Non-surgical and Surgical Options for Sciatic Nerve Treatment
You know what makes sciatica worse than it really is? Not only is sciatica is a condition that results from inflammation or injury, the pain it causes radiates down the leg. Fortunately for sufferers, there are many sciatic nerve treatments around. From resources like The Secrets to a Pain-Free Back to prescription drugs, these sciatic nerve treatments vary depending on the cause and severity of the injury.
Non-Surgical Remedies
The good news is that most cases of sciatica will resolve themselves in a few days to a few weeks. Ice, heat, or a combination of both can be effective in relieving pain especially just after injury. Cold or hot packs should be applied to the area of the lower back and hip where the sciatic nerve leaves the spine.
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can also be effective sciatic nerve treatments by aiding in reducing inflammation. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can be purchased over-the-counter, or your doctor may recommend a prescription-strength NSAID. Always carefully follow the package instructions for dosing and frequency. The most common side-effect of these medications is upset stomach.
Steroid injections may be recommended for severe sciatica pain. This procedure can be done by the doctor. Epidural steroid shots reduce inflammation and swelling, and the medication is injected at the site for more targeted treatment than you get with oral medications. The treatment does wear off, but it can alleviate the pain enough to allow other regimens, such as exercise, time to take effect.
Surgical Options
In severe cases that last more than 12 weeks, a doctor may recommend surgery for sciatic nerve treatment. Generally, two options are available and the choice depends on the specific case. Microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure in which a small portion of bone is removed to allow the nerve more room to heal. It is much more effective for radiating leg pain than lower back pain and usually provides immediate pain relief. Numbness or weakness will still take time heal.
A lumbar laminectomy, or open decompression, is generally used when the sciatica is caused by spinal stenosis. The narrowing of the spine resulting from stenosis can create pressure on the sciatic nerve. This pressure can cause inflammation, which in turn increases the pressure and pain. The lumbar laminectomy surgery removes a portion of the bone over or under the nerve root, freeing it from the narrowed space.
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February 23rd, 2010 at 12:38 am
I’ve been suffering with all of the symptoms you describe for sciatica and have been taking naproxin since 12/22. I’ve bought more heat patches than I can count, but am now off of them and exercises I’ve been doing have been helpful, although I still have an occasional “game” leg. Any tips you could provide to accelerate this would be most helpful. P.S. I’ve been a jogger, runner, all my life and have been a firm believer that if you can move long distances, that is a plus since the blood keeps circulating. Therefore, I was shocked to come down with this condition which I’ve never suffered through before at age 71. The few episodes of previous back problems foing back to 1966 more or less resolved themselves in the past and chiropractic worked quickly for me in the past, but not this time. I finally gave up on the chiropracter and have some exercises I obtained from my health care provide which do help, but it is a slow process.
Thx again
George Callas
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:17 am
Hello George,
Thanks for your comment.
Everyone’s case is different so each case should be looked at individually but in my specific case after trying everything possible what got me back on track was when I bought an inversion machine, and what a difference that has made in my case.
Since I started on this machine, it then allowed me to start exercising once again and after about 6 months of use I was able to start playing tennis once again and now play every other day… as long as I use the machine every day.
Until I started using this machine I was going to my OD for an adjustment once every couple of weeks and getting a massage every Friday. I now haven’t been to either in year and chalk it up to the inversion and exercising regimen I do everyday. I got mine at dick’s sporting goods for around $200 but first bring it up with your Doctor who is familiar with your case.
Best of luck to you!