SCIATICA: The REAL CONSEQUENCES No One Talks About| Doc Cherry

At times, back pain and numbness in the lower leg and foot can lead to paralysis. That's why in this video, I will share with you what will happen if you keep neglecting sciatica symptoms. The symptoms you need to be aware of and what you can do right now from the comfort of your own home, Even if you're on a tight budget, to help you relieve symptoms and prevent back surgery. Stay with me until the end of this video because this video is very important. It involves your ability to function and your mobility. Hi, this is Dr. Sherry again, Doctor of Physical Therapy. I'm glad to have you here. Before we start, please comment in the comment section below, check or not yet If you have already had your X-ray or MRI of the lumbar spine. Sciatica occurs when your sciatic nerve is compressed, usually due to osteoarthritis in the spine. or due to a problem with the disc. This means this is not ordinary back pain. Your nervous system is also affected because your nerves are part of your peripheral nervous system. Did you know that sciatica is actually quite common? In fact, it actually affects 10 to 40 percent of the general population. However, due to inflation and any other concerns lately, Some people simply take for granted the symptoms they are experiencing. Now, here is the original and the most important question. What actually happens if you continue ignoring sciatica symptoms? There are symptoms that are very important for you to know. You should never take these symptoms lightly, because when taken lightly, These can lead to wheelchair use and paralysis. Symptoms such as sudden loss of strength in your lower leg and your foot, You have difficulty standing, difficulty walking, loss of balance, and you always fall. and loss of sensation and loss of control over your ability to urinate and defecate. These are emergency symptoms, red flag signs of sciatica that require immediate attention. Because if not, these typically cause paralysis. Look at this comment here. This is written in Tagalog but it says that it is true. Those are the symptoms I experienced before I became bedridden. Now, let's look at the back end of sciatica. What actually occurs in your body with sciatica? In the X-ray, you can see the changes in the spine. Generally, if you're over 40 years old, the cause of sciatica is usually due to osteoarthritis in the spine. or what we refer to as lumbar spondylosis. Initially, what we can see on the X-ray is the gradual thinning of the cartilage between your two vertebrae. or in long-standing osteoarthritis if you don't take action about it. What you will notice in the x-ray is the presence of bone spur formation. These are small bony outgrowths that can compress the sciatic nerve. However, the nerve and the changes in the disc cannot be viewed or seen on an X-ray. That's why some patients absolutely need to undergo an MRI. If the cause of sciatica is due to disc herniation, we have different stages for that. During the first early stages of disc herniation, stage 1 and stage 2, We are able to manage your symptoms conservatively without the need for surgery. Generally, with disc herniation, it tends to get worse over time unless you take action about it. And in the late stage of disc herniation, known as sequestration, the only available option is back surgery. X-rays and MRIs are important because the results will correlate with your recovery time. and the specific treatment plan that is suitable for you. Now, here is the good news. Because in 80-90% of patients diagnosed with sciatica, in the early stage of disc herniation and osteoarthritis in the spine, We are able to manage your symptoms conservatively without the need for surgery. And we can prevent your condition from getting worse. But if you assume the symptoms, generally, the condition deteriorates over time. If you won't act on it, if you wait, the muscle is already weak. There is muscle atrophy, there is loss of balance, and the recovery time is longer. And it would cost you more. If you find value in this video, please don't forget to click the like button below so that the YouTube algorithm will display this video to more people, and we will also be able to help them. Now, here is what you are going to do. Even if you're on a tight budget, there's something you can do to help prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Educate yourself. We have many videos on the channel that can help you learn the positions you need to avoid. That way, we prevent back surgery. Track and observe. Observe which activities can trigger your pain and which can trigger your symptoms. And simply avoid it for the moment to allow healing. Know about the various home strategies and home techniques you can perform at home to help manage your symptoms conservatively. We have a video here. Check it out. It will greatly help you. It would also be important for you to know about the foods that you need to avoid. to help alleviate worsening nerve pain as well as the foods that can aid in promoting nerve repair. I will place the links in the video below. That way, it can help you even if you're on a tight budget and even if you're at home. Moreover, if you already have a budget, a simple X-ray can already do you good. In this way, you will receive more specific treatment tailored to your situation. Ignoring sciatica symptoms can actually impact your ability to work, your mobility, and your capacity to enjoy the activities you love. I hope this video has been able to help and guide you. If you've reached the end of this video, please comment your age and where you're from, because I'd really love to know. Thank you very much for being here. I'll see you in our next video. I will include all the links in the videos below, so it can help you. God bless you.