A shooting pain or numbness down the back of your leg may be the result of Piriformis Syndrome, where the piriformis muscle is pressing on the sciatic nerve. This is sometimes known as "wallet pain" since the pressure can be caused by sitting on your wallet, although more serious conditions like misaligned discs can also be the root cause. If physical therapy and stretching can't help, there are a few more invasive strategies that may be the solution to sciatic pain.
Surgery
Surgery is an invasive option for relieving sciatica pain. Surgery could involve targeting the piriformis muscle that usually rests on top of the sciatic nerve. The surgeon makes an incision deep into the affected leg's buttock and close to the lower back, and cuts the piriformis muscle tendon, which attaches to the bump on your hip. If needed, the piriformis muscle may be cut to remove the sciatic nerve; or the muscle could have a piece cut to relieve pressure. Surgeries such as these could have an effect on leg strength since there is one less muscle assisting in movement.
Acupuncture
Sometimes alternative treatment methods not performed by traditional spine specialists are the better way for sciatic pain relief. Acupuncture, which is actually an FDA-approved treatment for back pain, involves using sterile needles to open up healing paths within the affected muscles and nerves. Acupuncture for sciatica would involve sterilized needles placed along the nerve's path, to include the sciatic-nerve starting point deep in the buttocks. There are also places along the ear that can relieve sciatic pain. The needles would be left in place for at least a half-hour.
Botox
Botox shots, normally associated with cosmetic adjustments, have also been regularly used to relieve sciatic pain. Botox, which is the brand name for a botulinum shot, is injected into the piriformis muscle. The injection, which is made of neurotoxic proteins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacterium, paralyzes the muscle tissue, immediately relieving any pain related to its movement. This allows for better physical therapy since the muscle can be more easily manipulated. Regular injections can make sciatic pain subside within six months.
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