Sciatica or sciatica is a painful injury that involves strain or damage to the sciatic nerve, which starts in your spine and travels down your leg. There are various options that can be used to treat sciatica, depending on the severity of the pain you are experiencing and where the cause of the pain is. Learn how to manage pain caused by sciatic nerve damage and an overview of how to treat sciatica with these treatment options.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Treating Sciatica at Home
Step 1. Rest
This is the most important step in healing an illness or injury, so make sure your body gets plenty of rest. If necessary, take time off from work or school to sleep and let your back heal.
Step 2. Apply ice to the affected area
This will reduce swelling and tension while providing some minor relief from discomfort.
- You can place an ice cube on the area for ten to twenty minutes for optimal results. Do this 3-4 times a day.
- Follow up this ice cube treatment with a hot compress to constrict blood vessels and reduce pain.
Step 3. Take medication to reduce swelling
This will not only lower inflammation, but also help reduce pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be purchased without a prescription and are effective for pain caused by sciatica.
- Strength prescription medications such as steroids are effective options for treating chronic sciatic nerve damage.
- You can take muscle relaxants to reduce muscle spasms and pain.
Step 4. Stretch the affected muscle
Low-impact exercises and stretching can help heal muscles and strengthen them to fight further damage.
- Frequently stretch the piriformis muscle - the muscle in the leg that runs parallel to the sciatic nerve - to relieve tension on the nerve.
- Get regular low-impact exercises like water aerobics. This will reduce strain on the joints as well as promote healthy muscle development.
- Strengthen the back and abdominal muscles to create firm support for the sciatic nerve. Lower abdominal exercises, such as crunches (sit-ups), are a great way to strengthen the midsection and to relieve discomfort in the sciatic nerve.
- Avoid sitting or standing. This can put more pressure on the injured area, which will make the pain worse. Instead, try walking around or lying down.
Step 5. Wear back braces
This will help to support the back and reduce further strain on the nerves. If necessary, you can also use a cane or crutches to help you walk.
Method 2 of 4: Undergoing Holistic Treatment
Step 1. Get acupuncture therapy
A licensed acupuncturist will insert thin needles into the body to relieve pain. You may feel some discomfort during this treatment, although it shouldn't be painful. Many people report their pain is reduced after undergoing acupuncture therapy.
Instead, undergo acupuncture therapy with other treatments
Step 2. Visit a chiropractor
Undergoing regular spinal adjustments can also help reduce pain. The chiropractor can manipulate the spine to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, thereby reducing the pain you are experiencing.
You must visit your chiropractor regularly for this treatment. This treatment is great for long-term pain control
Step 3. Go for massage therapy
A quality massage therapist can help relieve pain. Massage will improve blood circulation around the painful area. In addition, massage will also relax muscles and release endorphins, which are the body's natural pain relievers.
Ask about the training and experience of your massage therapist. Find someone who has experience with chronic pain patients
Method 3 of 4: Undergoing Treatment from a Doctor
Step 1. Visit a physical therapist
They can perform specific exercises and stretches to increase your recovery rate.
Step 2. Visit an occupational therapist
This specialized therapy helps teach you the skills needed to manage your injury in daily activities.
Step 3. Try ultrasound therapy
This is a special machine that uses sound waves to reduce muscle pain and tension.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about trying an epidural steroid medication
You will be given an injection of steroid medication near your spine to reduce pain and swelling.
Step 5. Try chemonucleolysis
This is another injection that doctors give to help contract or soften damaged joint discs.
Step 6. Perform the operation
Although this is the last step to take, surgery can help correct a difficult case of sciatica by reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve or repairing a damaged disc.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Sciatica
Step 1. Avoid heavy lifting
This can put pressure on the nerves in the spine and injure nearby muscles.
Step 2. Stay in shape
Weight gain and obesity can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce the pain associated with sciatica.
Step 3. Avoid pressure on your back and legs
This includes sitting for long periods of time and lifting objects that are too heavy for you to handle safely.
Step 4. Keep practicing and undergoing therapy
Regularly do exercises that help treat post-recovery sciatica such as crunches and leg stretches.
Warning
- Long-term use of corticosteroids, especially their oral versions, can cause adverse side effects including increased susceptibility to infection and pressure on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This can put you at risk of not having enough adrenaline in times of severe stress. Consult a healthcare practitioner about this issue before you commit to long-term use of corticosteroids.
- Be careful when considering surgical options for treating sciatica, as there are always risks that come with the surgical procedure.
