Sciatica is a pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg that is caused by injury or compression of the sciatica nerve. The sciatica nerve starts in the spine and runs down the back of each leg. According to MedLine Plus, sciatica can be caused by piriformis syndrome, back disc disorders, spinal stenosis, tumors or pelvic injuries. There are a variety of treatment options available for bodybuilders with sciatica depending on the level of pain.
At Home Treatments
According to MedLine Plus, conservative treatment is best in many sciatica cases and in some instances no treatment is required and recovery occurs on its own. Activity is recommended if you can tolerate it. MayoClinic.com notes that exercise and stretching are both good ways to combat chronic discomfort. Ice and heat treatments, over-the-counter pain relievers and sleeping with a pillow between your knees will help to relieve pressure. Bodybuilders should avoid heavy lifting until pain subsides and focus on agility, stretching and light strength training instead of their normal heavy workouts.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can play a vital role in recovery if you have sciatica caused a herniated disc. Physical therapy treatments are designed to strengthen surrounding muscles so that injuries and pain do not continue to occur. The Mayo Clinic notes that typical rehab activities include exercises to correct posture, exercises to strengthen the back muscles and flexibility exercises. Although bodybuilders are strong, sometimes the smaller muscles of the hips and mid-section are ignored while bodybuilders train the larger, more visible muscles.
Prescription Drugs
In more serious cases where pain does not go away and does not respond to less invasive treatments, prescription medications and treatments may be required. Your doctor may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication along with a muscle relaxant to ease the pain. In addition, corticosteroid shots can be used to treat pain. According to MayoClinic.com, corticosteroids suppress inflammation around the irritated nerve, which helps to relieve pain.
Other Treatments
MayoClinic.com notes that spinal manipulation done by a chiropractor has been shown to restore movement, improve function and decrease pain. In addition, acupuncture has shown effectiveness with back pain treatment in some studies. Massage therapy may also be effective.
Surgery
Surgery for sciatica pain is generally reserved for serious conditions in which the compressed nerve causes significant weakness, incontinence or increasing pain. MayoClinic.com notes that two surgical procedures are available: a discectomy and a microdiscectomy; both involve removing portions of a herniated disc.
