At some point in time, a significant number of people will experience irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower spine all the way down the back of each upper leg before branching out at the knee and going to the feet.
If you experience a shooting pain that goes down a thigh or buttock, it could be because some kind of pressure has been placed on the nerve or because it has been irritated. However, there are times when the pain is just a mild ache, a burning sensation, tingling or numbness. There are various chronic pain treatments to help ease sciatic pain.
Medication
Many people will turn to different kinds of medication when they experience irritation or pain associated with the sciatic nerve. Some common types of medication include:
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Over-the-counter painkillers
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Muscle relaxants for those experiencing spasms
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Prescription pain medication for acute pain
When the pain is the result of a ruptured disc, a steroid injection in the space around the spinal nerve may be suggested.
If the pain is chronic, however, the use of medication can be problematic. Use of prescription medication, for instance, can be a problem over long periods.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic experts frequently treat sciatic pain. The advantage of chiropractic treatment over painkillers is that the methods used encourage the body to heal itself. This treatment method is also non-invasive. There are different kinds of chiropractic therapy that can be used, and a treatment plan that combines several methods can be put together by a chiropractor. These methods include:
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Ice therapy – helps to reduce inflammation and reduce pain
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Ultrasound – creates gentle heat that penetrates deep into the tissues. It can help to reduce spasms, swelling, pain, etc.
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Adjustments – Spinal adjustments involves various manipulations of the spine that help to ease restrictions in the movement of the spine.
Surgery
In a few extreme cases, surgery might be a recommended course of treatment for treating sciatica. Surgery usually becomes an option if the pain persists for six weeks or more even after trying out various treatment options.
Surgery is usually intended to fix whatever caused sciatica in the first place. This might be a herniated disc that's applying pressure on the nerve. Surgery may also be recommended if the symptoms suddenly or gradually worsen.
Many people will hope to avoid surgery due to the inherent risks. Due to its invasive nature, there's a higher risk of something going wrong.
