The Cleveland Clinic states that sciatica is a symptom of a condition, not a condition itself. Its most common cause is a herniated or slipped disc which places pressure on the sciatic nerve. The site adds that this condition may occur suddenly or happen gradually. For most people it feels like a bad leg cramp, or may be a shooting pain down the leg that makes sitting and standing almost impossible. In many cases sciatica goes away on its own over a period of several weeks or months, according to Spine-Health.
Step 1
Try a combination of cold and hot. Spine-Health recommends beginning with cold and hot treatments. The cold helps reduce the inflammation of the nerve while simultaneously numbing the area. The site states that you should use cold treatment when the pain is sharp and intense, typically when it initially begins. Continue using for a period of 2 to 7 days depending on the severity, leaving the pack on for 20 minutes and repeating every two hours. Heat on the other hand help to dilate blood vessels which increases blood flow to the area. This help heal the nerve, as an increase in blood flow means an increase in oxygen and nutrients as well. You should apply a heat source, such as a heating pad, once the sharp pain is gone. This typically occurs between the third and seventh days.
Step 2
Speak with your doctor about over-the-counter pain relievers. The two most common pain relievers are acetaminophen and ibuprofen, both of which have a slightly different effect on the pain. While acetaminophen primarily relieves pain, ibuprofen also reduces the inflammation associated with sciatica. Because of this difference you can take both, however, you should stagger them, according to Spine-Health. This means taking one medication an hour or two after you take another. Before taking these or any medications, always speak to your doctor first.
Step 3
Go for spinal injections. Stephen H. Hochschuler, M.D. of Spine-Health explains that if you are experiencing severe sciatica pain, an epidural steroid injection is a treatment method you may want to consider. These injections differ from oral medications because it injects the steroid directly into the area surrounding the sciatic nerve that is inflamed and responsible for your pain. Hochschuler warns that this method provides only temporary pain relief that may last from one week up to one year, and it does not work for everyone.
Step 4
Attend physical therapy. The goal of physical therapy is to devise a routine of exercises that will decrease your pain by reducing the pressure on the nerve. The Cleveland Clinic explains that this routine often includes stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles and increase flexibility, along with aerobic exercises such as walking.
Step 5
Speak with your doctor about undergoing surgery. In some cases surgery is necessary to relieve sciatic pain. MayoClinic.com points out that surgery is usually a last resort, and is only used when your condition causes a loss of bowel or bladder control, significant weakness or when other therapies have proven unsuccessful.
