When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I was going to do. After the devastation subsided, I decided to take a very standard, western approach to my healing. Although initial efforts were successful, my cancer recurred a few months later. I endured many additional months of treatment before I started focusing on myself. I decided it was time to incorporate complimentary alternative treatments into my healing regimen, including massage therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how much it changed my life. My healing became a process, instead of something I simply had to endure. I hope that the articles on my website can inspire you to stay open-minded about your own healthcare.
Sciatica is a condition that can cause a person immense amounts of pain and discomfort. This back condition involves the sciatic nerve, which is located in the lower back and runs down the leg. The pain, therefore, can occur in the back, leg, or both. When you receive a diagnosis of sciatica, you may find yourself wondering what you can and should do about the situation. There are numerous treatment options available to help with sciatica. Learn more about some of these treatment options. Then, you can be sure you get the right treatment for you and your needs.
Medications
Many doctors will prescribe medications for sciatica. These medications are meant for pain and symptom management and do not necessarily "cure" sciatica. Anti-inflammatory medications (both steroidal and non-steroidal) are options to help reduce the inflammation around the sciatic nerve. Nerve pain medications are also available.
The idea behind prescribing medications is to provide short-term relief for the pain and discomfort of sciatica so that the person can do other treatments to help resolve the condition. In other words, medications are a temporary crutch rather than a long-term solution when it comes to sciatica.
Physical Therapy
While medications can help manage the pain of sciatica, they cannot resolve the condition on their own. This is where physical therapy comes into play. Physical therapy is a vital component of treating sciatica and is usually the main treatment option because it is so highly effective.
Most of the time, doctors will prescribe both physical therapy and medications to improve a person's condition faster. Physical therapy is effective at reducing current symptoms and can even help to prevent flare-ups and the like in the future.
In physical therapy, you will learn exercises and stretches to help strengthen muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve (to better support the area) as well as exercises to improve flexibility in those muscles. Your physical therapist will also use massage and other manual techniques to help relieve pressure and pain and improve your symptoms.
The best thing about physical therapy for sciatica is that you can use the exercises and stretching techniques you learn in the process at home in the future if you ever have a flare-up again. This can help to reduce the severity of the flare-up and may prevent you from having to seek treatment a second time.
Knowing what to expect from sciatica treatment, you can go forward feeling informed and confident. Schedule your first physical therapy appointment as soon as possible to get the ball rolling.
Share1 September 2020
