nerves are no longer able to transmit motor and sensory signals as expected, you may develop symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness.

 

2. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (Nerve Compression)

Another common cause of sciatica is lumbar spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis, or nerve compression, occurs due to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which is a cavity that houses the spinal cord. As this space in the spine narrows, the nerve roots are put under excessive pressure, which can interfere with the normal signaling of sensory and motor signals.

Spinal stenosis can occur due to several reasons and affect anyone, at any age. However, some common causes include:

 

  • The thickening and calcification of the ligaments that connect the vertebrae, which tend to occur with aging and affect the spine’s flexibility
  • Congenital factors, such as being born with a narrow spinal canal
  • Injuries and trauma that change the course of the spinal canal
  • Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, which cause the swelling of nearby structures
  • Abnormal bony growth
  • Spinal tumors

Besides pain in the buttocks, lumbar spinal stenosis can cause a unique set of symptoms. Let’s look at these below.

Increasing Pain Due To Nerve Compression

Spinal stenosis causes ongoing nerve compression, which leads to severe pain that radiates from the area affected (the lower back, in this case) to the upper and lower leg. When the nerve roots in the spine are compressed or damaged, they can also misfire, causing several neuropathic pain (or nerve pain) conditions, such as:

  • Allodynia. Allodynia refers to a condition that causes you to experience severe pain in response to stimuli that should normally be painless, such as dressing yourself or gently stroking your back.
  • Hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia causes excessive sensitivity to pain. This means that you may experience severe pain from stimuli that should only cause mild discomfort (such as pinching your back).

Paresthesia

Alongside misfiring and causing pain, compressed spinal nerve roots may also not be able to transfer sensory signals to the brain. This can lead to symptoms such as weakness and numbness, as well as a condition known as paresthesia.

Paresthesia refers to “pins and needles” sensations, which are often described as burning, prickling, itching, or “skin crawling” feelings. Depending on what nerve is affected by compression and irritation, these sensations can manifest in the hands, feet, buttocks, or other parts of the body.

 

3. Piriformis Syndrome

Accounting for only 0.6 to 3% of lower back pain cases, piriformis syndrome (PS) isn’t as common as disc herniation or spinal stenosis. PS can feel like sciatica, but it requires a different line of treatment to address the root cause of your pain in the buttocks.

So, what is piriformis syndrome? PS is a neuromuscular condition that occurs when the piriformis muscle becomes inflamed, tingling, or swollen and compresses the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is a narrow, flat muscle that runs from the lower spine, through the buttocks, to the top of the thigh.

When this muscle becomes enlarged or tight, it presses on a specific area of the sciatic nerve, causing the pain and numbness to be localized to a certain site. The pain tends to become more intense during activities such as climbing stairs, walking, running, or sitting for long periods of time.

Some of the most common causes of PS include:

  • Traumatic injury
  • Overuse 
  • Muscle spasms
  • Creation of scar tissue on the muscle
  • Inflammation and swelling
  • Poor muscle conditioning, having tight muscles, and limited physical activity 
  • Not maintaining proper form during exercise or not warming up or cooling down

 

4. Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disease is an incredibly widespread condition. It is estimated that up to 35% of adults over 30, and up to 90% of people aged 60, show signs of this disorder. However, not everyone will experience symptoms, and only 5% of low back pain cases can be traced back to degenerative disc disease.

This disease occurs due to the natural, age-related degeneration of the intervertebral discs, which are the discs located between the spine’s vertebrae. While it may affect anyone and its incidence increases with age, there are also some risk factors that may speed up the degeneration of the discs. These are:

  • Excessive stress on the spine (such as that caused by carrying excessive weight or being obese)
  • Overuse (such as repetitive hyperextension or arching of the back)
  • Smoking
  • Suffering acute injuries
  • Being female
  • Lifestyle factors (such as performing repetitive, forceful movements with your spine at work or during sports)

Degenerative disc disease works similarly to herniated discs: as the intervertebral discs degenerate, the outer ring begins to protrude and crack, causing the inner gel-like substance to protrude and press on nearby spinal nerve roots.

The main difference between the two conditions is that degenerative disc disease is primarily caused by aging and wear and tear. Degenerative disc disease is also a common risk factor for herniated discs.

 

5. Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint is a joint located near the bottom of the spine, just above the tailbone, and connects the sacrum with the pelvis. It plays a vital role in stabilizing the spine during movements such as sitting or walking.

Dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint occurs when flawed or abnormal movements take place. These include:

  • Misalignment of the joint during movement
  • Hypermobility or instability
  • Reduced mobility (hypomobility) or fixation

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction does not cause sciatica but can cause sciatica-like pain in the buttocks, lower back, and hips, and can radiate down the leg (usually above the knee, but it can sometimes also affect the ankle and foot).

Besides pain, this condition can also cause numbness, weakness, tingling sensations, disturbed sleeping patterns, and difficulty in sitting.

 

6. Tumors And Infections

In rare cases, sciatica and pain in the buttocks may be caused by tumors (abnormal growth of tissues) that press on and irritate the nerves within and around the spinal column. This can happen when the tumor is located near the spine or in the spinal canal. Some tumors that may appear as sciatic-like pain include:

  • Sciatic notch dumbbell tumors
  • Schwannoma 
  • Prostate gland tumor
  • Spinal or sacral neoplasms
  • Metastasis (cancer cells that have traveled from other parts of the body and get lodged in the spine)

Sciatica-like pain can also be caused by infections, such as blood vessel infections and spinal infections that develop into abscesses (swollen and infected masses).

 

7. Diabetes

Diabetes is considered to be the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy, or damage to nerves outside the brain and the spinal cord.

Today, up to 51% of people with diabetes are at risk of developing neuropathy. This is because the sharp rises and drops in blood sugar levels can eventually damage blood vessels. In turn, this can sever the supply of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to nerve endings, which, over time, degenerate and die.

