Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsExercisePhysical TherapyHerbs and SupplementsAcupunctureMedicationsSurgery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Exercise
Physical Therapy
Herbs and Supplements
Acupuncture
Medications
Surgery
There are many options forsciaticapain relief, including exercises, physical therapy, natural remedies, and medications.
This article will detail the various ways of easing sciatica pain, from conservative care to more invasive interventions.
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What Is an Integrative Treatment Plan?Integrative medicine often combines Western-based interventions, such as medications or physical therapy, with complementary or alternative treatments, like acupuncture. The resulting treatment plan is much more focused on the overall health and wellness of the individual and less concerned with the disease process itself.The treatment options outlined in this article are part of an integrative treatment plan for sciatica pain relief.
What Is an Integrative Treatment Plan?
Integrative medicine often combines Western-based interventions, such as medications or physical therapy, with complementary or alternative treatments, like acupuncture. The resulting treatment plan is much more focused on the overall health and wellness of the individual and less concerned with the disease process itself.The treatment options outlined in this article are part of an integrative treatment plan for sciatica pain relief.
Integrative medicine often combines Western-based interventions, such as medications or physical therapy, with complementary or alternative treatments, like acupuncture. The resulting treatment plan is much more focused on the overall health and wellness of the individual and less concerned with the disease process itself.
The treatment options outlined in this article are part of an integrative treatment plan for sciatica pain relief.
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to alleviate the discomfort associated with sciatica. It is important, however, to choose the right type. This is becauseinappropriate sciatica exercisesmay cause your symptoms to worsen.
Severalstretchesmay help alleviate your low back’s nerve compression.
Techniques include:
Strengthening exercises can help activate the muscles in your hips and core:
These important structures support the lumbar spine and may provide sciatica nerve relief.
Is Bed Rest Ever Necessary for Sciatica Pain Reief?Even though it may seem practical, bed rest is rarely the best option for treating this condition.
Is Bed Rest Ever Necessary for Sciatica Pain Reief?
Even though it may seem practical, bed rest is rarely the best option for treating this condition.
Once you’re diagnosed with sciatica, you may also receive a physical therapy (PT) prescription. Physical therapists (PTs) are skilled in assessing your symptoms and creating a customized exercise program to help reduce thepain.
Accessing Physical TherapyWhile some states or insurance companies require a prescription for physical therapy, others allow you to access PT directly without needing a referral. Many physical therapy clinics also offer self-pay discounts that make accessing these services more affordable.
Accessing Physical Therapy
While some states or insurance companies require a prescription for physical therapy, others allow you to access PT directly without needing a referral. Many physical therapy clinics also offer self-pay discounts that make accessing these services more affordable.
One type of treatment—theMcKenzie technique—is particularly effective in people experiencing acute sciatic pain radiating into the leg.
Other manual techniques, like massage or spinal mobilizations, may also be performed. Finally, some PTs also utilizespinal tractionfor sciatica symptoms, though it is still questionable whether this is truly beneficial.
People who pursue an integrative treatment approach for their sciatica may wonder iftaking herbs or supplementsis helpful. In fact, some initial studies have shown that properties from herbs like cannabis, namely (tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), can provide meaningful nerve pain relief in people with other diseases, like multiple sclerosis and cancer.
In addition, some animal experiments have shown supplements like ginkgo and saffron help reduce nerve pain.Unfortunately, these studies are still experimental, and no scientific conclusions have been drawn.
It is also worth noting that THC and CBD are not legal to obtain in all states. At this point, there is minimal evidence to support using this type of treatment for sciatica pain.
One other type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment that may benefit your sciatica isacupuncture. This Eastern medicine intervention involves inserting fine needles into trigger points on the body to alleviate your symptoms.
One review of research found that this natural sciatica treatment was effective in reducing the intensity of pain in people suffering from sciatica.
