How To Relieve Sciatica Pain

Are you experiencing lower back pain on one side of your body, running from the lower back, down through your hips and buttocks and down your leg? 

Chances are, you’re dealing with Sciatica.

Sciatica typically occurs when part of your Sciatic nerve is pinched from a herniated disk, bone spur on on the spine or narrowing of the spine.

Up next, we’ll look at home and alternative sciatica treatment options.

5 Home and Alternative Sciatica Treatment Options

A large number of people are able to relieve Sciatica Pain with home care measures.

These include hot and cold packs, stretching exercises and over-the-counter-medications like Aleve and ibuprofen.

5 Common home remedies for sciatica pain include:

  • Cold and Hot Packs
  • Stretching
  • Over-The-Counter-Medications
  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractor

Acupuncture is an option that some studies support, while others find no benefit, which seems to mirror opinions for many who have tried it.  If you do try, make sure you use a license professional!

Another alternative option to consider is having a chiropractor do a spinal adjustment.  This can restore spinal movement and may help with the pinched nerve.

Up next, medical sciatica treatment options.

Medical Treatment Options For Sciatica

If alternative or home care options don’t help relieve Sciatic Pain, a doctor will usually review medical treatment options with you.

4 Common Medical Treatments for Sciatic Pain:

  • Prescribed Medication
  • Steroid Injections
  • Physical Therapy
  • Surgery

There are a number of prescribed medications a doctor might recommend for Sciatic pain; Anti-Seizure, Tricyclic antidepressants, narcotics, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories.

Steroid or corticosteroid injections can suppress or reduce inflammation around the pinched nerve area, helping to relieve pain.  The effects usually wear off after a few months and there is a risk of serious side effects if used to frequently.

If you’re able to move past extreme pain, doctors may prescribe physical therapy designed to strengthen muscles supporting your back, improve your flexibility and instill a new posture to avoid a repeat of past injuries that may have resulted in Sciatic Pain. 

Typically a last resort, surgery can be used when Sciatic pain takes on extreme symptoms like loss of bowel or bladder control or deep pain that is not improving through more traditional Sciatica Pain treatment options.  

Surgery usually involves removing a portion of the herniated disk or bone spur that is pressuring the Sciatic Nerve.