From geisinger.org
Getting relief doesn’t have to be a pain in the back
You’ve had backaches before, but this feels different. It’s a shooting pain from your lower back to your legs. No matter what position you’re in, the ache won’t seem to go away. Should you be worried?
Knowing the cause of the pain can help you decide what to do. One answer might be sciatica, a nerve condition that causes pain in your hips, buttocks and legs. The good news? You can find relief relatively easily, and there are many simple ways to treat it yourself.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica shows up for a few different reasons. “A herniated disk or bone spur on the spine can cause sciatica,” says Amiel Wren Bethel, MD, a Geisinger neurosurgeon. “Another explanation is spinal stenosis, which happens along the spine when pressure is put on the spinal cord and nerves.”
In general, sciatica causes muscle pain, weakness, numbness and tingling. You may feel pain on one side of the body and numbness on the other. Sciatica usually only affects one leg at a time, but it can show up in both legs gradually or suddenly.
Treatment for sciatica
Fortunately, sciatica usually improves over time on its own. Over-the-counter pain medications can help with the pain, too. You can also talk to your doctor about physical therapy or acupuncture.
Keep in mind that if you need immediate relief, lying in bed probably won’t help. In fact, too much bed rest can make things worse. “Lying in bed won’t provide the relief you might think it will,” says Dr. Bethel. “Instead, try stretches and positions that reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve. You’ll feel much better.”
Soothe your sore back and hips with these techniques to ease pain and discomfort:
Gently stretch your muscles
Speak with your doctor or a trained professional about stretches for your lower back and affected muscles. Walking can also help, if you feel up to it.
Apply ice and heat compression packs
For the first few days, use ice packs to reduce swelling. Then you can switch to heat packs or hot pads to ease the pain. Use for 20 minutes at a time.
Over-the-counter meds
Ask your doctor about medications that can reduce pain and swelling.
When to see a doctor
Seek medical attention if you have any of the following:
- Sudden, significant pain in your legs and lower back
- No feeling in your leg
- Symptoms that appear from a sudden injury or accident, such as a car crash
- Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels
Left untreated, serious cases of sciatica could cause permanent nerve damage. If your symptoms last six weeks or more, your doctor might recommend surgery. Fortunately, most cases tend to get better on their own with time and self-care treatments.
You can do this
If you’re in pain, try not to worry: Most people with sciatica recover within six weeks without surgery. Consult with your doctor or a medical professional if you have questions or concerns, or if your pain doesn’t improve.
For most people, surgery isn’t the answer, but your doctor can help decide for sure. Start with some self-treatment techniques and be patient. Soon, you’ll likely be back to better.
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