Sciatic Pain Treatment Options
Treatment of sciatic nerve pain usually includes a combination of over-the-counter medications and home care. For about 80 to 90 percent of those with acute sciatica, symptoms resolve themselves within several weeks, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons .
Chronic sciatica is a life-long condition, and doctors might suggest more aggressive treatment. Although the pain with chronic sciatica is usually milder, it might require treatment during flare-ups. There are several treatment options, including home care, medications, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and surgery. Several conditions that can cause sciatica improve with surgery, such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and a tumor on the spine. However, surgery is generally a last resort, according to John Hopkins Medicine.
Is Heat Or Cold Better For Sciatica Pain
For acute episodes, cold packs or ice can reduce inflammation, alleviating some of the pain. Cold packs are best applied for the first two to seven days of an acute episode, according to Spine-Health.com. Once the acute pain has subsided, heat packs can be used to increase the flow of oxygen to the area.
Oral Medications May Reduce Inflammation
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen and naproxen help reduce inflammation in the body, providing pain-relieving effects.1,2 If the OTC dosage does not improve your sciatica symptoms, check with your doctor if a prescription-strength is suitable for you.
NSAIDs are typically not recommended for patients with underlying medical conditions, such as chronic kidney disease.3 These drugs are known to irritate the tissues in the stomach, so they are always advised to be taken with food.
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What Do Muscle Relaxers Do When To Use Muscle Relaxers For Neck Pain
Authored by Olivier George, Ph.D.
Muscle relaxers are medications that are known to be effective for neck pain and back pain. But they are also effective for anxiety, skeep, sciatica, menstrual cramps, headaches, and fibromyalgia. In this article, learn more on what muscle relaxers do, how to use muscle relaxant medication for various health issues, and adverse reactions associated with them.
How Long Should I Try Self
Every person with sciatic pain is different. The type of pain can be different, the intensity of pain is different and the cause of the pain can be different. In some patients, a more aggressive treatment may be tried first. However, generally speaking, if a six-week trial of conservative, self-care treatments like ice, heat, stretching, over-the-counter medicines has not provided relief, its time to return to a healthcare professional and try other treatment options.
Other treatment options include:
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What Is The Best Pain Killer For Sciatica
Each person reacts differently to medications, so there isn’t one “best pain killer.” For acute episodes, many people find over-the-counter NSAIDs relieve the pain. For chronic sciatica, some find tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants are the best options. It may take some time to find the best treatment for you.
What Information I Found About Sciatica
While looking for a cure to sciatica I was constantly faced with the same regurgitated information. Most of which said things like youll be ok, its just a few weeks deal and everything will go back to normal. Yeah right! As soon as I would read that off I went to the next website of the same quality. I slowly started to get something I like to call information frustration. Why cant I just find someones experience? Just let me know how it happened, how you got there, what you did, what worked, what didnt!? I swore the minute I got out of this pain if ever, Id do something about getting information to other sufferers.
Here’s a quote from the Mayo Clinic: Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg. Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases resolve with non-operative treatments in a few weeks.
Ya see what I mean?
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Take Muscle Relaxers With Caution
Muscle relaxers are generally prescribed for a short time, as it can be addictive for some people.Another reason why they are not a good option is because they are sedative and make one feel tired. But how long does it take for muscle relaxers to kick in? Some muscle relaxers start working within 30 minutes of taking them, and their effects can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.However, to manage the risks associated with muscle relaxants, consider professional medical treatment for effective results. It is recommended to take them before one sleeps, especially if an individual has never used them before.
So, whether someone is suffering from back pain or is dealing with the medical condition that can cause muscle spasms, it is best to seek rehabilitation program or consult an expert physician.
Muscle Relaxants Are Typically A Second
Scientific evidence and medical consensus indicate that back pain must be treated first with pain-relieving medications, such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . If these treatments fail, doctors may prescribe skeletal muscle relaxants for a short duration.1,2 Examples of prescription skeletal muscle relaxants include cyclobenzaprine and carisoprodol.
Research isnt very robust on the use of muscle relaxants for back pain. The use of these drugs may also be considered controversial by some physicians.1
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Peppermint And Essential Oils
Peppermint is also a natural muscle relaxer. It is useful in the treatment of sore muscles. It is a natural muscle relaxer for back pain.
Peppermint is a natural painkiller. This essential oil also serves as one of the essential oils for muscle aches. Dilute it in a carrier oil and apply in the affected area.
Other essential oils for muscle aches include lemongrass essential oil. It improves blood circulation. Frankincense and cypress essential oils reduce inflammation. They are essential oils for muscle pain.
