Living with Sciatica: Managing Pain and Finding Relief

People who live with constant pain do not have it easy. Every day, they struggle to remain sane with all that suffering so if they were to find some ways to manage the pain and find relief that would be tremendous. Thankfully, there are many methods to get some relief, and we will discuss some of them in the text below.

When to see a doctor?

If you have been suffering pain for a few weeks and you have tried your best to treat yourself by resting and exercising, then it will be best to visit a doctor so that you are sure of what you are dealing with. The doctor will lay out a plan on how to deal with the condition depending on your state and it will be best if you do what they tell you because things can quickly go out of hand.

Physical therapy

One great way you can deal with the pain is to try therapy. Many experts out there know what it takes to relieve the pain you are feeling to some extent. Techniques such as spinal manipulation, massages, and other methods are known to reduce the tension that builds up between muscles. You can check out Pursuit Physical Therapy, for instance, where experts can help you strengthen the muscles in your body, especially the ones that support the spine which will help you deal with the pain. Also, these experts will teach you how to properly walk, sit, and do everyday activities so that you reduce the strain on your back and help yourself out. Physical therapy needs dedication and you need to try your best and listen to what the expert has to say if you want to see the fruits of this method of dealing with sciatica.

Medication

When someone wants to treat sciatica using medication, they will have to use a wide variety of drugs together—pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and many others to see the best effects. For treating mild to moderate pain, people use acetaminophen. For pain relief and reducing inflammation, you can use ibuprofen and naproxen. For people who suffer from severe pain, doctors would prescribe diclofenac or celecoxib. Cyclobenzaprine is used for muscle relaxation. Gabapentin and pregabalin are used for treating nerve pain, which is linked with Sciatica. If the person who suffers from Sciatica does not respond to the regular treatment, the expert may give them something much stronger to alleviate the pain they are feeling.

You can help yourself

What many people do when they feel any pain is that they immediately go to a doctor and seek medical help, which is usually pain medication or some other treatment. This is not a bad idea but what we would suggest is that you try and help yourself first. You should take short breaks throughout the day because that way, you can deal with the pain you are feeling. Try to put cold packs on your back a few times during the day. You can do that while resting so that you do not lose too much time. Go for walks in nature, and exercise if you can. All of these things should be done every day, even if you do not feel any pain, because they can help prevent problems with your body and make it stronger. If the pain that you are feeling is already too severe, you should not go with this method but rather go immediately to a hospital and try a different treatment. The more you try to endure the pain, the harder it will be later to do something about it. So be smart and act while you are still able to.

Alternative therapies

There are many alternative therapies that you can go for if you have tried everything else and do not see any other way out. Acupuncture is a treatment when needles are inserted into your body. This can help your body release endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers and that would alleviate the pain you are feeling. Some people would suggest you try out some herbal medicine when it comes to dealing with pain. Herbal medicine has been used for centuries as a way to deal with the problems we face when it comes to our bodies. Turmeric, willow bark, and devil’s claw have anti-inflammatory properties which reduce pain and inflammation. 

Microdiscectomy

This surgical treatment is done when the soft material of a spinal disc penetrates through the outer layer and puts pressure on nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve. If physical therapy, medications, and other treatments fail to treat the Sciatica, then the doctor may recommend someone do a microdiscectomy. This way, the doctor will directly treat sciatica by removing the part of the disc that is protruding and putting pressure on your nerves. This treatment is done by making a small incision that will allow you to recover quickly and won’t damage the surrounding tissue too much. What is best about this treatment is that it has a great success rate when it is used to treat Sciatica.

Laminectomy

Laminectomy is another surgical way to deal with Sciatica. This procedure involves the removal of a lamina, which is the bony arch part of the vertebrae. While this procedure is usually done to treat spinal stenosis, in some cases it can also be done to treat Sciatica. Spinal stenosis occurs when there is a narrowing in the spinal canal where the spinal nerves pass. This narrowing can pressure nerves and cause pain. By removing a part of the lamina, a surgeon will alleviate the pressure caused by the narrowing, which allows the nerves to function properly and then there is no pain. Laminectomy can also help when it comes to disc herniation. This treatment and any other surgical treatment should be done with the agreement of a specialist. 

Dealing with any condition requires dedication and finding the right treatment. You cannot lose hope and decide to suffer your whole life. Go and look for help wherever you can find it. Ultimately, you will find the solution that will change your life for the better.