坐骨神经疼千万不可牵引Treatment吗
Disease description:
I have recently been experiencing severe sciatica pain, with pain and numbness extending from my buttocks down to my legs. I heard someone say that one must never undergo traction therapy for sciatica pain—is this true? I'm really confused and don't know what I should do. Can traction therapy be used at all for treating sciatica pain?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Sciatica is a common symptom characterized by lower back and leg pain, usually caused by lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and other conditions. Whether traction therapy is used depends on the individual patient's condition.
1. Some patients may benefit from traction therapy: Traction therapy alleviates pressure on the spine and reduces compression of the sciatic nerve by utilizing gravity and mechanical forces. It is primarily indicated for patients with nerve root compression caused by disc herniation or those experiencing acute sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation. Under the guidance of professionals, weight-shifting and inclined positioning maneuvers can help relieve pressure on the affected nerve roots.
2. Some patients are not suitable candidates for traction therapy: Not all patients are appropriate for traction therapy. Patients with severe spinal stenosis, spinal instability, or severe osteoporosis, as well as those in the chronic stage or with a long disease duration, may not benefit from traction therapy, which could potentially worsen their condition or lead to new complications.
Therefore, treatment for sciatica should be individualized, incorporating clinical examination, imaging evaluation, and the patient's overall physical condition. When necessary, a combination of medications, physical therapy, surgery, and other treatment modalities may be considered.
