While it is important to remain active following your initial resting period, be careful not to agitate your sciatic nerve. Avoid strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects, or sharply twisting your back.
Make sure to wrap your ice pack in a cloth or towel. Applying the ice directly to your skin may cause discomfort similar to a burn.
Make sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions for your heat source. While many patients report a preference for cold therapy during the beginning of sciatic pain, and heat during the later stages, this is by no means universal. If one or the other does not seem to be effective in reducing your pain, try alternating hot and cold therapies every two hours.
Laying flat on your back, lift up one knee until you can wrap your hands around the front of your knee or behind your knee or thigh, gripping it with interlocking fingers. Gently pull your knee towards your chest until you feel a gentle tugging in your butt and lower back. Hold for 20 seconds, being sure to breathe deeply. Slowly release your leg, allowing it to return to its starting position on the floor. Repeat the stretch up to three times, then stretch your other leg in the same way.
Numbness in one or both legs Pronounced weakness in one or both legs Sudden loss of control of the bladder or bowels or inability to urinate or have a bowel movement
Common causes include: herniated or slipped disc, piriformis syndrome, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Oral steroids, which provide powerful anti-inflammatory effects, reducing inflammation and irritation in the region surrounding the sciatic nerve. Muscle relaxants or narcotic pain medication to reduce pain.
For herniated discs (this is when the discs that cushion the important movements of the spine develop a weak area and the inner core pushes out), microdiscectomy may be performed. In this procedure, the piece of the herniated disc which is in contact with, and irritating, the nerve is removed. For lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the discs of the spine causing them to “pinch” the nerve), lumbar laminectomy may be recommended. This is a more serious surgery in which the disc is reshaped to allow the nerve to rest comfortably once again.
Therapeutic massage to relieve tension and inflammation Yoga classes, to promote core strength and flexibility Cognitive behavioral therapy to teach strategies for pain management Acupuncture, or other traditional therapeutic methods