Neuropathy can affect any nerve in the body and, although it is more common in the hands and feet, it can also affect the legs and buttocks, which causes symptoms similar to those of sciatica (especially in the legs).

 

8. Trauma Or Injury

Trauma or injury can lead to sciatica, pain in the buttocks, or conditions that mimic the symptoms of sciatica (e.g. lumbar spinal stenosis). This happens when fractures, ligament or tendon ruptures, and joint dislocations change the body’s mechanics.

Over time, improper mechanics can cause you to put more pressure on a certain aspect of the joint and prevent the body from distributing loads properly while walking, running, jumping, or lifting weights. When the areas affected are the spine, hips, buttocks, or legs, the sciatic nerve can become abnormally compressed or irritated during movement, thus leading to sciatica and sciatica-like pain.

 

9. Obesity

Besides accounting for over 12% of the years of disability reported by people with chronic back pain, both obesity and being overweight have been seen to be major risk factors for sciatica and lumbar radicular pain.

There are several reasons for this:

  • The increased weight you carry if you are obese or overweight puts the spine under excessive pressure, which increases the risk of disc herniation and degenerative disc disease.
  • Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes and arthritis, which may contribute to nerve pain and damage.
  • Being obese can make it harder to exercise and lead an active lifestyle. Poor conditioning and limited flexibility can increase the risk of injuries and diseases like piriformis syndrome. 
  • Excessively fatty body composition is linked to increased systemic inflammation and chronic pain, which can aggravate pain in your buttocks.

Lastly, an unhealthy diet, excessive weight, and limited exercise can increase recovery time from sciatica and sciatica-like conditions.

10. Poor Posture And Body Mechanics

Sciatica-like pain in the buttocks, as well as true sciatica, can derive from poor posture and abnormal body mechanics.

Poor sitting or standing posture (such as slouching or leaning forward to your desk) can increase strain in your lower back. At the same time, structural problems such as scoliosis can expose certain components that should be unaffected during movement to friction damage.

If not corrected promptly, poor posture and body mechanics can lead to undue pressure on nerves (such as the sciatic nerve) and associated symptoms, such as pain, numbness, and weakness.

 

Contributing Factors And Risk Factors

Above, we’ve looked at some of the most common causes of sciatica and sciatica-like pain. However, there are also other risk factors that, over time, can significantly increase the likelihood of experiencing chronic pain in the buttocks.

Let’s look at these risk factors below.

Age And Degeneration

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a normal aspect of the aging process. Over time, the discs lose their suppleness and flexibility, which increases the risk of herniation, tears, and bulging discs that can press on the sciatic nerve.

While you can’t turn back the hands of time, there is a lot that you can do to age healthily and control the rate at which intervertebral discs degenerate. For example, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthily, and staying active are just some of the strategies to manage the complications of obesity, diabetes, and osteoarthritis – which are all risk factors for low back pain and pain in the buttocks.

Lifestyle Factors

Certain lifestyle factors increase your risk of developing sciatica or pain in the buttocks. These include:

  • Limited physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle can make obesity more likely, while poor muscle conditioning increases the risk of injuries. 
  • Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Not only are these substances neurotoxic (toxic for nerves), but they also increase the risk of suffering from inflammatory diseases, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. 
  • Occupation and hobbies. You may be at greater risk of sciatica and pain in the buttocks if you often perform repetitive, forceful movements, such as heavy lifting, bending, jumping, and twisting.

Pregnancy and prolonged sitting can also put you at greater risk of developing sciatica or sciatica-like pain.

Injury And Trauma

Both new and old injuries can impact your risk of developing sciatica.

New injuries may cause damage to the body components located around the sciatic nerve, such as the hip, leg, pelvis, or buttocks. Traumatic injury can compress or damage the sciatic nerve, thus leading to temporary symptoms

An old injury that hasn’t properly healed may have similar consequences. If a fracture, dislocation, or surgical intervention has permanently changed certain aspects of your body’s mechanics, you may be inadvertently putting unexpected pressure on your sciatic nerve during daily activities

 

Conventional Treatment Options

If you have been struggling with sciatica or pain in the buttocks, the chances are that you’ve been recommended conventional lines of treatment, such as medications, physical therapy, or, in severe cases, surgery.

While these treatments may help you manage your pain and discomfort, they may not provide the long-lasting relief you are after. And, more importantly, they can expose you to undesirable side effects and risks.

Understanding the pros and cons of these treatment options is the first step toward finding a solution that works for your unique needs. Let’s start by looking at the common surgical and non-surgical lines of treatment commonly recommended for sciatic pain.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Non-surgical treatments are often the first port of call when you develop sciatica. After a few days of rest, you may resort to medications, physical therapy, and at-home remedies to manage the pain.

  • Medications – Pain medications for sciatica include over-the-counter painkillers and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen. These medications temporarily decrease pain and swelling, but using them chronically leads to side effects such as increased risk of heart attack and stroke, gastric ulcers, and addiction.
  • Physical therapy – Physical therapy can help you regain movement in your lower body affected by sciatica. It may also help increase muscle strength in your core and back, thus reducing the risk of recurring episodes of sciatica. 
  • Chiropractic care – Spinal adjustments and massages may help reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve, thus easing pain and discomfort. While this method is non-invasive, there is little evidence of its effectiveness in relieving sciatica and sciatic-like pain. 
  • Warm and cold packs – During the first few days after an injury, ice packs may help relieve swelling and pain, which can help you regain mobility in your legs and buttocks. If sciatica continues for weeks or months, warm compresses may help stimulate blood flow and relax tense muscles, thus providing temporary relief.

