Pinched Sciatic Nerve Treatment
Sciatica is an issue with the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back and down into each leg. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, and when it is damaged or has unusual pressure applied to it from another source, it can lead to shooting pains or throbbing in the affected leg. Sciatica is bothersome at best, and at its worst can restrict mobility or feeling in your leg.
Rest and Exercise
In cases where sciatica appears suddenly and is unrelated to injury or another medical condition, rest and exercise are recommended. Resting allows any inflammation that is around the sciatic nerve to lessen. Sometimes, laying in a certain position will alleviate pressure on the nerve. Exercises can help strengthen the muscles around the sciatic nerve and may also alleviate the pressure that causes sciatica.
Medication
Over-the-counter pain medications can be used to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with sciatica. In some cases, prescription medications may be necessary. This can include oral medications, such as carbamazepine. It may also include injected medications, such as steroids, to help reduce the inflammation that causes sciatica.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy includes exercises to strengthen the muscles around the area that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve. It can also include aids, such as a brace or splint, to provide support for the leg that is affected by the nerve pressure. Orthopedic shoes can provide support and relief from sciatic nerve pain.
Surgery
Surgery may be required to correct the problem that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve. Most often, this involves a herniated disk on the spine. Surgery can also repair a sciatic nerve that has been damaged by an injury, or to remove lesions that are causing pressure on the nerve.
Complications
In most cases, sciatica causes some degree of pain. However, in severe cases, it can lead to numbness in the leg or loss of the use of the limb. Sciatica is not a medical condition in and of itself. It is a symptom of another condition that will need to be corrected in order to resolve the sciatic nerve pain.
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