Sciatica Pain Doctor in Paramus Talks 4 Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Low Back Pain

Changes in your daily activities

In many instances, sciatica pain can be alleviated with some minor adjustments to everyday activities and a bit of at-home care therapy. One of the easiest at-home remedies to try is hot and cold therapy, which helps reduce inflammation and reduce pain.

In terms of lifestyle modifications, if you are bound to sit for extended periods of time every day, your doctor may advise you to take regular walking breaks to relieve pressure on the lower back and avoid pain. If you want to release the nerve, sleep on one side with a cushion between your knees, but if you prefer to sleep on your back, lay the pillow beneath your knees instead.

While it may appear to be counterintuitive, avoiding sedentarism is the key to coping with sciatica. Develop a moderate fitness regimen to help strengthen your muscles, improve spinal support, and avoid bone deterioration as you age.

Prescription medication

If you tell someone that pain is bothering you, they will most likely recommend you take a mild painkiller. While over-the-counter medication can work for some sciatica patients, others need stronger options, which can only be purchased with a prescription.

Oral steroids such as Prednisone, nonsteroidal medicine such as Ibuprofen, tricyclic antidepressants such as Amitriptyline, as well as opioid analgesics such as Oxycodone are just a few examples of medications that are commonly recommended for both acute and chronic pain.

These medicines are intended to either eliminate pain completely or to decrease it to the point where patients can try other types of treatment that would otherwise cause them discomfort.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can be used as a treatment option alone, or in addition to other forms of therapy to support the healing process. It typically consists of a series of stretches and routines designed to strengthen the core, and it may be done at home or under the guidance of a qualified physical therapist.

The goal of physical therapy is not necessary to treat the pain, but rather prevent it, reduce its impact, or strengthen your body to better handle the symptoms. Benefits include:

• Stronger back muscles for better spinal support
• Improved core strength
• Better flexibility
• Relaxing tense muscles
• Improved blood flow

In certain situations, your doctor may advise you to rest for the next several days, but once that time has passed, you should gradually introduce moderate activity into your schedule.

Minimally invasive procedures

Many people believe that minimally invasive treatments are the most effective approach to treat sciatica pain without having to see an orthopedic surgeon. They can relieve pain, help with other healing procedures, and even help to evaluate what is fueling the sciatic nerve pain.

Here are some of the most effective minimally invasive procedures our doctor often recommends to patients:

Selective nerve root blockers

Root blockers are administered near the spinal nerve root, precisely where it emerges, between the vertebrae. The goal of these injections is to decrease inflammation and pain, reducing the abundance of pain signals that are constantly sent to the brain. The procedure can be conducted on numerous nerve roots at the same time. Some patients report instant pain alleviation, while others require more than four weeks of therapy to see effects.

Epidural steroid injections

Epidural injections can alleviate discomfort caused by herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis. The purpose of this treatment is to reduce inflammation and limit the activity of the immune system in order to reduce the creation of inflammatory cells. Steroids spread to nerve terminals and decrease pain when injected into the epidural region.

Among other treatment options pain physicians recommend, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and medical massage are also worth mentioning. So, as our doctor explains, there are plenty of non-invasive treatment options a pain specialist can recommend if you want to get your sciatica treated.  

If you are looking for a sciatica pain doctor in Paramus, NJ, don’t hesitate to contact us today! You can schedule an appointment with Dr George Hanna at our Paramus clinic on Route 17, near the Paramus Park Mall.