The Best Way To Treat Sciatic Nerve Pain

Pelvis Bone

Sciatic nerve pain is often the result of a pinched or irritated nerve. The sciatic nerve can be pinched by a herniated disc or can be crushed by a vertebra with a bone overgrowth. It is also common to experience sciatic nerve pain due to a bad posture or after an accident or injury.

Treating Mild Sciatic Nerve Pain At Home

If you experience pain in your hip or lower back, you can take over-the-counter medication such as Ibuprofen, Advil and similar products. Applying cold or hot packs to the affected area should help reduce the pain. Keep in mind that this is a temporary solution and that you should see a doctor to figure out what is causing sciatic nerve pain. Other effective treatments are available from the Natural Health Coach website.

Improving Your Posture

If you experience sciatic nerve pain due to a poor posture, try lightly stretching throughout your day. Try to hold the stretch for a few seconds. Be more mindful of your posture and sit in a chair that is more supportive if you spend most of your workday sitting at a desk. Losing weight can also help if you often experience pain in your lower back or hip.

What If You Are In Excruciating Pain?

You need to see a doctor as soon as possible if you experience serious pain. You need to schedule an appointment if you experience a loss of feeling in your leg, a tingling sensation or muscle weakness. You also need to see your doctor if you are losing bowel and bladder control besides experiencing pain in your lower back or hip.

What Will Your Doctor Do?

Your doctor will determine what is causing your sciatic nerve pain. Physical therapy can be a good treatment option if you have a pinched or irritated nerve due to an injury. Physical therapy will help with the pain and will prevent more injuries in the future. Your doctor will also probably prescribe pain medication or prescribe an anti-inflammatory if you have an irritated nerve.

Do You Need Surgery?

Surgery is the best way to treat sciatic nerve pain if your nerve is pinched by a disc that is severely herniated. Sciatica can sometimes be caused by a bone overgrowth on a vertebra, in which case surgery would be needed to remove the overgrowth. Your doctor might recommend that you try physical therapy before determining if surgery is needed or might recommend that you get some X-rays to determine what is causing your sciatica.

There are different treatment options for sciatic nerve pain. The most relevant sciatica treatment depends on how severe your pain is and on what is causing the nerve to be pinched or irritated. If you are experiencing pain in your lower back or hip, you should see your doctor to get a diagnosis. Your doctor will probably prescribe something to help with pain and inflammation and recommend a treatment option. You can also treat the pain at home with over-the-counter remedies and with hot and cold packs.