Surgical Treatments

If you have been struggling with sciatica for months and other lines of treatments have not worked as well as you had hoped, your doctor may recommend surgery. It is important to be aware of the risks of surgical procedures before making this your treatment of choice: invasive procedures can increase the risk of infection and, while they may provide relief from sciatica, results may not be long-lived.

Here are two of the most common surgical treatments for sciatica:

  • Discectomy – Discectomy (or microdiscectomy) is a surgical procedure used to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve deriving from a herniated disc. During surgery, your doctor will remove parts of the intervertebral discs that are bulging out, to prevent further irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve. 
  • Laminectomy – Laminectomy is used to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve caused by spinal stenosis. In this procedure, part of the vertebral bone (lamina) is removed to create a larger canal for the spinal cord and nerve roots.

 

Preventive Measures

Although sciatica and pain in the buttocks can affect anyone, at any age, there are preventive strategies you can take advantage of to reduce the risk of this condition becoming a chronic problem.

These measures can also help you recover quickly from an episode of sciatica and boost the effectiveness of the line of treatment you’ve chosen. Let’s look at preventive strategies in detail below.

Avoid Prolonged Sitting

Sitting is a normal aspect of our daily life. Whether you work at a desk, spend hours gaming or watching TV, or enjoy a sedentary hobby, you may inadvertently be spending a large part of your day sitting.

However, it is important not to underestimate the impact that sitting too much can have on your musculoskeletal and spinal health. Firstly, your entire upper body will rest on your lower back while sitting. This can increase the pressure on your buttocks and cause sciatica-like pain.

The poor posture you may adopt while sitting can also further compress your spine’s vertebrae, which can speed up disc degeneration and increase the risk of herniated or bulging discs. Lastly, prolonged sitting can weaken your back and core muscles, making injuries more likely.

Fortunately, you don’t need to revolutionize your entire lifestyle to cut down on sitting! Instead, try to introduce progressive changes, such as:

  • Taking active breaks at work
  • Practicing yoga or tai chi while you are at a desk
  • Investing in a walking pad
  • Walking or cycling to work 
  • Spending time outdoors with your pets or kids
  • Joining active initiatives and hobbies, such as gardening, beach cleaning, and dog walking.

Stay Active And Stretch

To prevent sciatica, another piece of the puzzle is physical activity and stretching. Boosting your muscle conditioning, endurance, and flexibility can help you avoid injuries and disorders such as piriformis syndrome.

Regular exercise is also key to keeping at bay several of the risk factors for sciatica, nerve pain, and pain in the buttocks, such as obesity, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular diseases.

Strengthen Core Muscles

Your back and core muscles work together to enable spinal movements, maintain stability during movement, and prevent injuries that may arise from overextension or excessive rotation. When your back muscles are weak, your body will rely on other, weaker structures to support these functions, such as ligaments and tendons. This can increase the risk of injuries and misalignments that can lead to chronic pain.

Strengthening your core muscles is an efficient way to support spinal movements, protect the spine, maintain a neutral pelvic tilt, and reduce stress on structures such as the vertebrae or intervertebral discs.

Reduce Excessive Stress On Your Lower Back

Excessive stress on your lower back can derive from multiple sources, including:

  • Poor posture
  • Sitting too much
  • Repetitive movements
  • Being obese

To decompress your lower back and find long-lasting relief from pain, work on losing excess weight, adopt a better posture, and work with an occupational therapist to prevent your job or hobby from compromising your spinal health.

Neurofunctional Pain Management® For Sciatica And Buttock Pain

When it comes down to overcoming pain in your bottom and finding a sustainable line of treatment that can help you regain your mobility and health, it is crucial to look at the root cause of your condition: inflammation.

Systemic inflammation can speed up the degeneration of the intervertebral disc and increase the risk of components of the spine becoming inflamed and swollen. Fortunately, tackling systemic inflammation – and deriving chronic pain – without surgery or medication is possible.

The Neurofunctional Pain Management approach pioneered by Neuragenex addresses the root causes of- chronic pain and inflammation without resorting to taking drugs or fearing invasive procedures. This cutting-edge approach works by:

  • Creating a low-to-no pain state in which your body can begin healing
  • Reversing chronic hydration and nutritional deficiencies, and
  • Helping you make positive lifestyle changes to build long-lasting musculoskeletal health.

Let’s look at how this proprietary protocol works below.

Electroanalgesia

Electroanalgesia involves high-pulse electrical stimulation that targets the intricate connections between pain, the nervous system, and the brain. This non-invasive therapy can intercept pain signals at the nerve’s source, providing relief at a cellular level. By regulating the responses of the nervous system, electroanalgesia has the potential to relieve the painful symptoms of osteoporosis-related microfractures.

IV Therapy

At Neuragenex, our protocols utilize specialized intravenous therapy (IV therapy) to support your bone health. This is an efficient approach that delivers important vitamins and minerals directly to the circulatory system, boosting their bioavailability and maximizing their impact. IV therapy aims to alleviate pain by reducing inflammation with immune support and to promote bone health by optimizing the body’s bone remodeling process.

Lifestyle Counseling

At Neuragenex, we are aware that painful experiences extend to more than just physical symptoms; they also affect your mental health and feelings of well-being. Our team of experts fosters an approach to pain management that encompasses the whole person. To assist people with osteoporosis in making informed lifestyle decisions, we provide individualized lifestyle counseling. We offer advice that includes addressing the strategies that promote bone health and may decrease the progression of osteoporosis, as well as creating a positive attitude about living with this long-term condition.

Our specialized protocols utilize a combination of these innovative Neurofunctional Pain Management techniques to collaboratively address the pain associated with osteoporosis without relying on invasive treatments or prescription medications. We believe it’s essential to find a pain management strategy that best suits you and your lifestyle.

