How to Treat Sciatica: Effective Pain Relief Methods and Recovery Tips

Sciatica is a painful condition caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain to radiate from your spine, down your leg, to your foot. There are several treatment options available, depending on whether your pain is acute or chronic and its cause. Learn how to effectively manage pain caused by sciatic nerve damage and the options and treatments available to treat this problem.

Treating sciatica at home

Rest . This is the most important step in healing any illness or injury, so make sure you give your body the rest it needs. If necessary, take days off from work (or school) to allow your back to recover.

Apply ice to the painful area. This will reduce swelling and tension and provide mild relief.

• Apply the ice pack to the painful area for 10 to 20 minutes for optimal results. Do this three to four times a day.
• After the cold, apply warm compresses to constrict blood vessels and relieve pain.

Take medication to reduce swelling. This will reduce inflammation, but also pain.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are available over the counter at the pharmacy and are effective for minor sciatica pain.
• Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are available only by prescription and are effective in treating chronic sciatica pain caused by a damaged sciatic nerve.
• Muscle relaxants are effective in relieving muscle cramps and pain.

Stretch the affected muscles . Doing low-impact exercise and stretching can help heal the muscle and strengthen it to prevent future damage.

• Stretch the piriformis muscle (the muscle in the leg that runs parallel to the sciatic nerve). This helps relieve some pressure on the nerve.
• Regularly engage in low-impact exercise such as water aerobics. This will reduce pressure on your joints while building muscle.
• Strengthen your back and abdominal muscles to better support your sciatic nerve. For example, doing sit-ups will tone your core and waist, reducing discomfort from your sciatic nerve.
• Avoid sitting or standing. This can put even more pressure on the affected area and increase pain. Instead, go for a walk or lie down.

Wear a lumbar belt. This will help support your back and prevent further damage to the nerve. If necessary, you can even use a cane or crutches to help you walk 

Get treatment from a doctor

Make an appointment with a physical therapist. They will have you do specific exercises and stretches that will significantly increase your chances of recovery.

Make an appointment with an occupational therapist. They will teach you how to manage your health problem in your daily life (postures, gestures, and prohibitions).

Try ultrasound therapy. This is a special machine that uses ultrasound to reduce pain and relax muscles.

Ask your doctor about having an epidural injection. This is a corticosteroid injection near the spine to reduce inflammation and pain.

ry chymopapain. This is another type of injection given by a doctor to help deflate or soften the damaged disc (chemonucleolysis)

Get surgery. This is a last resort, but surgery can help treat a severe sciatica attack by reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve or repairing a damaged disc 

Preventing sciatica

Avoid weight bearing. This can compress the nerves in your spine and damage the surrounding muscles.

Stay fit . Weight gain and obesity can lead to sciatic nerve compression. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help reduce sciatica pain.

Avoid strain on your back and legs. This includes sitting for long periods and lifting objects that are too heavy for you.

Continue exercising and doing back therapy. Regularly do recommended sciatica prevention exercises, such as sit-ups and stretching.

Warnings

• Carefully consider the surgical treatment options available to you. Surgery always carries risks.
• Long-term use of corticosteroid medications, especially oral corticosteroids, can cause serious side effects, such as increased susceptibility to illness or suppression of the HPA axis. This can lead to adrenal insufficiency in cases of high stress. Discuss the implications with your doctor before taking this type of medication for long periods.