Sciatica usually gets better on its own. As long as you don’t make it worse, the majority of episodes of sciatica pain heal within a six to twelve weeks. However, if sciatica is something that flares up fairly regularly, then you need to make sure you don’t have an underlying condition that could make your sciatica worse over time.

For most sciatica sufferers, popular pain management techniques and regular exercise will suffice to remedy the situation. For others, when the pain is severe or does not get better on its own, a more structured pain management program (including specific physical therapy and exercise), and possibly surgery, may offer the best approach to finding pain relief and preventing or minimizing future flare-ups of sciatica.

There are a number of non-surgical treatment options available to help alleviate sciatic pain.

Heat/ice
For sciatica pain that comes on suddenly, heat and/or ice packs are easily attained and can help alleviate the leg pain, especially in the initial phase. Usually ice or heat is applied for approximately 20 minutes, and repeated every two hours. Some people get relief from the anti-inflammatory effects of the ice, while others prefer the effects of increased circulation with the heat. You may try either one or alternate between them.

Sciatica Pain Medications
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen), or oral steroids can be helpful in reducing the inflammation which is usually a contributing factor in sciatica. Other prescription medications such as oral steroids may also be helpful in relieving sciatica.

Epidural steroid injections for sciatica
If the sciatica pain is severe (and oral medications haven’t worked), an epidural steroid injection can be performed to reduce the inflammation. An epidural injects steroids directly to the painful area around the sciatic nerve to help decrease the inflammation that may be causing the pain. This is typically not a long-term solution, as the effects tend to provide pain relief for as little as one week up to a year. It doesn’t work for everyone, but in severe cases of sciatica, it may be just enough to enable a patient to progress with a conditioning and exercise program.

Three of the more common forms of “alternative” treatments for sciatica include acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic manipulation.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture – the application of hair-thin needles inserted into the skin near the area of pain - has been approved by the U.S. FDA as a treatment for back pain, and the National Institutes of Health have recognized acupuncture as effective in relieving back pain, including sciatica.

Massage therapy
Massage therapy has been shown to have a number of benefits for back pain, including increased blood circulation, muscle relaxation, and release of endorphins (the body’s natural pain relievers). Although sciatic pain is typically felt in the legs, the area of focus for the masseuse or physical therapist is typically the hips and buttocks – because crowded nerves originate in this area.

Manual manipulation
Focused on providing better spinal column alignment, spinal adjustments and manual manipulation performed by appropriately trained health professionals (e.g. chiropractors, osteopathic physicians, physical therapists) could help to address a number of underlying conditions that can cause sciatic nerve pain.

Physical therapy and exercise
Inactivity for longer than a few days can actually make sciatic pain worse. Stretching exercises for sciatica target muscles that cause pain when they are tight and inflexible. Other sciatica exercises focus on strengthening the abdominal and back muscles in order to give more support for the back. When patients partake in regular strengthening and stretching exercises, they can recover more quickly from a flare up of sciatica and help prevent future episodes of pain.

Additionally, low impact aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming (or pool therapy) is also part of recovery, because aerobic activity promotes circulation and can even reduce pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers.

It is always advisable to have a qualified medical professional oversee any sciatica treatments. But it’s good to know that there are many choices among non-surgical spine care professionals who specialize in treating sciatica symptoms, including chiropractors, physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists), pain medicine specialists, and physical therapists, all of whom have specialized training to provide pain relief and to help prevent future recurrences of sciatica.

Sciatica Caused by Back Stress ¦ Sciatica Back Pain ¦ Sciatica Symptoms ¦ Sciatica Prevention ¦ Sciatica Treatment