 

Efficiently Address Your Pain At The Earliest Opportunity

Sciatica and pain in the buttocks can lead to temporary disability and rob you of several days’ worth of productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, relying on medications while waiting for the symptoms to ease down or living in fear of having to undergo surgery are no longer the only options.

The non-invasive, non-chiropractic, and non-surgical approach pioneered by Neuragenex – Neurofunctional Pain Management – can help you take back control of your musculoskeletal health and magnify your quality of life.

Can Osteoporosis Be Reversed?

Posted on by Will Bozeman

About 10 million people across the United States are dealing with osteoporosis. This widespread condition causes a significant reduction in bone density, where weakened bones become prone to fractures.

Interestingly, it’s estimated another 44 million people have low levels of bone density, putting them at risk of developing osteoporosis, especially as they get older. Getting diagnosed with osteoporosis isn’t always straightforward. It’s actually quite common for people to have low bone density without even realizing it, until one day, they fracture a bone from something as simple as a sneeze! 

“Can osteoporosis be reversed?” is likely one of the most common and important questions asked of individuals living with, or at risk of, this silent condition. In this article, we will share with you the current understanding of osteoporosis reversal as well as the many important factors that can impact your bone health. 

We’ll also discuss the outlook for individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis and examine some of the available options to potentially slow down its progression during the early stages. 

Additionally, osteoporosis often goes beyond just the risk of breaking bones, it can also be a very painful and debilitating condition due to stiffness and inflammation. Finding effective treatment and relief for its painful symptoms often becomes a priority for sufferers. 

We’ll introduce how the specialized Neurofunctional Pain Management techniques offered by Neuragenex provide an innovative approach to finding relief from pain without resorting to heavy medications or invasive surgeries.

Let’s begin by taking a closer look at what different factors can influence your bone density and overall bone health.

Different Factors Affecting Bone Health

It’s important to first understand the many factors that contribute to impaired bone health before we delve into the possibility of reversing osteoporosis. These include: 

  • Dietary factors: The nutrients you consume, particularly calcium and vitamin D, play a significant role in maintaining bone health. Over time, a lack of these nutrients can cause bones to deteriorate, leading to osteoporosis.
  • Physical activity: Bone loss may be accelerated by a sedentary lifestyle. Completing weight-bearing exercises, such as walking or weightlifting regularly, can promote bone density by stimulating bone formation.
  • Hormonal changes: Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone have a protective effect on bone density. It is well-researched that the hormonal changes that occur during menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis, making women more susceptible.
  • Medications and health conditions: Prescription medications, such as glucocorticoids, and underlying health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gastrointestinal diseases can negatively impact bone health by disrupting the body’s bone remodeling process. Medications and health conditions can lead to secondary osteoporosis.

Our lifestyle choices have a great impact on our overall bone health, since they help our body’s bone remodeling process while also optimizing our health and boosting positive well-being. In the next section, we’ll define bone remodeling, explore its intricate process, and tackle the question of whether it’s possible to reverse osteoporosis.

Is Osteoporosis Reversal Possible?

Let’s now answer the pressing question of “Can osteoporosis be reversed?” Unfortunately, there is currently no known treatment that can completely reverse the effects of osteoporosis. However, the good news is that there are effective ways of managing its progression and overall impact to prevent any further reduction of bone density. We will discuss these in the forthcoming sections. 

Firstly, to understand why the idea of completely reversing osteoporosis is challenging, we need to grasp the concept of bone remodeling. Did you know that our bones are dynamic structures that continuously regenerate as they undergo the intricate processes of “resorption” and “renewal”? These two terms describe bone remodeling.

The delicate balance of resorption and renewal relies heavily on your body’s state of equilibrium so it can reabsorb old bone tissue (resorption) and replenish it with new tissue (renewal). Our bone density is higher when we are younger because renewal tends to be more efficient than resorption.

However, this balance shifts as we age due to many factors, including those mentioned above. Bone resorption begins to surpass bone renewal, resulting in reduced bone density. This is a natural part of the aging process, making it difficult to completely reverse osteoporosis. Let’s go on to explore what this means for those diagnosed.

What Is The Prognosis For Osteoporosis?

When an individual’s bone density drops to levels that indicate osteoporosis, it’s important to recognize that there cannot be a one-size-fits-all generalized prognosis. The future outlook will depend on numerous factors such as the age at diagnosis, the severity of the condition, the presence of underlying health problems, and the treatment options available. 

Early detection and intervention play a very important role in improving the prognosis for those living with osteoporosis. Let’s shift our focus to explore some of the common treatment methods your doctor may suggest to slow osteoporosis in its early stages.

Managing Osteoporosis: Slowing Progression And Alleviating Symptoms

We want you to pause and take a breath. Getting an osteoporosis diagnosis doesn’t have to be overwhelming. 

While complete reversal of osteoporosis may not be possible, numerous conventional treatments are available that aim to slow its progression, especially in the early stages. Working closely with healthcare providers and obtaining a personalized management plan that suits your individual needs is key to finding effective relief and a long-term strategy.

Let’s explore some of the common approaches, including medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Targeted Medications

Several prescription medications may help slow the progression of osteoporosis and reduce the risk of bone fractures. Some targeted medications include:

  • Bisphosphonates: These drugs help to increase bone density by inhibiting the process of bone resorption.
  • Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs): SERMs are not the same as HRT but can mimic the effects of estrogen on bone tissue, helping to maintain bone density.
  • Parathyroid hormone: Supplementing the parathyroid hormone aims to increase bone density by stimulating bone formation. 

It is very important that you are aware of all of the potential risks of taking any medication. Be sure to ask your doctor about the risks vs. benefits of these medications so you can make informed decisions regarding your healthcare management.

NSAIDs And Opioids 

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or more potent drugs such as opioids may be prescribed to manage the painful symptoms associated with osteoporosis. It is paramount that medications are carefully monitored to ensure optimal effectiveness and minimize potential side effects.