Never Ignore Sciatic Nerve Pain
I didnt know what it was, of course now we know it was sciatica, but at that time I felt little symptoms just creeping up slowly from the tailbone to the buttocks, later on to the back of the thigh, later on to my knee, my calf down to my ankle, and then finally to the big toe.Never, never, never ignore sciatic nerve symptoms. Itll just keep crawling down your leg all the way down to your toe like it did to me.I never knew what was going to hit me and it was bad.
Some other symptoms came to light were that I was having problems with actually going to the bathroom, bowel movement issues. Of course, I had the foot pain, I had the toe pain, leg pain, and I even had groin pain. When its getting that bad you need to seek help, this is not going go away on its own, you need to be proactive.
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Are Restless Leg Syndrome Multiple Sclerosis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Plantar Fasciitis Shingles Or Bursitis Related To Sciatica
While all these conditions affect either the spinal cord, nerves, muscles, ligaments or joints and all can cause pain, none are directly related to sciatica. The main causes of these conditions are different. Sciatica only involves the sciatic nerve. That being said, the most similar condition would be carpal tunnel syndrome, which also involves a compression of a nerve.
A final word about sciatica. . . .
Most cases of sciatica do not require surgery. Time and self-care treatment are usually all thats needed. However, if simple self-care treatments do not relieve your pain, see your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can confirm the cause of your pain, suggest other treatment options and/or refer you to other spine health specialists if needed.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 03/25/2020.
References
And Some Excellent Alternatives
It may seem like a no-brainer: You throw your back out, youre going to need some serious medication, right? But research is suggesting that this old guard method might be a dead end when it comes to actually healing back pain and preventing it from returning.
Read on to learn why muscle relaxers may not be your best choice, and for some simple steps you can take instead.
Weve all felt it that all too familiar tweak or spasm in the back, usually resulting from a seemingly benign movement like stooping to tie your shoe or twisting a little as you reached behind you.
You bend and suddenly OUCH. You are hit with a flash of pain that can really knock you out.
This is what I like to call a WTF Injury. Theres no planning for it, and its often hard to even understand what exactly went wrong.
This familiar, flexion-related back pain is so common that an estimated 8 out of 10 people experience it at some point . Eighty percent of us have felt that sudden and disconcerting jerk or pulling along the back of body.
The back can be an area of weakness for many of us something I address in my Bulletproof Back program. And by improperly engaging key stabilizer muscles throughout our daily lives and daily workouts, we can contribute to making this his key and sensitive area more prone to injury and pain.
But, while the pain is oh so real, it is usually not helpful to run to prescription medication like muscle relaxers.
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Ways To Ease The Pain Of Sciatica
Sciatica is a common ailment, affecting as many as 40 percent of Americans at some point during their lives.
The source of the problem is the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, down through the hips and legs. Trouble arises when something starts pinching that nerveusually a herniated disc, a bone spur, or spinal stenosis .
Symptoms of sciatica
Sciatic pain varies in different people, ranging from a mild ache to sharp, intense pain or a burning sensation. Most people will feel the pain primarily in one hip and/or one leg. Some describe it as an agony akin to toothache pain. Sometimes patients will feel numbness, weakness, or tingling on top of the pain.
8 strategies to stop the pain
A flare-up of sciatica usually resolves itself within a few weeks. These eight options will help most people cope with the pain.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers. Acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen can sometimes make the pain go away.
- Ice and heat. Heating pads or ice packs can take the edge off the pain for many people.
- Physical therapy. A physical therapist can show you how to properly do stretching and strengthening exercises and improve your posture to help prevent a recurrence of sciatica.
- Movement. Although you may not feel like getting up, prolonged bedrest is not recommended. Exercise can help reduce inflammation, easing your discomfort. Walking or swimming are good options.
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Abuse And Serious Risks Are Possible
Muscle relaxants can be addictive, so it’s ideal to use them for the shortest possible time and keep them away from other adults and children. Because these medications depress the central nervous system, breathing can be affected, and an overdose can be fatal.
Combining a muscle relaxant with alcohol or another medication that also has a sedating effect is especially dangerous.
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Special Considerations And Potential Muscle Relaxant Side Effects
Muscle relaxants for acute back or neck pain are usually prescribed to relieve short-term muscle painand some can be habit-forming. For these reasons, most doctors will write prescriptions with less than 2 weeks worth of medication. To reduce your risk of dependency or abuse, use your medication exactly as your doctor prescribes.
The most common side effects associated with muscle relaxants are drowsiness and dizziness. This is because muscle relaxants depress your central nervous system, making you less alert and attentive. As such, avoid alcohol and dont perform tasks that require your complete attention, such as operating machinery or driving, while taking a muscle relaxant.
