Myths About Sciatica Treatment Options

Patients who have sciatica are best served by a treatment plan that is individualized based on the patient’s symptoms, diagnosis and response to various treatments.

The process of finding relief from low back pain and leg pain associated with sciatica can often require some trial and error. Some patients may find certain treatments more effective than others.

Patients with sciatica should not attempt to self-treat their condition without consulting a health professional. Establishing a correct diagnosis is the first step towards sciatica relief, as the sciatica treatment options and precautions are different for each diagnosis. A professional can also detect any serious problems early on and take action to prevent permanent damage or injury.

Truth: The Causes of Sciatica Must Be Treated on an Individualized Basis

Because of the many conditions that can compress nerve roots and cause sciatica, one patient’s treatment options may be very different than those of another.

A combination of treatment options is often the most effective course, and many patients will try some combination of the following treatment options:

• Physical therapy and chiropractic treatments can help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Alternating heat therapy and ice massage therapy can help to relieve acute pain from sciatica.
• Anti-inflammatory medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, i.e. ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors) or oral steroids may be used to help relieve inflammation.
• Epidural steroid injections can reduce inflammation around the nerve root and the associated low back pain.
• To help control the low back pain and leg pain while undergoing other nonsurgical treatments, patients may take pain medications.
• Surgery may also be considered as a treatment option, usually (but not always) following a course of conservative treatments.

It is important to note that what works for one patient may not work for another, even if they have the same back problems.

Truth: Sciatica Can Last for Much Longer, Depending on the Cause

Many cases of sciatica go away within a few weeks using conservative treatment methods. However, this is not the case for all patients. For some, sciatica can last much longer, even for several months. After back problems are diagnosed, the duration and intensity of treatment will need to be adjusted on a patient-by-patient basis.

Truth: Surgery May Be the Best Treatment Option for Some Patients

Patients should avoid having surgery too soon or too late. Although many patients hope to avoid surgery, for some, surgery might be the best (and quickest) option for pain relief.

If the conservative (non-surgical) treatments (such as exercise and physical therapy, chiropractic, injections, etc.) have not helped, the patient’s pain is severe, or if the patient has lost a significant amount of function, surgery may be considered as the most effective treatment.

Truth: Exercise Is Usually Critical to Help Heal the Problem Causing Sciatica

Some patients believe that staying in bed and avoiding physical activity is the best idea when sciatica occurs. For the initial flare up of sciatica, bed rest is usually fine for a day or two.

However, avoiding activity any longer can typically lead to a downward spiral where episodes of pain lead to inactivity, leading to more pain, and so on.

Without proper exercise, low back muscles become weak and deconditioned, leaving them less able to support the back and the spine.

Exercise also helps exchange nutrients within the spinal discs, keeping them healthy and preventing injury that can cause sciatica.Patients should develop a gentle exercise program that includes stretching, strengthening and low-impact aerobic exercise. Even after sciatica is relieved and other back problems have been treated, the exercise routine should be maintained to keep the back healthy and to help avoid future problems.

Before beginning an exercise program, patients should always consult a health professional. Once the cause of sciatica is diagnosed, the professional can advise the patient about which exercises will be most appropriate and which should be avoided.

Truth: It Is Best to Work With a Professional Before Self-Treating Sciatica

Patients with sciatica should not attempt to self-treat their condition without consulting a health professional. Establishing a correct diagnosis is the first step towards sciatica relief, as the sciatica treatment options and precautions are different for each diagnosis. A professional can also detect any serious problems early on and take action to prevent permanent damage or injury.

As described above, there are many myths about sciatica that patients often believe to be true. However, by gaining a clear understanding of their condition, patients will be better equipped to work with a spine specialist to determine the causes and the best course of treatment for sciatica. Combining his or her own knowledge with the expertise of a spine specialist is usually a patients’ best strategy for obtaining long term relief from sciatica.