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Sciatic Remedies

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, extending from the spinal cord, down the back to the buttock, and then down each leg. Sciatica describes the pain caused by the nerve. The pain can exist for several reasons, such as a herniated disk. Sciatic remedies focus on alleviating the pain, not the source of the pain.

  1. Heat and Cold

    • Applying heat or cold may alleviate the pain of sciatica. Try cold packs, such as a towel with ice wrapped inside. Cold reduces inflammation and helps relieve discomfort. An application of 20 minutes several times a day should be sufficient. After using cold for a few days try switching to heat. Your heat source can be a heating pad, hot packs, a heat lamp or a very warm shower. Every two to three hours apply 15 to 20 minutes of heat. If the pain persists, alternate heat and cold.

    Exercise

    • Inactivity makes sciatica worse, according to the Mayo Clinic. Exercising, beginning with stretching, is a home remedy that produces results. Regular exercise prompts the body to release endorphins, the natural painkillers. Stretching exercises for the lower back may relieve pain. Concentrate on exercises that strengthen the back muscles and improve posture. As you stretch, hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Try to make the stretch as smooth as possible. If you have access to a gym, personal trainer or physical therapy, this advanced form of exercise will help remedy the pain. Work your way up slowly to more advanced exercises.

    Medicine

    • Some non-prescription medicines assist in pain management for sciatica, according to WebMD. Examples given are acetaminophen, such as Tylenol. and ibuprofen, such as Advil. A third choice would be Aleve, or naproxen. Tylenol assists with pain while Advil and Aleve treat pain and inflammation. Stronger prescription medicines are available if pain persists. They include muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs. Severe cases of sciatica may require steroid injections, although there are questions about their effectiveness.

    Surgery

    • When all other remedies fail, surgery remains an option for a herniated disk. A diskectomy involves an orthopedic surgeon removing the part of the disk that is impacting the sciatic nerve. When the surgery is performed by use of a microscope through a small incision in the back it is called a microdiskectomy. Recovery is quicker with the microdiskectomy and the results are about equal between the two surgeries. Weigh the risks against the benefits prior to undertaking this remedy.

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