It has happened to most of you at least a few times. You start to
sit down, stand, walk, or turn in the wrong way... and ouch! All of a
sudden, you experience a sharp pain that does not make you feel so
great. Whether it is a twinge or a crimp, it is quick and uncomfortable.
For most of you, those little twinges and crimps go away on their own.
For those suffering from sciatica, they most likely will not!
Sciatica is a symptom characterized by consistent escalating pain on one side of the buttock, lower back, or leg; tingling or burning down the leg; numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving the foot or leg; or a sharp shooting pain that may make it difficult to walk, turn or even stand up. Sciatica is not a disease in itself - it is a symptom of an underlying problem. The cause is generally the compression of the roots of the spinal cord. This can occur at multiple points along the end of the spinal column. Because the symptoms can result from numerous causes, sciatica treatment options vary just as much! The following are a few popular sciatica treatment options:
Rest and Relaxation
Sometimes, the best and the simplest treatment options for sciatica pain is to simply rest for at least a few days. However, physicians generally recommend that over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Naproxen, combined with bed rest for faster results. In more severe cases, even muscle relaxant drugs may be prescribed for instant relief from shooting pain.
Epidural Steroid Injections
In certain situations, physicians recommend that epidural steroid injections with cortisone or a similar drug be injected directly into the affected area. Cortisone, when combined with rest and relaxation, is often all that is needed to permanently, or at least temporarily, reverse sciatica pain. Pain relief will often be experienced immediately after a single shot, but certain cases may require a series of treatments.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for sciatica treatment may include acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, massage therapy, etc. But, it is not always compulsory to work one-one-one with a physiotherapist to help alleviate sciatica pain. Physical therapy can simply include taking short walks, stretching, and staying as active as possible when the sciatic pain is not too much to bear.
Heat and Ice
Hot and cold packs are often advised to provide relief from nerve pain as well as to help reduce swelling and inflammation. Ice can numb the regions that are experiencing pain, and heat will increase blood circulation in the affected area, thereby speeding up the recovery process.
In cases where consistent and severe sciatic pain lasts more than several months, and none of the above-mentioned non-surgical sciatica treatments have helped relieve the pain, surgery must be considered. It generally involves removing the disk that is pressurizing the sciatic nerve. There is always some level of risk associated with surgery, so it should only be adopted after all non-invasive sciatica treatments have failed!
Sciatica is a symptom characterized by consistent escalating pain on one side of the buttock, lower back, or leg; tingling or burning down the leg; numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving the foot or leg; or a sharp shooting pain that may make it difficult to walk, turn or even stand up. Sciatica is not a disease in itself - it is a symptom of an underlying problem. The cause is generally the compression of the roots of the spinal cord. This can occur at multiple points along the end of the spinal column. Because the symptoms can result from numerous causes, sciatica treatment options vary just as much! The following are a few popular sciatica treatment options:
Rest and Relaxation
Sometimes, the best and the simplest treatment options for sciatica pain is to simply rest for at least a few days. However, physicians generally recommend that over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Naproxen, combined with bed rest for faster results. In more severe cases, even muscle relaxant drugs may be prescribed for instant relief from shooting pain.
Epidural Steroid Injections
In certain situations, physicians recommend that epidural steroid injections with cortisone or a similar drug be injected directly into the affected area. Cortisone, when combined with rest and relaxation, is often all that is needed to permanently, or at least temporarily, reverse sciatica pain. Pain relief will often be experienced immediately after a single shot, but certain cases may require a series of treatments.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for sciatica treatment may include acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, massage therapy, etc. But, it is not always compulsory to work one-one-one with a physiotherapist to help alleviate sciatica pain. Physical therapy can simply include taking short walks, stretching, and staying as active as possible when the sciatic pain is not too much to bear.
Heat and Ice
Hot and cold packs are often advised to provide relief from nerve pain as well as to help reduce swelling and inflammation. Ice can numb the regions that are experiencing pain, and heat will increase blood circulation in the affected area, thereby speeding up the recovery process.
In cases where consistent and severe sciatic pain lasts more than several months, and none of the above-mentioned non-surgical sciatica treatments have helped relieve the pain, surgery must be considered. It generally involves removing the disk that is pressurizing the sciatic nerve. There is always some level of risk associated with surgery, so it should only be adopted after all non-invasive sciatica treatments have failed!
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