Options for Pain Relief for Sciatica Pain
Most people suffering from low back pain will tell you that after a while, their overriding objective is to find pain relief for sciatica pain. They’ve spent months, going from doctor to specialist, they’ve taken drugs of all kinds and while they’ve experienced some temporary relief, the pain of constantly aching legs and feet always seems to return and becomes a part of everyday life.
There are many and varied causes of low back pain and it’s critical that the cause be diagnosed correctly before embarking on a cure for it. Pain relief for sciatica pain is equally varied and ranges from over the counter painkillers to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs via prescription, special exercises designed for low back pain relief and of course, surgery, which can only be determined by your doctor.
What causes the pain? The sciatic nerve has its roots in the spine and is very sensitive. It could be that a disc which separates the vertebrae is herniated and becomes inflamed thus compressing that nerve. Sciatica can be excruciatingly painful and sucks all the joy out of life, whether you have a chronic case or those acute sciatica flare-ups. But, as noted earlier, having a correct diagnosis is a big step towards finding pain relief for sciatica pain and researchers into spinal disorders have found that the first option of choice is exercise, done gently and regularly and custom-designed by a professional to alleviate your particular type of sciatica pain. The goal is to strengthen the lower back and thigh muscles in order to improve flexibility – those muscles support the back and the spine. The sciatic nerve runs through the piriformis muscles in the buttocks and when this muscle tightens up or goes into spasm, it compresses the sciatic nerve which runs down both legs – causing pain.
It’s suggested that taking it easy for a couple of days is beneficial but you should not stay in bed for long periods as it’s far better to rest in a comfortable armchair with hot and cold packs on the affected area. Then some gentle exercise such as walking will relax and strengthen the back and leg muscles as long as you do it regularly.
Many years ago, the only surgical procedure which resulted in pain relief for sciatica pain was spinal fusion – drastic indeed as it meant that the spine became inflexible. Newer surgical techniques include removal of a herniated disc (microdiscectomy) or a lumbar laminectomy which alleviates the compression of the sciatic nerve by surgically removing some of the small bones in the vertebra.
There are more options these days to get pain relief for sciatica pain. It’s important to remember that those sharp pains radiating down one or both legs are only a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve – the inflammation and irritation can have several different causes and therefore, there are several different remedies for pain relief for sciatic pain – it’s critical that the correct one is chosen to avoid further damage to the nerve.
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