5 Tips For Sciatica Pain Relief

Pain from sciatica can be excruciating. At Branko PRPA M.D. Spine Surgery we’re equipped to help you with many kinds of spinal pain or spine-related injury.

While there are many kinds of spinal pain stemming from a variety of back conditions, one of the most common is sciatica. Fortunately there are a few ways to deal with this particular problem.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is pain in the lower back. It can occur when a herniated disk puts pressure on the nerves in your back, particularly the sciatic nerve. You could also develop sciatica due to spinal stenosis, which constricts the nerves. Other common causes include degenerative disc disease and isthmic spondylolisthesis, a lumbar spinal issue.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, which is one reason why sciatica can be easy to spot. Since the nerve runs from your lower back down to your hips, legs, and feet, pain from sciatica will radiate down much of your lower body. Sciatica can cause severe pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation. Risk factors for developing this kind of pain include being overweight and lifting heavy objects. Another common cause is sitting too much. This can particularly be a problem for people who work in offices or other similar environments.

Ways To Alleviate Sciatica Pain

There are a few different ways to approach sciatica pain relief, ranging from pain relievers to surgeries for more severe cases.

1. Over-the-counter pain relievers can relieve pain in some cases, at least in the short term. Stronger medications, like anti-inflammatory medicines and muscle relaxants, could be prescribed by your doctor in more extreme cases.
2. Staying active can help relieve pain from sciatica. It may seem counter-intuitive, but resting can actually just exacerbate the problem. Moving around more can help the inflammation clear up quicker. Instead of staying on the couch, go for a short walk.
3. On that note, stretching can also help people dealing with sciatica. Many common yoga stretches or core exercises can help, but it’s important to know the underlying cause of your sciatica pain. Different stretches are more effective for sciatica caused by a herniated disc or sciatica from spinal stenosis, for example. Sometimes doctors will recommend physical therapy for lengthier cases of sciatica.
4. Heat and cold can also reduce pain. Depending on the severity of your sciatica, ice packs and heating pads can both provide some temporary relief.
5. Long-lasting pain may require a more advanced solution. In some cases, surgery might be needed. If you are suffering from sciatica and experience other symptoms, like numbness and severe pain or weakness, surgery might be the best option.

Fortunately Dr. Prpa has the skills and experience needed to help you deal with sciatica, regardless of severity. We’ll answer all of your questions and make sure that you have all of the information you need to make the best possible decision about your treatment. If your sciatica does require surgery, you know that you’re in good hands with Dr. Prpa. He’s performed thousands of spinal surgeries. We also offer minimally invasive surgical options that can get you back on your feet faster. Setup a consultation with Milwaukee’s top spine surgeon today!