Physical Therapy

With an emphasis on improving strength, balance, and posture, physical therapy can be beneficial for individuals with osteoporosis. When we optimize the muscles and tendons that support our bones, the risk of falls and fractures can be reduced. Additionally, some physical therapy exercises may improve bone density by promoting renewal.

Braces And Supports

In certain cases, braces and supports may be recommended to provide stability and prevent falls. Additionally, a greater level of support might lessen the strain on the bones and joints, ultimately alleviating some of the pain associated with osteoporosis.

Warm Compress

Osteoporosis-related muscle and joint discomfort can be reduced by applying a warm compress to painful areas. 

While conventional treatments may offer temporary relief from the pain associated with osteoporosis, they might not provide the lasting results you’re looking for. Additionally, it is becoming more common for individuals to explore alternative treatments before making any serious health decisions or agreeing to take medications for long periods of time. 

In the next section, we’ll introduce Neurofunctional Pain Management as an effective approach to relieving the pain and inflammation associated with this chronic condition.

How We Can Help Manage Osteoporosis Pain

We have discussed how osteoporosis weakens bone integrity, but what truly makes osteoporosis a painful condition to endure is the development of microfractures, especially within large weight-bearing joints such as the spine, hips, and knees. 

By targeting the nervous system’s response to pain, Neuragenex aims to relieve the painful symptoms of osteoporosis through specialized Neurofunctional Pain Management protocols. These include:

Electroanalgesia

Electroanalgesia involves high-pulse electrical stimulation that targets the intricate connections between pain, the nervous system, and the brain. This non-invasive therapy can intercept pain signals at the nerve’s source, providing relief at a cellular level. By regulating the responses of the nervous system, electroanalgesia has the potential to relieve the painful symptoms of osteoporosis-related microfractures.

IV Therapy

At Neuragenex, our protocols utilize specialized intravenous therapy (IV therapy) to support your bone health. This is an efficient approach that delivers important vitamins and minerals directly to the circulatory system, boosting their bioavailability and maximizing their impact. IV therapy aims to alleviate pain by reducing inflammation with immune support and to promote bone health by optimizing the body’s bone remodeling process.

Lifestyle Counseling

At Neuragenex, we are aware that painful experiences extend to more than just physical symptoms; they also affect your mental health and feelings of well-being. Our team of experts fosters an approach to pain management that encompasses the whole person. To assist people with osteoporosis in making informed lifestyle decisions, we provide individualized lifestyle counseling. We offer advice that includes addressing the strategies that promote bone health and may decrease the progression of osteoporosis, as well as creating a positive attitude about living with this long-term condition. 

Our specialized protocols utilize a combination of these innovative Neurofunctional Pain Management techniques to collaboratively address the pain associated with osteoporosis without relying on invasive treatments or prescription medications. We believe it’s essential to find a pain management strategy that best suits you and your lifestyle.

Achieve Pain Management Without Invasive Procedures

Receiving a diagnosis of a chronic health condition such as osteoporosis can be overwhelming, but please don’t lose hope. This condition may be irreversible, but with the insights of this article, you are now armed with the awareness and knowledge to actively manage pain caused by this condition and reduce its impact on your life. 

Taking early action and working with healthcare professionals to find the right treatment plan for you is crucial for slowing down osteoporosis and reducing its painful symptoms. While medication can help, there are alternative treatments available that are specially designed to ease pain and inflammation without relying heavily on medications.

Consider exploring the lasting solutions through Neurofunctional Pain Management. At Neuragenex, we’re here to support you every step of the way and maintain a special focus on reducing your pain to magnify your quality of life. With our comprehensive protocols and tailored approach, you can regain control over your painful symptoms and move towards a future where osteoporosis has less of an impact on your life.

Heel Spur Vs. Plantar Fasciitis: How Are They Different?

Posted on by Will Bozeman

Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are two common culprits behind agonizing heel pain. If you’ve ever experienced heel pain, you know how it can seriously disrupt your daily life, making even simple activities like walking a challenge. 

People frequently mix these two conditions, but it’s important to note that they do have some distinct differences. Understanding these differences enables you to promptly receive accurate treatment with the most effective pain management options.

In this article, we will explore the topic of heel spurs vs. plantar fasciitis, looking into their similarities and differences, as well as their common causes. We will also discuss Neurofunctional Pain Management as a non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical, and non-invasive solution for pain relief, focusing on the techniques used at Neuragenex.

Before we look at the specific differences between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, let’s briefly look at the heel’s anatomy so we can better understand the structures that are affected by these conditions. 

The heel bone plays a vital role in stabilization as it is the foot’s most prominent bone, whereas the plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel bone to the toes. 

Having a solid understanding of this foot anatomy will help you understand the concepts we explore in the following sections about how the two disorders of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis impact this area.

 

Understanding Heel Spurs And Plantar Fasciitis

Now, we can look closer at the specific characteristics of heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. The sections below explore how these conditions can uniquely impact your foot health, often leading to the pain and discomfort you may be experiencing.

 

What Are Heel Spurs?

Heel spurs are bony protrusions that grow on the underside of the heel bone. When there is ongoing inflammation and tension throughout the foot’s soft tissue, including the plantar fascia, it leads to heel spurs developing. 

The bony growths can vary in shape and size and do not always cause pain. 38% of the population is estimated to have heel spurs, with many not even realizing it. However, when heel spurs become painful, it’s usually due to the irritation and inflammation of surrounding tissues.

 

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

On the other hand, plantar fasciitis is a condition causing significant inflammation throughout the thick plantar fascia tissue. This painful condition can cause individuals to experience stabbing or aching sensations at the base of the heel or along the bottom of the foot. 

Plantar fasciitis occurs due to repetitive activities that subject the plantar fascia to excessive strain, leading to micro-tears and localized inflammation. These activities include repetitive running, dancing, and everyday movements like prolonged walking.

