Common Sciatica Pain Relief Methods

What is Sciatica?

Pain from sciatica is a an irritation of the sciatic nerve. It affects 4 out of every 10 people. The sciatic nerve emerges from either end of the spine and runs through the pelvis and buttocks. The nerve commences in the lumbar region of the spine (at the L4 and L5 levels.) It then runs along the back of the knee before it divides into branches which extends to the feet.

The irritation to the nerve can cause exerting pain. Which occurs on the areas where the sciatic nerve travels through.

Common Sciatica Pain Relief Methods:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a favorable sciatica pain relief. This must be done by a specialist to avoid further complications. Exercise for relief will entirely depend on where the pain originated. Exercise has been known to be effective for relieving sciatic nerve pain. However, should only be done after a correct diagnosis. And always led by proper examples, such as a physical therapist or a doctor.

Acupuncture

Some patients will also look into Acupuncture as an effective pain management treatment. Although no substantial evidence has emerged. Using needles on the pressure points has been thought to temporarily provide relief. But not as a long-lasting treatment. Biofeedback is also considered (by some patients) an effective way to relieve pain. Although there is also no proof to substantiate. This technique is used to maintain body homeostasis. Additionally, it maintains body pressure, muscle pressure, and heart rate.

Medications

Medications for sciatic nerve relief also are very common. Over the counter medications include:

• Acetaminophen
• Aspirin
• NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin)
• Ketoprofen
• Naproxen

In some cases, your doctor might recommend muscle relaxants to ease muscle spasms. Or antidepressants for chronic low back pain. For more severe sciatica, your healthcare professional might prescribe pain medication.

Cutting Back Activities

Minimizing activities that involve prolonged sitting and lifting heavy loads will help relieve pain from sciatica pain. Although minimizing activities is a must, bedrest is not recommended as a mainstay treatment.

Steriod Injections

In some cases, steroid injections offer relief from sciatic nerve pain. This is done by aiding in suppressing inflammation around the irritated nerve. With this treatment, a steroid is injected into the space around the spinal nerve which in turn relieves pressure and pain.

Surgical Intervention

Surgery may be one of the most effective ways for sciatica pain relief if other methods failt. If it is caused by a disc herniation, realignment of the herniated disc back to its desired position will help by getting to the root of the problem. A slipped disc is typically what causes pressure to the lower back. So correcting it through surgery is an option to relieve disc pressure.

For a preferred sciatic nerve specialist in Boca Raton, call us at  561-549-9090 or schedule an appointment now online.