Do you suffer from constant bouts of pain caused by sciatica? There are certain non-surgical remedies and treatment which can actually help provide relief from pain and make it easier to manage sciatica. However, there are times when the usual methods or approaches wouldn’t work. Surgery is often considered a last resort and it is also not without complications. The key is to try a more holistic approach for treating the underlying cause of the pain.
Non-surgical sciatica treatment
The sciatica pain is often caused by a compressed nerve. The following treatments when carried out with the right medications and exercises can help get rid of the symptoms to quite an extent.
- Administering hot and cold therapy. The physiotherapist would make use of hot and cold compresses which can lessen the swelling and allow for a proper blood flow to the nerves. This can cause the contracted nerve to relax and allow for smoother circulation. Heat or ice might be applied to the affected area for approximately twenty minutes and the therapy is continued after every two hours. It is suggested that icing helps more but heat can help relieve the pain too. Both can be used alternately to get the best possible results.
- Pain medications can help treat sciatica. The over the counter medicines are effective in treating pain caused by sciatica. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen can provide temporary relief. Oral steroids can help reduce the inflammation as well. You might be suggested to take muscle relaxants to get rid of the pain. However, keep in mind that any pain relief medicine would only bring temporary relief. Until the underlying cause is not treated symptoms won’t lessen.
- Sometimes the pain is not abated despite the use of all the above mentioned medications, in this case a steroid epidural can be administered. The injection is administered near the affected nerve so immediate pain relief can be obtained. The relief though temporary when combines with proper treatment and exercise can help manage the symptoms.
The above are medical treatments for sciatica, there are also alternate treatments practiced by chiropractors. This includes use of manual alignment therapy and spinal adjustments which can help reposition the spine and reduce inflammation. While most people are weary of manual adjustments, when carried out by a skilled professional they can only bring relief from the pain and not cause any pain by themselves.
Acupuncture is also one treatment option. It is the approved treatment method by the national health association. Needles which are thinner than hair are placed strategically near the area where a patient experiences the pain. It allows the energy to flow freely in the body. Acupuncturists prevent the blockages of energy which are known to cause severe pain.
Massage therapy is also known to provide relief from pain and open circulation. Deep tissue massages are beneficial because these can help improve circulation to the affected area.