Understanding the unique nuances of these conditions can become a helpful guide for an accurate diagnosis and uncovering effective management strategies. Let’s explore why these two conditions often get mixed together. 

 

What Makes These Two Conditions Similar?

While we’ve established that heel spurs and plantar fasciitis are two different conditions, they share some common features. To become more familiar with them, let’s look closely at the underlying causes and symptoms.

 

Causes

Both conditions often develop due to:

  • Overuse: Repetitive stress or strain on the feet, such as seen in athletes or those with physically demanding jobs
  • Improper footwear: Wearing shoes that lack proper arch support or cushioning or wearing shoes that put your feet at awkward angles, such as high heels or rock climbing shoes
  • Age: Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis become more common as we age
  • Obesity: Excess weight can increase the level of strain throughout the heel and plantar fascia

 

Symptoms

The symptoms for both conditions can include:

  • Heel pain: Pain is typically felt near the bottom of the heel and is frequently worse in the morning
  • Stiffness: Difficulty flexing or moving the foot, especially while waking or after long periods of rest and inactivity
  • Tenderness: It is common for an increase in sensitivity when the bottom of the foot is touched or comes into contact with the ground, shoes, or other objects
  • Reduced mobility: Walking or standing for long periods becomes a challenge, potentially impacting simple daily tasks

After exploring these similarities, you might be wondering how you can distinguish between the two conditions. Don’t worry just yet; the next section will clarify the best ways plantar fasciitis and heel spurs can be differentiated.

 

How To Tell The Difference Between Heel Spurs And Plantar Fasciitis

While their causes and symptoms can be similar, there are a few key differences to help you distinguish between heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. 

Firstly, plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain, with an estimated 2 million people affected annually. This challenging condition can quickly become very painful, with pronounced heel discomfort, especially in the morning or after sitting still. 

Neuragenex uses Neurofunctional Pain Management (NFPM) techniques to provide an alternate approach to managing the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Learn more about how we can help you here. 

Heel spurs, on the other hand, are more likely to go unnoticed. In fact, less than 5% of people with heel spurs experience heel pain. Typically, they become an incidental finding during an X-ray or foot scan for an unrelated condition. While heel spurs are common among those with plantar fasciitis, they are rarely the source of pain. The good news is that you can often treat the pain without removing bony growths.

On the rare occasion that a heel spur is to blame for your heel discomfort, you may notice a distinct lump under the skin, and the jarring sensation tends to be confined to the heel area. 

For an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a clinical examination. Aside from examining the affected area, imaging may be recommended. An X-ray can confirm the presence of heel spurs, while an ultrasound may be used to reveal the inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis. 

The following section will discuss practical ways to maintain your foot health and avoid unpleasant problems like plantar fasciitis. 

 

Strategies To Keep Your Feet Pain-Free

It’s beneficial to focus on preventing heel pain and maintaining overall good foot health. Implementing the following strategies might help keep your feet pain-free:

  • Wear proper footwear: It is best to avoid wearing old, worn-out shoes. Invest in a pair of shoes that provide adequate arch support and cushioning.
  • Stretch and exercise regularly: Try to include daily foot and calf stretches for flexibility and strength to maintain the health of your feet. 
  • Maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle: By achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, your feet will be exposed to less strain daily.
  • Pay attention to discomfort: If you experience foot pain or discomfort, such as an ache or pinch, address it promptly. Begin by resting, then try ice and gentle stretching to help alleviate minor discomfort.
  • Consult a specialist: If your heel pain becomes an ongoing problem or worsens, seek professional help from your doctor, a podiatrist, or a foot specialist.

 

Non-Drug, Non-Surgical, And Non-Invasive Solutions For Relieving Foot Pain 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing heel pain, it’s understandable that finding relief is a top priority. While simple preventive measures are excellent, it can be challenging to find relief once foot pain and discomfort have set in. 

At Neuragenex, we specialize in Neurofunctional Pain Management, which offers a revolutionary approach to pain relief without resorting to pharmaceuticals or surgery. Our innovative strategies effectively address the pain and inflammation causing your foot discomfort.

The advanced protocols at Neuragenex focus on a whole-person method that utilizes a powerful combination of electroanalgesia and IV hydration therapy. Both are specifically designed to reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing.

Electroanalgesia is a unique therapy that directs high-frequency electronic waves to the affected area, reducing your body’s pain signals at a cellular level. This non-invasive method may also improve muscle function by increasing blood flow and decreasing inflammation. 

Additionally, most people experience an enhanced sense of relaxation and well-being as the body’s natural endorphins elevate.

IV therapy directly administers critical nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to the body; these components assist anti-inflammatory processes, optimizing the body’s healing environment for tissue repair. At Neuragenex, we customize each of our IV therapy programs based on individual needs to ensure patients receive the right nourishment for their healing journey.

Our professionals recognize that managing prolonged pain-related discomfort entails more than treating physical symptoms. This is why we provide lifestyle counseling that includes tailored guidance for improving your general physical health and well-being, including strategies for enhancing your foot health. 

 

Ease Pain Caused By Heel Spurs And Plantar Fasciitis

Simple daily tasks can become complicated when foot or heel pain is a persistent issue. Constant discomfort can take a toll on your physical and mental health and well-being. 

Plantar fasciitis and heel bone spurs, two separate conditions, often share similar causes and symptoms. Most importantly, they both contribute to dreaded foot and heel pain. While plantar fasciitis is more prevalent, it is essential to receive an accurate diagnosis to initiate the proper treatment and help you find relief from the painful symptoms. Neuragenex is a leader in the field of Neurofunctional Pain Management, offering non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical, and non-invasive solutions for easing the pain associated with common conditions impacting the feet.

