If you have ever suffered from severe sciatic pain, then you know that it can really disrupt your normal life. Regardless of the cause of the pain, there are several ways you can get rid of it. Depending on the degree of sciatic pain, the range of medical interventions ranges from physiotherapy and medication to surgery.
Steps
Step 1. Make sure the pain you are experiencing is really sciatic
Sciatic pain is localized in the buttocks, as well as in the back of the leg. The pain is usually sharp and worse when you are sitting. It may also be accompanied by tingling or numbness in one of the buttocks, one or both legs
Step 2. Wait a few days, the pain may go away on its own
If sciatic pain is not very severe, it usually goes away on its own without medication, back reduction, or surgery.
Step 3. Apply ice packs and a heating pad to the sciatic pain site to reduce the pain
Remember to put a towel or other cloth between the ice pack or heating pad and your body.
Step 4. Exercise regularly, as prolonged bed rest makes the condition worse
Focus on strengthening your abdominal and back muscles, and use the aerobic elements of your workout. This will help train and strengthen your back
Step 5. To relieve sciatic pain, stretch your leg, focusing on the hamstring
When the hamstring is too tense, it puts more stress on the lower back and therefore aggravates the inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Step 6. If exercise and stretching are ineffective, buy medication from your pharmacy to reduce inflammation
Look for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ask your pharmacist for advice on the drug that will best relieve sciatic pain
Step 7. See a chiropractor or other licensed physical therapist for back adjustments that will provide temporary or long-term relief
Step 8. Talk to your doctor about more serious and invasive treatments for sciatic pain, including surgery to remove any somatic obstruction that touches and pinches the sciatic nerve
Another common option is an epidural steroid injection. Sciatic pain is caused by inflammation and steroids will help reduce this inflammation
Advice
- Find out which cause of your sciatic pain is diagnosed by your doctor. This will help you understand the methods of treatment and preventive measures that are prescribed for you.
- Start exercising and stretching before your sciatic pain worsens. This will make you healthier and stronger, while the likelihood of experiencing back pain will be significantly reduced.
Warnings
- Never consider surgery as the first option. Before discussing surgery with your doctor, try all non-surgical treatments and medications first.
- Do not treat sciatic pain without consulting your doctor. The wrong treatment for sciatic pain will only make your condition worse.