Sciatica Pain Relief

By: Jennifer Henry

Sciatica refers to pain along a specific nerve - the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down through each leg.

It usually caused by a pinched nerve or a herniated, ruptured, or slipped disc that has shifted from it's normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the nerve root, which connects to the sciatic nerve.

The level of the pain varies with each person. It can range from infrequent and slightly irritating to constant and debilitating pain.

It normally affects the lower back and one leg. Typical "flare-ups" last anywhere from two weeks to a few months.

During these times, sufferers have several options for sciatica pain relief. Heat and ice packs often work to reduce pain and inflammation. They should be used in twenty minute intervals every couple of hours for optimum effect. Over-the-counter or prescription medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also bring sciatica pain relief.

Physical therapy and chiropractic care ease the painful symptoms of sciatica and work as correctives to prevent future recurrences of the condition by helping to strengthen and tone the lower back.

If pain persists for two to three months and the treatments you have tried have not worked, surgery may be the most effective solution. Sufferers and their doctors must choose between two surgical procedures performed to relieve the pain of sciatica.

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