How to Decide on the Appropriate Sciatica Treatment

The diversity we portray in our appearance, personality, and characteristics are also evident in how we react to pain. People respond to various treatment methods in different ways according to the level of pain they are experiencing.

Although we define Sciatica in a blanket statement as pain caused by irritation or compression of the nerve, there are different levels of the pain. Patients describe their discomfort using an array of terms such as sharp pain, numbness, and weakness. Whichever word they use, the pain moves from the lower back, legs, and sometimes reaches the feet.

For some people, a day or two on a firm mattress or floor gives them the rest they need to resume their duties. This treatment is only valid for those experiencing low pain levels. The intensity of your pain will determine the type of treatment you get. Thus, you need to contact a medical professional so that they can gauge the aggressiveness of the Sciatica.

There are two types of treatments they might recommend. You could either get surgical or non-surgical treatment. Below is a discussion on what both entail:

Non-Surgical Treatment

There is a vast list of non-surgical undertakings that will help you with Sciatica. The treatment you get is based on the pain. For mild Sciatica, you could use;

• Heat therapy – it helps in relieving your muscles. It also gets rid of spasms which might be causing the irritation.
• Cold treatment – by placing cold pack son the swollen area, you numb the nerve, which reduces the intensity of your pain, it also brings down the swelling.
• Pain Medication – you can get over-the-counter pain relievers to help you deal with flare ups. Muscle relaxants are effective in dealing with the intense ones.

If the pain is more than these methods can treat, you might consider the following avenues:

• Getting an epidural steroid injection which will last you for a while. It reduces inflammation.
• Spinal manipulation – your medical practitioner will recommend a spinal specialist or chiropractor who will work to adjust your spinal and muscle structure. This relieves pressure and minimises your pain.
• Physical Exercise and Stretching – your body needs constant care. By exercising regularly and adapting stretches that are effective in correcting the sciatica nerve, you reduce the pain and align your muscles and structures. You also strengthen the muscles you work on and relieve the pressure that is causing irritation.

These methods are effective for Sciatica that is mild. When you fail to reduce the pain using non-surgical treatment procedures, it is time to consider the next option.

Surgical Treatment

One concern that people have on getting surgeries is the amount of time they need to recuperate fully. Two types of surgical treatments for Sciatica are available, one of which takes a short recovery time while the other takes a longer time.

• Microdiscectomy – this procedure is minimally invasive as it involves making a small incision and removing the irritant on the nerve. The surgery is effective, and the recovery is fast.
• Laminectomy – this is a more intrusive procedure. It involves the removal of part of your vertebra through a large incision. It will take you a significant amount of time to recover from the surgery.

All these treatments are designed for specific pain levels. Ensure that you consult a medical practitioner before you decide which one best suits your condition. Sciatica treatment by The Disc Doctor is the best and safest option that you have.