How to Remedy Sciatica and Prevent it From Returning

Sometimes sciatica goes away on its own. Unfortunately, there are times when the pain is so chronic or severe that this condition requires treatment. Sciatica pain can be mild, dull, sharp, or radiating.

You may experience problems walking, muscle weakness, leg numbness, or burning sensations.

Most sciatica cases resolve on their own in time. A small number of our patients require surgery to fix this chronic condition, but there are other, noninvasive treatment plans that help with sciatica pain.

To help with pain management, our skilled team of experts at Florida Medical Pain Management offers compassionate care and customized treatment plans for chronic pain. We work hard to ensure your comfort and relief when you’re dealing with sciatica pain.

Here’s more about what sciatica is and what you can do to fix or prevent it.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica usually affects only one side of the body. It begins when a bone spur on the spine or herniated disc compresses part of your sciatic nerve. This triggers inflammation, pain, and even numbness or tingling in one leg down to your calf.

The severity of symptoms can range from mild dull aching to excruciating pain or burning sensations. For some patients, pain shoots up or down their body like an electric shock. Other people dealing with this condition may experience only slightly irritating, dull throbbing.

Whatever symptoms you develop may worsen when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or sit in one place for a long time.

How can I stop sciatica pain?

For many people, symptoms of sciatica decrease without surgical treatment within several weeks. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, our doctors at Florida Medical Pain Management may recommend:

• Rest
• Heat
• Ice therapy
• Physical therapy
• Stretching exercises
• Steroid injections
• Oral medications, like muscle relaxants, antidepressants, or anti-inflammatory medications

When other treatments fail to help, it may be time to consider surgery, which is a valuable option for many struggling with pain. Surgery is typically needed when a compressed nerve causes serious issues that disrupt your daily life, such as:

• Major weakness that doesn’t go away
• A loss of bladder or bowel control
• Other chronic, severe symptoms

During surgical treatment for sciatica, surgeons typically remove part of the herniated disc or bone spur that’s causing pain.

How can I prevent sciatica?

Unfortunately, sciatica is unpredictable and not always preventable. For instance, there isn’t much you can do to prevent symptoms caused by pregnancy-related back strain, degenerative disc disease, or accidents like falling.

To reduce your risk of a recurrence, consider these steps:

• Limit or quit smoking, which may contribute to speedier disc degeneration
• Avoid sitting for long periods without a break
• Exercise every day to keep your abdominal and back muscles active and strong

Do you think you might be experiencing sciatica pain? With offices in Spring Hill, New Port Richey, and St. Petersburg, Florida, we have a team of specialists near you. Don’t wait for help with chronic pain. Call us today or request an appointment online.