whats the best treatment for sciatica?

Answer 1

Poor you. I know how it feels. I have had it for 22 years now and though they did try spinal manipulation and an epidural many years ago, I think it made it worse. Some people get "lucky" and may have it a few weeks, but others have it for a life time.

The best thing to do is keep moving. The longer you lie or sit still the harder it becomes to move again and of course you will not want to move because it hurts, but hurts because you do not move!

Try some gentle exercises like swimming or rolling your hips - your GP should be able to give you an excesses sheet.

Avoid lifting heavy items if you can, but if you must then you really need to learn how to lift correctly.

Apply heat or cold as you feel necessary - invest in or get someone to make you one - a wheat/lavender bag which you can pop in the microwave for a couple of minutes or so.

And above all, do not let it stop you from living. I know what is like.

Good luck. I hope you only have the short term one.

Answer 2

Sciatica just means that the sciatic nerve is irritated.
This could come from any spot from when the nerves leave the spinal cord to further down in your bottom.
Most common cause is prolapse of the L4/5 or the L5/S1 disc but other things like piriformis syndrome can cause it. Make sure you have a clear diagnosis (will need at least MRI, maybe also EMG). As many others have mentioned multiple possible interventions I will not rehash them. Make sure you go to a pain management specialist before you go to a surgeon as the surgeon will almost always push for an operation. The pain management specialist will have many more options and modalities to offer you. Different treatments work for different people. YMMV. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Sciatica is a nerve pain from irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. Sciatica pain is typically felt from the low back to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. Treatments for sciatica depend on the underlying cause and the severity. Onset of sciatica can be sudden, but it can also develop gradually. The pain may be intermittent or continuous, and certain activities, such as bending, coughing, sneezing, or sitting, may make the pain worse. Chronic pain may arise from more than just compression on the nerve. According to some pain researchers, physical damage to a nerve is only half of the equation. A developing theory proposes that some nerve injuries result in a release of neurotransmitters and immune system chemicals that enhance and sustain a pain message. Even after the injury has healed, or the damage has been repaired, the pain continues. Control of this abnormal type of pain is difficult. Muscle relaxers like Soma watson works GREAT! I take it with Tramadol ultram for the pain. i get my prescription meds online at PainMedsOnline.NET. At http://painmedsonline.net/ , They have US licensed Doctors evaluate and write a prescription for FREE! The Prescription is then forwarded to a US licensed pharmacy to be filled and FedEx sends them to you Overnight! good luck dear, I hope this helps your situation.

Answer 4

Sciatica is pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica pain is typically felt from the low back to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and begins from nerve roots in the lumbar spinal cord in the low back and extends through the buttock area to send nerve endings down the lower limb.

While sciatica is most commonly a result of a disc herniation directly pressing on the nerve, any cause of irritation or inflammation of this nerve can reproduce the symptoms of sciatica. These causes include irritation of the nerve from adjacent bone, tumors, muscle, internal bleeding, infections, injury, and other causes

Answer 5

Hey there,
It is a fact that no one condition reflects sciatica and it would be prudent to refer to it as a generic medical term encompassing lots of symptoms that taken together describe a lower back pain that a patient suffers from. When someone complains of severe back pain that passes down to legs through his buttocks, even down to his feet and toes, doctors suspect him to be suffering from sciatica. Often sciatica presents itself as numbness or a tingling sensation that may not be anything like the severe pain commonly associated with sciatica. This tingling or numbness may be felt by the person when he engages in some activities.


On this site you can find very good tips on how to treat your sciatica: http://curesciatica.toptips.org
I hope it helps

Answer 6

I'm so glad you asked this question, I have horrible sciatica pain as well! But I have gone to a chiro and don't want to go back. I've been trying massage and yoga (just a few times so far) and neither has been helping all that much. They both help with neck pain, but not so much with the sciatica.

Answer 7

Many of the answers here are correct, rest, take it easy, heating packs, even if you have a TENS unit you can use it, those are the electric stim. that are used in physical therapy office. But you can try doing some stretches and exercises too. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and like someone here said...it runs all the way down to the bottom of your foot. Watch what type of foot ware you have, watch your posture, the way you sleep, all of this comes in account.
Heres a site where you can find some exercises you can do at home.
Good luck and feel better ^i^♥♥♥

Answer 8

Did you ever tried using Sciatica Self Treatment mechanism? Try in this website : http://Sciatica.NatureHomeCure.com/ . This is able to extremely manage one and all!

Answer 9

You can't cure sciatica, once you have it, that's it. All you can really do is take it easy, and a heating pad helps sometimes. Befriend Motrin (ibuprofen), it'll help the muscles around the irritated nerve relax.

Answer 10

laying flat on the floor with small cushion at base of spine. its a bit uncomfortable but better than the pain of sciatica. also a hot water bottle helps but wrap it in a hand towel to avoid burning.regular stretching helps but be careful not to push to hard.also stand up straight and try to push the base of your spine in and hold it there.being as upright as possible helps like soldiers do . good luck,hope this helps