Permanent Treatment Options for Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition where a person feels pain along the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower hip, runs through the buttocks, and down each leg. Typically, sciatica only affects one side of the body. If you are suffering from sciatica, there are various treatment options, including over-the-counter medications and surgery. 

Sciatica is not a condition but an underlying cause of another health condition. You can often manage it at home, but some cases may require professional treatment. Keep reading to find out the different ways you can treat your Las Vegas sciatica. 

Treatment options for sciatica

Medications

Many over-the-counter medications can help treat sciatica. NSAIDs can help relieve the pain. However, be careful with the doses as these medications can have possible side effects such as drowsiness. 

Steroid injections

Steroid injections around the affected nerve area are used to reduce pain by suppressing inflammation. The goal of the injection is to provide sufficient relief so that you can return to your everyday activities and make progress in physical therapy. 

The effects of steroid injections wear off in a few months. Doctors do not recommend frequent injections of steroids in your body because of its many serious side effects. 

Surgery 

Surgery is often kept as a last resort. Doctors first recommend conservative ways to treat sciatica. However, if the pain does go away after 12 weeks of treatment at home, you may require surgery. 

The most common surgery to treat sciatica is microdiscectomy. In microdiscectomy, the surgeon removes damaged parts of the disc under the nerve root. Although it is an open surgery procedure, only minimal incisions are made on the body for minimal tissue damage. 

Can you cure sciatica permanently?

Sciatica usually cures on its own. However, some may require treatments to speed up the process. But, there are always chances of it coming back. To ensure your sciatica does not come back, you need to exercise regularly and take medications if your doctor recommends it. 

You can reduce the risk of sciatica coming back by taking the following steps: 

• Practice good posture while sitting, standing and sleeping, or lying down.
• Maintain a moderate weight. Being overweight can put pressure on your nerves.
• Be active. Avoid sitting or lying for long periods. 
• Smoking can cause disc problems. Therefore, discontinue it or try cutting it down.
• While lifting things, make sure your legs are bent and your back straight.
• Practice core strength exercises.

When to see a doctor of sciatica?

Sciatica typically gets better in four to six weeks. You can try home exercises, remedies, and medications in the meantime to relieve the pain. If the pain persists, your condition may be severe. You should consult a doctor when the other measures do not seem to work.