Cures For Sciatica

Sciatica refers to a condition associated with pain from sciatic nerve damage. Sciatica includes a number of different symptoms. Some people experience chronic pain or stabbing pain in the lower back, hips, legs and knees. People with sciatica may experience tingling or numbness in the lower extremities, and in some rare cases may have difficulty walking. Treatments include rest and physical therapy, drug treatment and surgery in rare cases.

Physical Therapy and Rest

One of the most common and effective cures for sciatica is to simply rest and allow the sciatic nerve to recover. When the injury initially occurs or when the sciatica symptoms begin, it is best to ice the sciatic nerve. You can also periodically ice the nerve throughout the recovery period. You should rest and refrain from doing extensive athletic activities, and in most cases a doctor will prescribe a specific set of physical therapy exercises. These exercises may include stretching the Piriformis muscle, or other lower back exercises and activities. A support device may also be worn while the sciatic nerve is recovering.

Drug Treatment

Pain killers are usually offered as a treatment option to manage sciatica symptoms during the period of rest and recovery. Nonprescription pain killers (over the counter analgesics such as Tylenol and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications called NSAIDs) should be tried first. If these pain killers do not relieve symptoms, doctors may prescribe stronger painkillers, including carbamazepine, phenytoin and tricyclic antidepressants.

In some severe cases, or when physical therapy and rest does not resolve the sciatica, drug therapy to treat the nerve damage is usually the next step in the treatment process. This may include steroid injections to the sciatic nerve.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the last resort for treatment. Surgery can repair slipped disks or pressure being placed on the sciatic nerve. A procedure called spinal fusion, which fuses the vertebrae of the spine, may also be recommended to relieve pressure and stabilize the spine.

Tags: sciatic nerve, physical therapy, lower back, nerve damage, rare cases, sciatica symptoms