With the insights gained from this article, you are now equipped with the fundamental knowledge, beneficial prevention strategies, and an understanding of advanced treatments that can help you find relief from unbearable foot pain.

Seven Helpful Tips On How To Sleep With Sciatic Nerve Pain

Posted on by Will Bozeman

The relentless sensations of sciatic pain can cause even the simplest of tasks to become monumental challenges. Perhaps one of the most unpleasant aspects of having sciatica is the difficulty in getting a decent night’s sleep because of the persistent nerve pain. 

Consistently poor sleep over time may profoundly impact both your daily life and general well-being. It can have negative effects on many areas of your health, including your energy levels, immune function, mood regulation, and most importantly, your happiness. 

Improving the quality of your sleep despite the ongoing nerve pain of sciatica can seem daunting. But don’t worry, we’re here to shed some light on this common symptom and share with you some practical advice that may help ease your pain. 

With this article, we hope to provide valuable insights as to why sciatica can make sleeping such a challenge. We will then provide seven practical tips for getting better sleep while dealing with sciatic pain. 

Additionally, we will share some effective home remedies for treating sciatic pain and the complex role of medications within a pain management approach. We’ll explore why it is important to find a safe and effective long-term strategy to manage the pain associated with sciatica so you can get the restful sleep you deserve. 

Let’s begin by taking a look at how sciatica can make sleeping so difficult. 

Why Does Sciatica Make Sleeping Difficult?

There are many varying factors that contribute to sleeping difficulties for people dealing with sciatic pain. These factors can range from the underlying cause and severity of sciatic pain through to your regular sleeping habits. Let’s explore a number of these factors further:

The Location Of Sciatic Pain

Sciatic pain originates from the lower back, where it then extends down through either side of the buttock and into the leg. This is often described as a sharp shooting pain or even a tingling, burning sensation. The pain is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, either from the spinal disc compressing the nerve or irritation from an underlying medical condition. Pain is commonly exacerbated when you lie down because the pressure on your lower back increases, making it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. 

The Causes Of Sciatic Pain

Some of the many underlying causes of sciatic pain include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, arthritis, and even muscle spasms. It is normal for painful medical conditions such as these to worsen during the night. You see, as we begin to relax, our circulation slows, which can reduce the body’s level of anti-inflammatory hormones like cortisol and raise inflammation. This can contribute to increased levels of pain and discomfort, ultimately interrupting sleep.

The Importance Of Spinal Alignment

Having good spinal alignment while sleeping is important as it reduces muscle strain and imbalances. Sciatica can lead to a disruption of the spine’s alignment as muscle tension leads to additional nerve irritation and discomfort. Maintaining the right posture while sleeping is essential to alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve and ease painful nerve signals.

The Role Of Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene describes the healthy habits and practices we can do before bedtime that promote healthy sleep. Unfortunately, sciatica sufferers can often struggle with maintaining healthy sleep hygiene due to increased levels of pain, discomfort, and perhaps a level of anxiety about sleep itself. However, addressing sleep hygiene and establishing a nighttime routine that’s effective for you could lead to better sleep quality as well as longer-lasting sleep.

These various factors can all contribute to poor sleep quality and fewer hours of sleep for individuals dealing with sciatica because they cause issues such as waking frequently, difficulty in finding a comfortable sleeping position, and persistent pain. Let’s now explore seven practical methods that could help enhance your sleep quality and guide you on how to sleep with sciatic nerve pain.

Seven Ways Of Getting A Better Sleep With Sciatic Pain

Now that we know why sleeping with sciatica is oftentimes challenging, let’s look at seven useful strategies that could help you reduce pain and discomfort enough so you can get a better night’s rest.

1. Start With A Supportive Mattress

Let’s start with the foundations. Investing in a mattress that provides adequate support for the natural curvature of your spine will assist in reducing the pressure on your sciatic nerve, which may make a big difference. Typically, a mattress that feels medium to firm is best; ultra-soft mattresses typically do not provide enough support for proper spine alignment. 

2. Add Pillows For Support

Placing pillows in strategically beneficial positions can also promote proper spinal alignment and ease discomfort. Try placing a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side to reduce pressure on the lower back and hips.

3. Avoid Sleeping On Your Stomach

Unfortunately for stomach sleepers, this position is associated with various muscle pains and discomfort in the neck and back, including lower back strain and sciatic nerve irritation. Sleeping on your back or side is generally more gentle on your muscles and can reduce strain, which can be especially beneficial for those with sciatica.

If changing your sleeping habits entirely is too much of a challenge, you can try placing a small towel or pillow under your lower abdomen and hips. This can help prevent the sagging of your lower back out of its neutral position for a more comfortable sleep.

4. Elevate Your Knees In Bed

Elevating your knees while you sleep may also reduce the pressure throughout your lower back and sciatic nerve. You can purchase specialized pillows or experiment with pillows of different sizes and positions to see what helps you find the best relief and comfort. 

5. Stretch Before Getting Into Bed

Gentle stretching exercises of the lower back and upper legs can relax tense muscles, improve your flexibility, and increase blood flow. Incorporating some short, simple movements before bedtime may help to loosen the area and ease sciatica-related muscle tension and discomfort.

6. Take A Warm Bath

A relaxing, warm bath before bed is a great way to ease tight muscles, improve circulation, and reduce nighttime sciatic pain. It also serves as a wonderful mindfulness exercise to help calm the mind, making it one of the great tools for developing positive sleep hygiene practices.

7. Incorporate A Nighttime Routine

Having a consistent nighttime routine helps your body recognize that it is time to relax and wind down. Perhaps some of the above strategies, such as light stretching or taking a warm bath, would be a good place to start. Whatever you choose to incorporate into your routine, by regularly preparing your body for sleep, you can promote great improvements to your sleep quality, even if you have challenging sciatic pain. 

