When the nerve roots rising to the sciatic nerve are compressed or irritated, or the sciatic nerves themselves are compromised, the resulting condition is called sciatica. Sufferers of sciatica may complain of weakness, numbness or even severe pain in their lower back or in either their right or left hip, leg and/or foot. It is very rare for those with sciatica to have pain radiating down both sides of the body. There are many sciatica treatments and remedies that patients can discuss with their physician.
Conventional Therapies
1. Physical Therapy: If the sciatica is caused by a herniated disk, rehabilitation therapy can help you strengthen your supporting muscles and improve flexibility. Physical therapy should be considered a long term treatment/remedy as you will need to continue your exercises at home to maintain proper health.
2. Medication: Prescription medication may be given to you by your physician and may include antidepressants, anti-inflammatories and even anticonvulsants.
3. Injections: Injections of corticosteroids into the affected areas may be deemed necessary. This sciatica treatment suppresses inflammation around the nerve which, in turn, suppresses or alleviates pain.
Surgery
In severe cases of sciatica, surgery may be warranted. When sciatica causes severe weakness and/or incontinence of the bladder or bowels, a diskectomy or a microdiskectomy can remove a portion of the herniated disk. Discuss both surgeries with your physician to discover your best option. Both surgeries have been shown to be an equally successful sciatica treatment.
Home Remedies
1. Cold Packs: Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply to any area of the body that is painful. Leave the cold pack in place for 20 minutes and repeat the process several times throughout the day. This will help alleviate both discomfort and inflammation to the area.
2. Hot Packs: After three days of cold therapy, heat therapy should begin. Heating pads or heated rice bags applied to the area will help to alleviate pain. If the pain persists, alternating cold and heat therapy may be beneficial.
3. Stretching: Many patients find that sciatica exercises such as stretching gently can help to relieve discomfort, particularly to the lower back. Stretch gently, don’t bounce, and hold the stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds for proper results.
4. NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin, Aleve or Tylenol may help alleviate the pain associated with sciatica. Do be aware, though, that long-term use of NSAIDs can cause side effects and health problems. Consult your physician if you plan on taking NSAIDs for more than a few weeks as they are meant to be a temporary sciatica treatment.
Holistic and Alternative Therapies
1. Devil’s Claw: Low doses of the herb can relieve the pain associated with sciatica.
2. Oil of Wintergreen: This oil should not be ingested but instead applied to the skin. Methyl salicylate is the ingredient of the oil that treats inflammation caused by a wide variety of ailments.
3. St. John’s Wort: Before you go to bed, rub the oil from the herb on any area of the body where you are experiencing discomfort.
4. Chamomile: Applying chamomile tea directly to the skin has a healing effect on underlying muscle tissue.
5. Turmeric: This herb is one of the most versatile. Whether you choose to ingest the turmeric daily or mix it with butter oil and apply it topically, you’ll find relief using this proven herb.
6. Chinese Medicine: According to Chinese medicine, a combination treatment including acupuncture, cupping, medical massage, electric stimulation and stretching can cure sciatica by stretching the muscles, strengthening them and helping them ease back into place naturally.
Is Treatment Necessary?
If the sciatica is caused by a prolapse or herniation of the lumbar disc, the majority of patients find that the condition is resolved with no sciatica treatment or medical intervention at all.
