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Sciatica begins when a herniated disk develops in the lower (lumbar) spine. The bones that form the spine remain cushioned and separated by round, flexible, and flat disks of connective tissues. As a disk starts getting worn down due to age or injury, the soft center starts to come out from that harder outer ring. A herniated disk puts a lot of pressure on the nerves surrounding it. And the pain is intense when it hits the sciatic nerve. So, before you book an online appointment for sciatic pain, read on to learn a few facts about managing it.
Get an online appointment to learn about medications for sciatic pain
A range of medicines are used for treating sciatic pain. Some of the common oral medicines used are:
- Over-the-counter pain-relieving medications like naproxen, ketoprofen, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin
- Prescribed muscle relaxants that help to ease out muscle spasms
- Prescribed pain medicines for really severe pain
- Antidepressants for intense lower back pain
Keep in mind that aspirin is not meant for children who are eighteen years or younger due to greater risks of developing Reye’s syndrome.
In many cases, steroids are injected in the area around your spinal nerve. However, experts suggest that such injections can only have a moderate impact when the irritation results from pressure by a ruptured or herniated disc.
Physical therapy suggested by the best neurologist in Pune
Sciatic pain might make it hard for you to be active. However, doctors usually do not recommend going for complete bed rest. When it comes to managing sciatic pain, certain activities and positions tend to feel more comfortable than others.
When the symptoms aren’t too severe but stay for more than a few weeks, the doctor might ask you to go for physical therapy. Proper exercises might help you in reducing sciatic pain. They also tend to offer conditioning that helps in preventing your pain from coming back.
The exercises that are recommended to you depend on the causes of sciatica. It is crucial to talk to an experienced specialist who has worked with sciatica patients before. Also, you need to do the exercises every day and exactly as mentioned. As such, you will probably get in touch with one of the given specialists in order to receive proper directions:
- Physiatrist (a specialist in administering physical medicine)
- Physical therapist
Alternative and complementary remedies to get pain relief from sciatica
Many people use alternative and complementary therapies like acupuncture and biofeedback to get pain relief. However, remember that the therapies are not backed by any scientific studies.
Biofeedback happens to be a technique that is useful in controlling bodily processes like muscle tension, blood pressure, and heart rate. It is all about utilizing a machine that offers information regarding the procedure being treated. With that information in hand, you might get to find methods to gain active control of the processes. In most cases, biofeedback is used to control stress-related issues.
Acupuncture is a treatment that utilizes fine needles pointed at particular parts of the skin known as acupuncture points. These points are placed along the channels or meridians. Such channels are able to carry out something called qi – the vital force or energy of your body. The idea behind the use of acupuncture is that the pain comes from the blockages or imbalances in the qi flow. Acupuncture removes these blockages and restores the balance.
Popular theory states that stimulation in these points creates an impact by the stimulation of your central nervous system. Naturally, this leads to a release of chemicals that tend to produce changes promoting a feeling of well-being or alter the sense of pain.
Surgical treatment of sciatica as per the best neurologist in Pune
Only a few people suffering from sciatica actually need surgery. You might be referred to an expert specialist when the pain continues to affect for at least six weeks even after treatment. Surgery is a viable option at this point. The aim of this surgery is to address the cause of the pain. For instance, if your herniated disc is pressurizing the nerve, surgery will correct the problem and offer pain relief.
When symptoms of sciatica become continuously worse or severe, you need to be referred to a specialist without further delay.
Endnote
Make sure you get in touch with a specialist to find a suitable cure for sciatica. It is not advisable to take any medication or undergo any therapy before consulting a specialist. So, book your appointment today.