Muscle relaxants pose health risks when they are taken with certain medications and supplements, including opioids, sleep aid medications, and St. Johns wort. Make sure your doctor knows every medication and supplement you are taking before starting muscle relaxant therapy.
Sciatica: Why I Didnt Notice It Happening And Never Sought Treatment
Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief (Releasing Tight Piriformis)For years I had back issues. I had a car accident and the doctor told me I would have pain for the rest of my life. So I thought it was related to that and just let things go and did nothing about it. But that was a serious mistake. I shouldve started researching my symptoms at that time. But as you well know life gets in the way as I mentioned in my last article and you just forget the pain or even push through the pain, I just dealt with it. But slowly it just started getting worse, it was a different type of pain.
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What Does Sciatica Pain Feel Like
People describe sciatica pain in different ways, depending on its cause. Some people describe the pain as sharp, shooting, or jolts of pain. Others describe this pain as burning, “electric or stabbing.
The pain may be constant or may come and go. Also, the pain is usually more severe in your leg compared to your lower back. The pain may feel worse if you sit or stand for long periods of time, when you stand up and when your twist your upper body. A forced and sudden body movement, like a cough or sneeze, can also make the pain worse.
Things To Know About Muscle Relaxants
When you have back pain, your doctor may recommend muscle relaxantsa group of drugs that are typically obtained with a doctors prescription. These drugs have the potential to decrease tension and spasm within a sore muscle, which may reduce pain.
Here are 6 important facts that you must know if you plan to take muscle relaxants for back pain:
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What Can I Expect If I Have Been Diagnosed With Sciatica
The good news about sciatic pain is that it usually goes away on its own with time and some self-care treatments. Most people with sciatica get better without surgery, and about half of these recover from an episode fully within six weeks.
Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if your sciatica pain is not improving and you have concerns that you arent recovering as quickly as hoped.
Is Tizanidine Bad For Your Kidneys
I have read a lot about many different medications and I noticed one common theme: long term use can cause several problems. Of course, please do your due diligence and consult your doctor for your specific case.
Im terrified of medications. I was never one to go running to the medicine cabinet for any little ache or pain. I used to just take it. But reality hit me when I got sciatica, everything had to change but took this took many months of pain and suffering to find the right combination to get a little bit of relief.
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Is The Weight Of Pregnancy The Reason Why So Many Pregnant Women Get Sciatica
Its true that sciatica is common in pregnancy but increased weight is not the main reason why pregnant women get sciatica. A better explanation is that certain hormones of pregnancy cause a loosening of their ligaments. Ligaments hold the vertebrae together, protect the disks and keep the spine stable. Loosened ligaments can cause the spine to become unstable and might cause disks to slip, which leads to nerves being pinched and the development of sciatica. The babys weight and position can also add pressure to the nerve.
The good news is there are ways to ease sciatic pain during pregnancy, and the pain goes away after birth. Physical therapy and massage therapy, warm showers, heat, medications and other measures can help. If you are pregnant, be sure to follow good posture techniques during pregnancy to also ease your pain.
Do You Know Sciatica Pain Is Not Helped By Medication
Are you suffering with sciatica pain? Sciatica is pain that goes down your leg. You might feel it starting from the lower back. It can travel by the hip, into the thigh and all the way down the foot. It can present as pain, burning and even numbness and tingling.
The cause of the sciatica pain can be from the vertebra of the lumbar spine or pelvic region misaligned putting pressure on the nerve. You can also have bulging or degenerating discs putting pressure on the nerves. A highly overlooked cause is the piriformis muscle impinging the nerve.
The pain can be extremely uncomfortable leading patients to contact their doctors. The medical doctors prescribe a myriad of drugs from pain relievers, muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatories. BUT its important that you know that studies show drugs are ineffective in treatment of sciatica pain.
The British Medical Journal article: Drugs for relief of pain in patients with sciatica: systematic review and meta-analysisreviews 23 previous studies on medical treatment of sciatica. Researches conclude that none of the drugs in the study were any more effective than a placebo in relieving sciatica pain.
Our treatments remove the cause rather than masking symptoms. This eliminates the risks you take with drugs. If you suffer with sciatica pain and live in central NJ ! You will finally start to feel better and enjoy life once again.
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Injected / Intravenous Nsaids
Some NSAIDs, can be injected into the sciatic region, or given to patients intravenously , to provide fast acting, short term relief from the pain and inflammation.
NSAID injections are typically used in acute and extremely painful cases, especially when walking and lack of muscle control is a problem.
Ketorolac or meloxicam can be injected or given intravenously in hospitals, and may be given as follow-up tablets to reduce for severe inflammation and pain. Treatment is usually limited to five days.
