Back pain is most commonly experienced by many people worldwide. One of the most widespread health issues globally is lower back pain. Low back pain may leave you in a difficult position of understanding its cause and how to relieve it.
Sciatica and facet joint syndrome are two widespread causes of lower back problems. Although they both may lead to excruciating pain, they attack various regions of your spine and require different treatments. At Total Pain Specialist Clinic, we assist patients to learn about their disease and offer the least invasive procedures to minimise chronic pain and enhance the quality of life.
Pain Location and Pattern
The Sciatica pains begin in the lower back and extend to the lower limb. The discomfort is caused by the course of your sciatic nerve that proceeds along your spine, along your hip and your leg. You may have some pain in the buttocks, thigh, calf or even the feet.
Facet joint syndrome causes the pain to remain in the lower back area. The pain will either extend to your buttocks or upper thigh, and rarely to lower than your knee. This becomes possible since the facet joints are the small joints between different vertebrae that enable the movement and bending of your spine. At Total Pain Specialist Clinic, we have the best specialists who can use the best imaging to help identify the exact source of your pain.
Type of Pain You Feel
Sharp and electric shock-like pains are very common with sciatica. You may also experience burning or intense pain, which is painful and exacerbated by coughing, sneezing or excessive sitting. Others also complain of numbness or tingling in their legs or feet.
Facet joint syndrome is associated with pain that is deep and aching in the back. The pain can be cause stiffness and soreness, particularly at the beginning of the day or following a prolonged period of sitting. You may find that your spine cannot bend or twist. At our pain relief clinic, we examine these different pain patterns to determine the most effective treatment approach for each patient.
What Triggers the Pain
There is a tendency for sciatica pain after sitting, bending forward, or coughing. The pain can be aggravated by long car journeys or sitting at the desk. The pain can also become worse as a result of some movements or when attempting to rise after sitting.
The pain of the facet joint syndrome is typically aggravated by either arching or turning to one side. Spending time standing or walking on a downhill slope would probably exacerbate the pain. The pain can be relieved when patients sit down or bend forward slightly, which is done by many patients. It is when we know about these triggers that we would be able to develop individualised treatment that would accommodate your pattern of pain.
What Causes Each Condition
Sciatica occurs when something is pressing on your sciatic nerve. The most common cause is a herniated disc, although the causes of the pain can be bone spurs or tight muscles. In some cases, heavy lifting or sudden movements may lead to sciatica, particularly when you already have a problem with the spine.
Facet joint syndrome is a result of the action of wear and tear on the small joints in your spine. These joints may be swollen and sore as we grow older. Some of the risk factors are the increase in age, osteoporosis or excessive physical activity without appropriate form. Facet joint problems can also be caused by previous injuries to your spinal area. At Total Pain Specialist Clinic, we identify the root cause to provide the most effective treatment.
How Specialists Diagnose Each Condition
Diagnosing sciatica usually starts with a physical exam and discussion of your symptoms. Your specialist might order an MRI to see if you have a herniated disc or other problems pressing on your nerve. Sometimes an X-ray is needed to check for bone problems.
Facet joint syndrome can be harder to diagnose because the joints are small. Your specialist will check your mobility and the location of pain. The changes in the facet joints may be detected in an MRI or CT scan. They occasionally inject something into the facet joints to see whether they are hurting you. Our specialists have modern tools for diagnosing to determine with high accuracy the cause of your pain, whether it is in the muscles, joints or nerves in the back.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment of sciatica usually aims at decongesting the nerve. This may involve physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs or an epidural injection. In extreme cases, there would be a possibility of surgery to take out whatever was pressing on the nerve.
There are various ways of treating facet joint syndrome. Physical therapy is also able to build strength in your back muscles and increase flexibility. Direct pain relief to the affected joint can be achieved by using facet joint injections. Other less invasive alternatives, like radiofrequency ablation, have the potential to offer prolonged relief. We have specialised in these sophisticated, less invasive procedures at Total Pain Specialist Clinic, which are trigger point injections, neuromodulation, and RFA.
Final Thoughts
It is critical to know whether you have sciatica or facet joint syndrome to receive the appropriate treatment. The two conditions may cause a lot of pain, but they influence different parts of your spine and react to different treatments.
At Total Pain Specialist Clinic, we do comprehensive care with minimally invasive procedures that allow patients to resume normal functioning with reduced pain and improved functioning. Call us now to book an appointment and learn more about our services for dealing with your back pain.
Total Pain Specialist