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What is SCI and how Zanaflex can help?

What is SCI and how Zanaflex can help?

If you have ever experienced a spinal cord injury, you will know that it can cause serious damage to the nerves and muscles. Today, we’ll explain what is SCI and how Tizanidine (Zanaflex) can help provide some relief. A spinal cord injury (SCI) can be classified as a complete loss of sensation and movement in a specific area of the body. Partial injuries can also occur and leave function in corresponding limbs. If the protective part of the spine is damaged through fractures, dislocation, compression or hyperextension, an SCI will occur to varying degrees. Certain diseases, the formation of tumors around the spinal cord, or other traumatic mishaps can cause spinal cord injuries and loss of bodily functions. Treatment and rehabilitation for these injuries can lead to other issues such as sciatica or muscle spasticity which would require pain management.

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These debilitating conditions need a fast-acting treatment to ease the chronic pain associated with spinal cord injuries. Also known as Tizanidine, Zanaflex can help with SCI by temporarily relaxing muscles and block nerve impulses to reduce pain. As a result, pain sensations are prevented from reaching the brain while muscle spasms calm down. Zanaflex can help with SCI, but it is not a cure to these medical issues. Physical therapy and additional treatment are still required to improve your overall mobility condition.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerves located in the lower spine are compressed to the point of damage. As a result, any irritation to the sciatic nerves will produce mild to severe levels of pain. Those with sciatica suffer from consistent pain because the sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body. It stretches across the lower back, moves down the legs, and ends just below the knee. Pain management medication is necessary to be able to sustain regular movement.

Pain tends to radiate down through the hips, buttocks, and legs, making simple tasks like walking a painful ordeal. The shooting pain makes even sitting or standing very hard to do without treatment. Zanaflex can help with SCI which can develop over time as numbness or tingling, but also sudden involuntary movements, like sneezing, coughing or muscle spasms can trigger pain. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lower back pinching the nearby sciatic nerves. Luckily, Zanaflex can help with SCI without the need for surgery unless the pain is very severe and causes bladder issues.

What Is the Best Sciatica Treatment?

There are many prescription and over-the-counter pain management medication options available. Some medications are more effective at treating sciatic pain. For mild pain associated with sciatica, you can take a common anti-inflammatory drug like Advil or Aleve. For more moderate to severe sciatica, your doctor may prescribe you a muscle relaxant, such as Tizanidine in the form of Zanaflex can help with SCI by relieving discomfort caused by sciatic muscle spasms. Tizanidine reviews show that it is a safer solution than narcotic pain medication like Vicodin or Percocet which are highly addictive. Physical therapy such as light exercise and stretching, as well as hot or cold compression can also help alleviate pain caused by sciatica.

There are also chiropractic and massage therapy options to help improve blood circulation and relax tight muscles to promote better body healing. Zanaflex can help with SCI but if your pain is severe and other treatment are having little effect, to avoid surgery your doctor may suggest lumbar epidural steroid injections to control inflammation and relieve pain. However, if pain persists despite all other treatment options, surgery becomes the last resort. The goal of this type of surgery is to fix the part of the spine that is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. These surgical options include a microdiscectomy to fix a herniated disk, or a laminectomy to remove a part of the spine which may be pinching the sciatic nerve.

SCI Preventative Measures

There are many lifestyle changes one can take to reduce the chances of developing sciatica or to prevent aggravating existing sciatic pain. Regular exercise and proper posture when sitting, standing and lifting objects will help reduce wear, tear and potential injury. Quitting smoking or avoiding secondhand smoke can help slow down spinal disc degeneration. People should also avoid sitting for extended periods of time. Talk to your doctor to see if you are susceptible to degenerative disc disease or if you are pregnant and require extra care to prevent back strain.

The goal is to prevent back and spinal cord injuries, unfortunately some injuries cannot be prevented, like accidental falls. If you participate in sports or other physical activities, always take the necessary steps to protect your back from injury. If you are starting to get sciatic pain, there are many stretching exercises available online to help you ease discomfort and prevent further injury. To learn more about what is SCI and how Tizanidine (Zanaflex) can help, visit our website to discover helpful health advice and treatment suggestions.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.

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