Are there cures for sciatica

The most common types of drugs prescribed for sciatica pain include:. Anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce inflammation and sciatica symptoms. They also include COX-2 inhibitors, which stop pain by blocking hormones in the body. Muscle relaxants loosen muscles tightened up by sciatica, and narcotics help to ease sciatica pain. Epidural steroidal injections can also reduce pain. With this option, a corticosteroid and anesthetic numbing drug are inserted into the space between two vertebrae.

However, a doctor can still use the drug for that purpose. This is because the FDA regulates the testing and approval of drugs, but not how doctors use drugs to treat their patients.

So, your doctor can prescribe a drug however they think is best for your care. Learn more: What you need to know about off-label prescription drug use ».

Alternative treatments for sciatica can also provide some pain relief. A chiropractor can adjust your spine in a way that increases spinal movement, which improves spine function and decreases pain. Chiropractic treatment can also relieve lower back pain caused by sciatica, but is less effective for radiating pain. You may have tight muscles as a result of sciatica pain. Massage can help loosen up your muscles, alleviating some pain and improving mobility and flexibility.

Some research suggests that acupuncture can help relieve sciatica. When you first start experiencing sciatica pain, applying a cold pack can provide a lot of relief. Wrap a cold pack or a bag of frozen peas in a clean towel, and apply it to the painful area a few times a day for up to 20 minutes each time. If your sciatica is still bothering you after a few days, then it can be helpful to try heat instead. Apply a heat lamp on the lowest setting, a hot pack, or a heating pad to the painful area.

Sciatica is a painful condition that can make everyday life more challenging. The good news is that there are a lot of ways to treat it, and many of them are quite effective at reducing symptoms. Talk with your doctor to determine which treatments are best for you. Back pain is something most people will experience in their lifetime.

Sciatica can be acute or chronic. An acute sciatica flare-up may last one to two weeks and may lead to more severe pain and chronic sciatica.

The telltale symptoms of sciatic nerve pain are severe pain in your back, buttocks, and legs. Sciatica is a sensation in which you feel a moderate to intense pain in your back, buttocks, and legs.

It is advisable to treat sciatica as early as possible in order to avoid the progression of symptoms. Sciatica treatment may include both nonsurgical and surgical methods. Typically, nonsurgical methods are tried first.

First line treatments of sciatica typically include some combination of physical therapy, medications, therapeutic injections, and alternative therapies.

Acute sciatica usually gets better with 4 to 6 weeks of nonsurgical treatment. For chronic sciatica with pain lasting over 8 weeks, treatment time may take longer and may depend on the underlying cause. Physical therapy incorporates a combination of strengthening, stretching, and aerobic conditioning and is a central component of almost any sciatica treatment plan. Therapeutic exercises may also be added to a physical therapy program. Sciatica treatment usually starts with nonsurgical methods and includes some combination of physical therapy, medications, therapeutic injections, and alternative therapies.

Watch Now. While some rest or activity modification may be necessary, it is important to maintain as much activity as possible and avoid prolonged periods of physical inactiveness or bedrest. Certain exercises to treat sciatica may be specific to the underlying cause. Trained health professionals, such as physiatrists, physical therapists, chiropractors or qualified certified athletic trainers can help formulate an effective treatment plan to relieve sciatica pain through exercise and physical therapy.

See Sciatica Causes and Exercises. Both prescription and over-the-counter OTC medications may be used to relieve sciatica pain. A few examples of medications used to treat sciatica pain include:. These drugs are usually taken in order to obtain pain relief and allow the patient to participate in physical therapy.

There are various treatment options available to ease sciatica pain. These include over-the-counter OTC medications, creams, exercises, massage, and surgery. Sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, is a nonspecific term that describes a variety of leg or back symptoms. It may refer to a sharp or burning pain that radiates down the legs from the buttocks. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen and aspirin, could help ease the pain of sciatica. These are available over the counter from drugstores.

However, it is worth noting that there is limited evidence to suggest that these medications work for sciatica. As with all drugs, they have some possible side effects.

For example, drowsiness is a common side effect of some muscle relaxants. If the pain does not get better, doctors might suggest injecting steroids into the spine. Steroid injections can help with the pain by reducing swelling. However, this only works for a short time, and some people find that it can make the pain worse. Some, though not many, people find that creams can help ease sciatica pain. However, it is important to note that these creams are not curative and will only temporarily mask the pain.

In , scientists carried out a review of creams to help relieve nerve pain such as sciatica. They found that there was not enough evidence to be sure that they worked. Staying active is also very important and can help ease the inflammation that can cause sciatica pain.

Typically, physiotherapists also recommend that people with sciatica try to do exercises that increase core strength , improve the mobility of the hips and spine, and maintain or improve flexibility in the lower body. This means that the person can move their joints beyond the typical range of movement.

It is also very important never to exercise or stretch to the point that it makes the sciatica pain worse. Learn more about CBD and sciatica here. In most cases, sciatica will go away on its own within several weeks.