Sciatica is a general term for sciatic nerve pain. The main cause of this is an injury to the sciatic nerve that causes compression or nerve damage in the lower back. Pain, numbness, and weakness are symptoms, and diagnosis is made by the person experiencing the symptoms.
The sciatic nerve starts in the lumbar spine and passes down the back of the leg and through the hip and into the pelvis. It branches off at one of the points known as the sciatica line. The most common source of this nerve is a slipped or fractured disc in the lower back. This disc is what keeps the muscles in the lower back and pelvis attached to the spine.
Sciatic nerve pain can be painful and can be caused by many things, including pregnancy, menopause, arthritis, spinal stenosis, spinal fluid leaks, and a herniated disk. It can be difficult to treat, but there are plenty of therapies that can help. The therapies that are often prescribed include medications, physical therapy, ultrasound, and electrotherapy.
There are medications that can provide major relief from sciatica pain. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) which have been shown to reduce inflammation and pain, respectively. They should not be taken by children or those with serious allergies.
Some people may need to be injected with corticosteroid injections to treat their condition. Corticosteroids are often used to reduce swelling and the pain of sciatica. They should only be used if they are prescribed by a doctor and should never be self-administered.
Other treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin. These can be effective, but not for very long. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also commonly used for those who cannot tolerate oral anti-inflammatory drugs.
Herbal supplements are sometimes used to treat sciatica but should be avoided because they are not approved by the FDA to treat conditions other than sciatica. Chiropractors may also treat this condition, but they must get written authorization from the FDA for this.
Not all treatments are cures, but a cure is a cure. There are no cures for sciatica, but there are cures for pain caused by it.
Treatments for sciatic nerve pain include anti-inflammatory drugs, chiropractic adjustments, and surgical procedures. The type of treatment that the patient is in need of depends on how severe the case of sciatica is, how many years the patient has had the pain, the amount of pain he or she is experiencing, and any other information that may be available to the doctor.
Spinal manipulations can also help. Inflamed discs may require adjustment to relieve pressure and allow the patient to exercise and live a normal life. Pain relief from spinal manipulation is also available to those who cannot have surgery.
Medications for reducing spinal cord compression can be prescribed. These include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intravenous hydrocortisone, epidural steroid injections, laser therapy, and heat therapy. Treatment options depend on the severity of the condition and a doctor’s knowledge of how best to treat the patient.
The causes of nerve pain vary, depending on the cause, but can be treated in one of several ways. Medications are available to relieve pain, but only if recommended by a doctor and monitored by them. There are no cures for sciatic nerve pain, but it can be cured with medical intervention and the proper medication.