Lower back pain caused by sciatica fades away on its own for most patients who experience it. If time does not help you, your doctor can offer other forms of treatment, including surgery and shots of medication.
Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when a in your back puts pressure on your sciatic nerve, causing lower back pain that radiates down your buttock and continues down the back of your leg.
Significance
About one in 50 people will experience a herniated disk at some point. Sciatica usually occurs in adults aged 30 to 50 years.
Shots
Shots of steroid medication into your back near the herniated disk can reduce the inflammation and pain sciatica. Your doctor can perform the injections.
Complications
Sciatica treatment shots can cause complications, including decreased bone density and thinning of the skin near the injection site. To reduce your risk, receive a shot only every few months.
Considerations
Because of the risks associated with shots, your doctor will usually begin your sciatica treatment with over-the-counter pain medication, rest for your back and physical exercise. If these do not help, then shots could be the next step in your treatment.
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