Integrating some of these practical tips can make significant changes to how your sciatic pain affects your sleep, perhaps helping you finally find some quality rest and relief. Additionally, there are a number of easy remedies and techniques you can implement at home, which we will discuss in the next section.

Nighttime Home Remedy Treatments

Home remedies can be a simple way to get some additional relief from sciatic pain. Before going to bed, try some of these simple remedies to help you ease your discomfort and find quality sleep. 

Targeted Pain Relief Patches

There are a number of different over-the-counter pain relief patches, such as those containing capsaicin or lidocaine. These patches can be applied directly to the lower back, where they aim to provide localized relief of sciatic pain.

Heat Or Ice Therapy

Heat and ice therapy are timeless home remedies that remain a great way to ease swelling and discomfort. For sciatic pain, experiment with both hot and cold packs applied to the lower back to see which works best for you. Heat therapy aims to improve blood flow and relax tight muscles, whereas a cold pack will help numb the area, potentially reducing nerve-related pain. 

Massage Accessories

  • Tennis ball
  • Spinal roller
  • Massage gun

Massage is another well-known therapy for reducing the pain brought on by tight muscles, as it helps promote relaxation. Unfortunately, visiting a massage therapist isn’t always convenient. However, the good news for us is that there is a growing variety of massage accessories available on the market.

For sciatic pain, consider using a massage accessory to gently relieve tension throughout the lower back, near the sciatic nerve. This can also be done before bedtime to help ease pain and improve your chances of a better night’s sleep. Some of the more common accessories we recommended could include a simple tennis ball, a spinal roller, and a massage gun. 

While home remedies can be beneficial in relieving sciatic pain for many individuals, it’s common for some people to turn to pain-relieving medications. In the following section, we’ll discuss why medication may not always be the most suitable option for those seeking long-term relief from sciatic pain that is causing sleep disturbances.

Is Taking A Pain Reliever Recommended?

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can provide some temporary relief from sciatic pain. However, solely relying on pharmacological options may lead to detrimental long-term effects on your health. 

One of the most common types of medications taken for sciatic nerve pain is non-steroidal-anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), as they help to ease pain and reduce inflammation. However, NSAIDs have the potential to cause gastric upset, such as nausea and stomach pain. And when taken over long periods of time or in high doses, they can be seen to be associated with a number of health issues, such as peptic ulcers and renal dysfunction, particularly in older adults.

Additionally, some doctors may prescribe stronger pain relievers, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone. These medications are powerful analgesics that can help reduce pain and discomfort; however, they often leave individuals feeling drowsy or may interrupt a normal sleeping cycle. Taking opioid medications long-term or in high doses may also lead to dependency and potentially mask an underlying issue that is worsening. 

It’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive approach to pain management and to learn of all the options available to ensure you can make informed decisions about your pain management strategy. Let’s shift our focus and discuss some alternative approaches to sciatic pain that don’t involve medication. 

Finding Safe And Effective Long-Term Relief From Sciatica

Individuals suffering from chronic sciatic pain, including those with underlying medical conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, should consider exploring non-pharmaceutical and non-invasive treatment options such as Neurofunctional Pain Management (NFPM). This is an innovative approach that addresses the pain and inflammation associated with sciatica without the use of strong medications or surgery.

At Neuragenex, we specialize in NFPM techniques that feature a uniquely designed protocol to provide a comprehensive, whole-person approach to pain management. Our approach aims to not only help you find relief from sciatic pain and improve your sleep but also enhance your general health and well-being. Read about how NFPM is one of the most innovative medical developments in pain management. 

Neurofunctional Pain Management

At Neuragenex, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive care that can help you find relief from sciatic nerve pain with the help of our state-of-the-art innovative therapies. 

We utilize a unique Neurofunctional Pain Management approach, offering non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical alternatives for effective and long-lasting relief from painful symptoms. 

Our Neuragenex protocol involves a powerful combination of electroanalgesia and IV hydration therapy. Both are specifically designed to reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing.

Electroanalgesia is a well-researched and innovative therapy that involves directing high-frequency electronic waves to the affected area. This is a painless procedure that not only reduces nerve pain at a cellular level but can also improve muscle function.

Additionally, electroanalgesia signals the release of naturally occurring endorphins, fostering long-lasting effects, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and enhancing your overall well-being.

Specially tailored IV hydration therapy sessions are also incorporated throughout our Neuragenex protocol. This is a very effective way to directly administer nutrients, vitamins, and minerals into the body through the bloodstream. This aids in reducing inflammation and optimizing the body’s environment for healing and tissue repair.

At Neuragenex, we strongly believe in encompassing a comprehensive whole-person approach to health care, which is why we also provide lifestyle counseling. We understand that managing sciatic nerve pain and its associated sleep disturbances involves more than just addressing physical pain.

We provide specialized guidance on improving your overall physical health and well-being, including strategies for enhancing your sleep hygiene to magnify your quality of life.

Sleep Better With Less Sciatic Pain

Sciatic pain can significantly impact your quality of life, where finding restful sleep becomes a nightly challenge. The good news is that implementing some of our top seven tips and exploring specific at-home remedies close to bedtime can help improve your comfort and lead you toward better sleep hygiene for a more restful night’s sleep. 

For those who are struggling with relentless sciatic pain, medications such as NSAIDs can be beneficial for a short-term fix. However, it is important to be aware of the potentially negative health effects of long-term use. 

To find relief from relentless sciatic pain, explore the comprehensive pain management solutions at Neuragenex. NFPM is an innovative treatment method that specifically targets the pain and inflammation associated with sciatica, aiming to reduce discomfort and improve sleep quality, ultimately enhancing your overall quality of life. 

Contact us today to learn more about Neurofunctional Pain Management and how we can assist you in your journey to a pain-free sleep.