What Are the Treatments for Sciatic Nerve Problems?

Sciatic nerve problems occur when the base of the spine and the sciatic nerve are pushed together, usually because of injury or too much pressure, such as overgrown spinal bone, over an extended period of time. Treatment depends on the cause and degree of the problem.

Symptoms

• Sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, is often described as feeling like burning or tingling. The pain can be sharp or dull, and constant or intermittant. Usually, only one side of the body is affected.

Moderate activity

• Bed rest is the traditional recommendation for treating back pain, including sciatic nerve problems. However, recent research, such as a study published in "The New England Journal of Medicine," is suggesting that moderate activity may be more beneficial than strict bed rest. Doctors may prescribe specific exercises or simply walking, according to SpineUniverse.com. However, you should stop any activity that worsens your pain.

Pain medicine

• Pain from sciatic nerve problems is usually treated with an anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen. In more severe cases, codeine or a cortisone-like drug may be used for pain management, although this won't cure the problem, according to SpineUniverse.com.

Surgery

• Sciatic nerve problems caused by herniated discs may be treated with a laminectomy. In this procedure, part of the posterior arch is removed to decrease pressure on the nerve tissues. When the pain is caused by spinal stenosis--overgrown spinal bone--surgery can be done to remove the part of the bone that's putting pressure on the sciatic nerve system, according to SpineUniverse.com.

Warning

• Not all sciatic nerve problems require surgery. It may be an option for people who have shown no improvement after four to six weeks of other treatment, as well as for people who have had a CT scan or an MRI confirming that the pain is caused by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.