Can sciatica ruin your life?
If left untreated, sciatica can cause permanent nerve damage that worsens back and leg pain. Over time, the pain may extend to other parts of the body. In some cases, patients stop responding to pain medication, thereby developing chronic pain that cannot be remedied.
Why is my sciatica getting worse?
If you are overweight and/or don’t get enough exercise, recurring sciatica pain is all too common. Extra weight, especially in the mid-section, puts pressure and strain on the pelvis and the lower back. Lack of exercise and physical activity also make sciatica pain worse in the long run.
How do I get rid of chronic sciatica?
Here are five progressive treatment options to help you relieve the pain.
- Hot and cold therapy. Ice decreases inflammation, and heat relaxes your muscles.
- Over-the-counter medications.
- Physical Therapy and Stretching.
- Epidural Steroid injections under X-ray Guidance.
- Minimally Invasive and Non-surgical Procedures.
How to cope with chronic sciatica?
Learning to cope with chronic pain means different things to different people. However, regardless of how a person deals with their pain, there is simply no denying the huge impact that chronic sciatica has on their life. The most common method of dealing with severe and unrelenting pain is with the help of powerful pain management drugs .
Are there alternative treatments for sciatica other than drugs?
Some patients cope using alternative pain relieving methods, such as chiropractic, acupuncture or TENS therapy. These are often better choices, since they do not demonstrate the same health risks as sciatica drugs.
Is it possible to have chronic back pain with sciatica?
Finally, it is possible to have chronic back pain with sciatica. This includes patients with chronic low back pain who then develop sciatica due to a new disc herniation or those who actually have sciatica for a long period of time. The challenging issue is that surgery appears less effective in those with chronic sciatica.
What is the most common cause of sciatica pain?
Sciatica. Sciatica pain is caused by an irritation, inflammation, pinching or compression of a nerve in the lower back. The most common cause is a herniated or slipped disk that causes pressure on the nerve root. Most people with sciatica get better on their own with time and self-care treatments.