Sciatica is a type of nerve pain that develops when the sciatic nerve (the longest and thickest nerve) is either injured or irritated. There are two sciatic nerves – one on the left side and the other on the right side. When affected, the patients can experience pain, tingling, and numbness radiating from the lower back to the knee. Read on to learn more about the diagnosis, treatments, and remedies associated with sciatica pain relief.

How is sciatica diagnosed?
At first, most healthcare providers may suggest a physical examination to analyze the severity of the situation. This is done by checking reflexes and muscle strength. So, during the examination, the patient can be asked to walk on their heels or toes, lift the legs (one at a time), and try to raise the body from a squatting position. In cases where the patient has sciatica, the pain can become increasingly worse when doing the above movements. Then, depending on the severity of the pain, one can be advised further diagnostic tests, such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and Electromyography (EMG).

How is sciatica treated?
Severe sciatic pain can hinder daily activities and movement, and one can opt for conservative treatment to counter the pain and discomfort. But, it is crucial to always seek these treatment alternatives with the guidance of a certified health professional. Here are some treatments one can explore:

Physical therapy
Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments that can aid in sciatica pain relief. Here, the goal of the patient and the doctor is to try and find specific exercise movements that decrease the pressure on the sciatic nerve, thus reducing the pain. Some of the low-impact exercises suggested for sciatica patients are water aerobics and swimming. These help by reducing pressure on the nerves. Plus, exercise helps strengthen the surrounding muscles without aggravating the pain.

Spinal injections
In cases where physical therapy does not prove useful, one can try injections for short-term sciatica pain relief. However, this form of treatment can prove beneficial only for a period of three months and must be given around the affected nerve’s root to work effectively. As this treatment alternative is short-term, one can choose to go in for these injections as per their doctor’s recommendations.

Alternative therapies
Besides physical therapy, one can opt for increasingly popular alternative therapies like yoga, spine adjustments, acupuncture, and biofeedback. Additionally, if interested, patients can go for massage therapy to aid in reducing muscle spasms and pain that can develop with sciatica.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
In CBT, healthcare professionals work with patients to train them to react differently to the pain associated with sciatica. This means patients are guided and taught to change their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions related to the pain. This has proven to be effective in improving coping strategies and patients’ quality of life.

Surgery
Some sciatica patients can experience severe pain and discomfort which may not seem to respond to other forms of treatment. In cases such as these, one can look out for surgical options such as:

Lumbar laminectomy
Here, surgery helps widen the spinal cord in the lower back area and effectively reduces the pressure on the nerves.
Discectomy
In cases where the cause of the sciatic nerve is found to be a herniated disk, doctors may suggest either partial or complete removal of the disk to reduce the patient’s pain and discomfort.

What are the home remedies that can help with sciatica pain relief?
While one must immediately and urgently consult a healthcare provider in case of sciatica-related pain, depending on the cause, one can choose self-treatment or at-home remedies. However, this can work only in the case of mild sciatica. So, people with moderate to severe pain must seek professional care.

Some at-home treatments suggested for mild sciatica patients are:

Ice packs
Ice packs, also known as cold packs, may prove beneficial in reducing swelling and pain associated with sciatica. But one must wrap the pack in a towel before keeping it on the skin to reduce the chances of developing cold-related injuries. Further, one must strictly adhere to a duration of 20 minutes at a time.

Hot packs
After utilizing cold packs for a few days, patients can opt for heating pads or warm compress in the affected area. Here too, one must not cross the 20-minute mark. In cases where the pain still remains, one can alternatively use hot and cold packs depending on their comfort level.

Stretching
Most patients with mild sciatica can experience pain and discomfort in the lower back. So, to manage these issues, patients can seek the expertise of an instructor to learn about stretching techniques such as seated glute stretch, sitting spinal stretch, and more.