How to Deal Effectively with Sciatica

Sciatica is often referred to as phantom pain. It can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain anywhere from the buttocks, down the leg and sometimes into the foot and toes. So what causes it and how can it best be treated?

The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in your body. Sciatica is most often caused by the entrapment of lumbar spinal nerve roots. In simple terms, the underlying problem is really in your back. It can be caused by several different problems including a trapped nerve, herniation of one or more discs, fractures, spinal tumours, narrowing of the spinal canal or infection. Typical symptoms include pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks, thigh, outer calf, foot or toes.

Sciatica often occurs in conjunction with lower back pain but frequently the sciatic pain is the main problem. Many people experience the sciatic pain predominantly when sitting down or lying in bed. Although the pain is felt in the leg and buttocks, the underlying area requiring treatment is in fact the lower back. So what are the best options for treatment? It really depends on the underlying cause. It is recommended that you consider having x-rays and/or an MRI scan done to identify the cause of the problem. Once you understand the causes, only then can you decide on the best treatment for the condition.

I endured chronic back pain and sciatica for several years and have tried most of the available treatments. It is worth trying lots of different things to find the one that works best for you. The worst of all options for me was attendance at a Back Pain Clinic in a local hospital where, after several surveys and examinations, I was told that the whole thing was a figment of my imagination. I am not sure how someone can be expected to get rid of chronic pain by thinking positive thoughts!

Back surgery is sometimes recommended but this should only be considered as a last resort. Once you have embarked on back surgery, there is no going back and frequently it may make the problem worse. This can put you into a spiral of more and more back surgeries trying to correct the results of earlier surgeries. Avoid the scalpel if you can.

Cold or heat packs on the lower back can give some relief. You might also consider FAR infrared belts which radiate the heat beyond the surface skin and deep into the underlying tissue. If the sciatica is only a short term problem for you, treatment with analgesics and NSAID’s can deliver relief. However they are not recommended for long term use because of their side effects. Some physicians recommend epidural steroid injections. They do not work in all cases but can give significant pain relief to some patients for a limited period of between one week and several months.

Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture also work well for managing the pain associated with sciatica. They are a useful pain management tool to be used to take the edge off the pain while you address the underlying need to build up the strength and flexibility of your back. I would recommend that you invest in an electro-acupuncture machine so that you can give yourself daily treatments at home. This can at least give you some control over your daily misery.

In the majority of cases, changes to posture combined with strengthening the back muscles, through frequent gentle exercise, can offer the best long term solution. Flexion exercises that stretch your spine can take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. Your local physiotherapist can offer you an exercise program that will gradually build up your back muscles. Yoga has worked particularly well for me. For now, thankfully, I am pain free.