Sciatica Doctor in West Orange Discusses 7 Methods to Treat Sciatica Pain

Method #1 – Chiropractic Care

It is estimated that around 60% of people struggling to get relief from sciatic pain managed to find it through spinal manipulation. Seeking chiropractic care for three to four days a week for four weeks, then once a week for maintenance can help manage sciatic pain without the need for surgery or other invasive types of treatment.

The benefits of chiropractic care can last up to a year, helping patients regain mobility and keep pain at bay. It is recommended that you continue going to chiropractic care even after the pain has lifted to ensure it does not come back again.

Method #2 – Yoga

Studies report people suffering from sciatic pain can find relief in practicing a specific form of yoga – Iyengar yoga. With this practice, pain can be reduced by as much as 64%. Yoga helps by strengthening the muscles in the back, reducing some of the pressure that is put on the spine.

If the spine has to endure less pressure, it also puts less stress on the sciatic nerve, and so it can reduce sciatic pain. Yoga also helps with correcting the posture, and it is a well-known fact that poor posture can worsen sciatica symptoms.

Method #3 – Muscle Relaxants

Some people only experience mild symptoms of sciatica pain, which go away in a few days with the use of mild painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, others find the pain does not seem to improve with over-the-counter medicine, so the doctor can prescribe stronger options.

Muscle relaxants or pain-reducing antidepressants are some of the options your doctor may recommend, as well as pain relievers. Keep in mind that this type of medication only works with specific causes of sciatica pain, so your condition may not benefit from the use. Your doctor will know if there is a need to recommend medication or other types of treatment that are more suited.

Method #4 – Minimally Invasive Treatment

Our board-certified doctors will recommend their patients to try minimally invasive treatment before recurring to surgery or stronger treatment methods. Usually, minimally invasive treatment such as epidural steroid injections is recommended if the pain does not seem to go away in a week with painkillers and physical therapy.

The doctor will use an X-ray to guide the injection into the lower back, close to where the sciatic nerve is, reducing inflammation in that area. These injections are only recommended a maximum of three times a year, so keep that in mind when discussing with your doctor.

Method #5 – Physical Therapy

We know that you are not exactly tempted to move when you have to deal with sciatic pain, but it can actually be a good method to alleviate the symptoms. Living a sedentary life and sitting at your desk for more than 5 hours a day can lead to sciatic pain, so physical exercise can be a way to combat this pain.

Sitting in bed all day can make the pain worse, so your doctor may recommend you start visiting a physical therapist a few days a week. Additionally, you can try to live a more active life by taking a 15-minute walk every day, trying to get into a light workout routine, or getting into swimming.

Method #6 – Topical Creams

When the sciatic nerve is compressed by the spine, it can get caught between the vertebrae, which leads to severe pain. A muscle relaxant or topical anti-inflammatory cream can help release tension and alleviate pain. Apply the cream two to three times a day.

Another option you can try is topical creams that contain cayenne pepper, which promotes pain relief by warming up the muscles. Make sure to discuss this option with your doctor, as some of these creams may not be effective for your condition. Your doctor should be able to put a diagnosis and then recommend appropriate treatment methods.

Method #7 – Massage

While a day at the spa won’t do much in alleviating sciatica pain, certain types of massage can make pain a whole lot more bearable. One type of massage, in particular, trigger point therapy, has proven very effective in managing sciatica pain.

The piriformis muscle sits above the sciatic nerve. If this muscle tightens, it can pinch the sciatic nerve and cause what we know as a tingling sensation down one of the legs. Trigger point therapy can help release tension in the muscle and remove tension from the nerve, easing off the pain. One massage session a week for a minimum of four weeks should be enough to start seeing results.

If you are struggling with sciatic pain and want to seek a pain clinic in West Orange, NJ, we are here to help. Contact Pain Treatment Specialists today and let us help you find effective pain treatment so that you can go back to your normal activities. Come and visit us at our West Orange, NJ Pain Center near the Essex Country Club and get a correct diagnosis and a personalized recovery plan based on your needs, or submit an online form.