There is still some question about the best medicine for sciatica pain. Over-the-counternonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)are a common first-line treatment and include:
Other oral medications may also be recommended, such as:
However, the benefits of these drugs for sciatica-related pain have yet to be proven.
There is some evidence showing that Neurontin (gabapentin) can lead to meaningful reductions in sciatica pain. Additionally,epidural injectionswith steroids may also bring short-term relief, though there is doubt about the long-term benefits of this intervention.
People who don’t respond to conservative treatments may needlow-back surgeryto address their sciatica pain.
They are usually only considered if you’ve had persistent sciatica symptoms and have tried nonsurgical treatment for several months with no relief.
Tips for Easing Sciatica Pain Safely
If you are experiencing sciatica-related symptoms in your low back or leg, try these tips to help with the discomfort:
Summary
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hospital for Special Surgery.Stretches and exercises to ease sciatica pain, from a PT.Berry JA, Elia C, Saini HS, Miulli DE.A review of lumbar radiculopathy, diagnosis, and treatment.Cureus. Published online October 17, 2019. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5934Stephenson A, Kelsberg G, Neher JO, Anna LS.Treatments for sciatica.AFP. 2015;91(9):612-615.Forouzanfar F, hosseinzadeh H.Medicinal herbs in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a review.Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2018;21(4). doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2018.24026.6021Ji M, Wang X, Chen M, Shen Y, Zhang X, Yang J.The efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica:a systematic review and meta-analysis.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2015;2015:1-12. doi:10.1155/2015/192808American Academy of Orhthopaedic Surgeons.Sciatica.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hospital for Special Surgery.Stretches and exercises to ease sciatica pain, from a PT.Berry JA, Elia C, Saini HS, Miulli DE.A review of lumbar radiculopathy, diagnosis, and treatment.Cureus. Published online October 17, 2019. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5934Stephenson A, Kelsberg G, Neher JO, Anna LS.Treatments for sciatica.AFP. 2015;91(9):612-615.Forouzanfar F, hosseinzadeh H.Medicinal herbs in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a review.Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2018;21(4). doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2018.24026.6021Ji M, Wang X, Chen M, Shen Y, Zhang X, Yang J.The efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica:a systematic review and meta-analysis.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2015;2015:1-12. doi:10.1155/2015/192808American Academy of Orhthopaedic Surgeons.Sciatica.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hospital for Special Surgery.Stretches and exercises to ease sciatica pain, from a PT.Berry JA, Elia C, Saini HS, Miulli DE.A review of lumbar radiculopathy, diagnosis, and treatment.Cureus. Published online October 17, 2019. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5934Stephenson A, Kelsberg G, Neher JO, Anna LS.Treatments for sciatica.AFP. 2015;91(9):612-615.Forouzanfar F, hosseinzadeh H.Medicinal herbs in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a review.Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2018;21(4). doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2018.24026.6021Ji M, Wang X, Chen M, Shen Y, Zhang X, Yang J.The efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica:a systematic review and meta-analysis.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2015;2015:1-12. doi:10.1155/2015/192808American Academy of Orhthopaedic Surgeons.Sciatica.
Hospital for Special Surgery.Stretches and exercises to ease sciatica pain, from a PT.
Berry JA, Elia C, Saini HS, Miulli DE.A review of lumbar radiculopathy, diagnosis, and treatment.Cureus. Published online October 17, 2019. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5934
Stephenson A, Kelsberg G, Neher JO, Anna LS.Treatments for sciatica.AFP. 2015;91(9):612-615.
Forouzanfar F, hosseinzadeh H.Medicinal herbs in the treatment of neuropathic pain: a review.Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2018;21(4). doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2018.24026.6021
Ji M, Wang X, Chen M, Shen Y, Zhang X, Yang J.The efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of sciatica:a systematic review and meta-analysis.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2015;2015:1-12. doi:10.1155/2015/192808
American Academy of Orhthopaedic Surgeons.Sciatica.
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