How to Find Sciatica Relief
Sciatica is pain, numbness or discomfort that radiates along the sciatic nerve from your lower back and buttocks down to your feet, often on only one side of your body. Sciatica is usually a sign that there is a problem in your lower back. This underlying condition irritates or pinches your sciatic nerve, causing pain. Sciatic nerve pain can range from feelings of mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Fortunately, the pain is rarely permanent, and there are several things you and your doctor can do to find sciatica relief.Instructions
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Visit your doctor to determine what is causing the sciatic nerve pain. Sciatica can be caused by many conditions, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, piriformis, pregnancy and even poor posture. Your doctor will ask you about the location of the pain, the level of the pain and if certain activities increase or decrease the pain. She may also do an x-ray, CT scan or MRI. Make sure you let your doctor know if you were in an accident or experienced any back trauma that could have irritated or pinched your sciatic nerve.
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You may have to undergo surgery if your doctor determines that the condition causing your sciatic nerve pain is serious. If your condition is less critical, your doctor may try noninvasive sciatic nerve pain treatments first, such as pain medication and physical therapy. Fortunately, most people find complete sciatica relief within a few weeks without the need for surgery.
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If your sciatic nerve pain is mild, you can take over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Tylenol. If the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication and a muscle relaxant to help give you sciatica relief. In extreme cases, your doctor may use epidural steroid injections to control inflammation in the affected area.
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Try placing hot or cold packs on your lower back for several minutes to relieve sciatic nerve pain. You may find that hot packs relieve the pain better than cold, or vice versa. You could also try alternating hot and cold packs. Experiment to find the combination that brings the most sciatica relief.
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Use massage to provide sciatic nerve pain relief. Sciatica may cause your muscles to spasm, making the pain worse. You can use massage to relax your muscles, relieving the pressure on your sciatic nerve. Massage also increases blood circulation and releases endorphins, the body's natural pain relievers.
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Avoid straining your lower back. Don't lift heavy things and avoid sitting for long periods of time. When you do sit, make sure your posture is correct. When you are lying down, put a pillow under your knees to reduce the pressure on your lower back and sciatic nerve. Avoid twisting and jerking motions when you move.
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Use stretching and strengthening exercises as a treatment for sciatic nerve pain. Inactivity will only make the sciatic pain worse, so you should follow a regular, gentle exercise routine prescribed by your doctor. The type of exercises you should do depend on the condition that is causing your pain. Consult with your doctor or physical therapist and follow their directions exactly to avoid causing further injury.
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Incorporate exercise into your lifestyle to prevent or reduce future sciatica pain. Your exercise program should include non-impact aerobic exercise, such as bicycling, swimming or walking and back strengthening exercises. Focus on exercises that strengthen your back, abdominal, gluteus and hip muscles, otherwise known as the core muscles. Strong core muscles support your spine and keep it aligned so that you are less prone to injury.
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