In most countries, NSAID injections are only provided by hospitals, under observation, because of the high risk of severe side effects, which increase with longer term use.
Warning: patients with high blood pressure, heart problems, or kidney problems should not be given injected or intravenous NSAIDs.
In addition to all of the usual side effects caused by tablet-form NSAIDs, injected or intravenous NSAIDs can many serious complications:
- Water retention and severe swelling is common, as are skin rashes. Severebruising is also possible. Asthma patients may find fluid builds up in the lungs.
- Many people have reported hallucinations, tremors and convulsions.
- Stomach and digestion problems can be more severe than with tablet NSAIDs, with broken walls and intestinal bleeding reported.
- Kidneys are damaged more quickly and more severely than with other NSAIDs, with kidney failure being the worst case.
Risks Of Muscle Relaxants
Sciatica Pain Relief For Piriformis Syndrome – Stretches and ExercisesAll pharmaceutical products demonstrate significant health risks, both of documented and unknown varieties. Drugs are inherently bad for you and those which interfere with normal neuromuscular interactions almost always have significant side effects. Some of the more common collateral consequences of skeletal muscle relaxants include dryness in the mouth, incontinence, retention of urine, diarrhea, constipation, listlessness, malaise, fatigue and dizziness.
However, we are much more concerned with the normal effects of these drugs that are not considered side effects. These effects include damage to the blood and internal organs, with the liver being the most commonly affected tissue. Additionally, there is a very high risk for both physical and psychological addiction to these substances, often causing patients to increase their dosage or take the pills more often than they should, as well as for longer than deemed safe by accepted medical standards.
It should also be noted that muscle relaxants commonly interact with other drugs, as well as illicit substances and alcohol. In fact, mixing these chemicals together is known to produce injurious and often fatal outcomes.
Alternatives to Muscle Relaxants for Piriformis Syndrome
Meditation is highly effective for stopping some forms of muscle spasm using biofeedback and introspective mindbody exercises. Similarly pain coaching can teach patients how to minimize spasms through purely natural methods of mindbody interaction.
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When Is Surgery Considered
Spinal surgery is usually not recommended unless you have not improved with other treatment methods such as stretching and medication, your pain is worsening, you have severe weakness in the muscles in your lower extremities or you have lost bladder or bowel control.
How soon surgery would be considered depends on the cause of your sciatica. Surgery is typically considered within a year of ongoing symptoms. Pain that is severe and unrelenting and is preventing you from standing or working and youve been admitted to a hospital would require more aggressive treatment and a shorter timeline to surgery. Loss of bladder or bowel control could require emergency surgery if determined to be cauda equine syndrome.
The goal of spinal surgery for sciatic pain is to remove the pressure on the nerves that are being pinched and to make sure the spine is stable.
Surgical options to relieve sciatica include:
Microdiscectomy: This is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove fragments of a herniated disk that are pressing on a nerve.
- Laminectomy: In this procedure, the lamina that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve is removed.
Surgery And Physical Therapy
If symptoms persist, you can consult your physician for the possibility of surgery and physical therapy.
- Surgery: If symptoms persist despite trying several of the treatments listed above, a surgical procedure that reduces disc compression of the nerve may be recommended. Research has found modest, short-term improvement in leg pain and disability following this procedure.
- Physical therapy: After acute pain improves, consultation with a physical therapist is recommended. Your physical therapist can help you learn exercises and improve your posture to regain strength, relieve pain, and prevent further injury.
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Natural Ways To Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain
Ever wake up feeling agonizing pain all the way from your upper thighs to your feet? Do you deal with nagging lower back pain that spreads downward through your buttock and wont seem to quit no matter what you try? You could be dealing with sciatic nerve pain, also called sciatica, which causes painful throbbing in the lower back and limbs. The pain radiates down the body and can be a symptom of spinal stenosis. Its also closely related to piriformis syndrome since the piriformis muscle is near the sciatic nerve.
The problem all starts in the lower spine and can come and go, but one things usually certain when sciatic nerve pain rears its ugly head, youre dealing with a whole lot of discomfort that can quickly ruin your day. Given that the sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body, this makes sense.
The good news is there are remedies for back pain that treat sciatic nerve pain and improve spine health. What are these natural sciatica treatments, and what causes this debilitating lower-body pain? Lets investigate.
The Best Alternative To Muscle Relaxers: Exercise
While it may be tempting to just lie down and call it a day when back pain strikes, kicking your feet up for too long can actually make back pain much worse.
Studies have found that people who stay active when back pain strikes have better flexibility than those who took a week to rest , meaning that their muscles are less spastic and more relaxed.
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