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Treatments for Sciatica Relief

Sciatica is a neurological disorder that occurs when undue pressure is applied to the sciatic nerve. It manifests as pain in the lower back and hip area, which radiates into the legs. Sciatica may be cause by a herniated disk that presses on the sciatic nerve. Symptoms include feeling like you have a leg cramp; pain when you sit, sneeze or cough and weakness, numbness (with pins-and-needles feeling) and tingling down the leg. Sciatica commonly resolves itself, but the painful symptoms can be managed with a combination of physical therapy and medication. In some cases, if the discomfort does not self-resolve, surgery may be required.

  1. Physical Therapy

    • Physical therapy is commonly used to alleviate the pain associated with sciatica. A physical therapist may have you do a series of sessions that emphasize stretching. A personal trainer at a gym can also help you find exercises that will help alleviate some of your discomfort. A regular routine of stretching and walking can also help alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve and help reduce discomfort.

    Spinal Cord Decompression

    • Another method of helping with sciatica and other related disc injuries is spinal cord decompression. Both chiropractors and neurologists offer this treatment. After being evaluated by a physician, you may be prescribed a number of spine decompression treatments. These sessions may include hot and cold packs and lying in a special spinal decompression machine for approximately 40 minute treatments. Treatment are typically extends between 12 and 14 visits. Most patients report that they get relief while attending sessions.

    Medication

    • You can alleviate pain by using over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medication. In addition, your doctor may prescribe other anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxers or narcotic pain killers on a short-term basis.

    Epidural Steriods

    • In some cases--for example, if your pain is chronic and physical therapy and prescription medication are providing sufficient relief--you may need to try a more aggressive method of treatment to gain relief, such as epidural steroid injections. A corticosteroid helps relieve pain by slowing down inflammation around the nerve helping to stop pain.

    Surgery

    • In a small percentage of cases, surgery becomes an option when the nerve disorder does not respond to other treatments. The surgery removes some of the disk that is affecting the nerve, which alleviates pressure on the sciatic nerve and thus eliminates pain.

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