Sciatica: treatment
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, the information on these pages is gathered from my own experience, books, websites, and other people's experience. I will not be held responsible for any injury resulting from this information. If you have a medical condition, you should seek qualified medical advice and supervision at all times.
How is it treated?
Physical therapy and specific stretches seem to work best in most cases. Ultrasound is used when the muscles are too sore for physical manipulation (massage), heat packs and anti-inflammatory creams are used in conjunction with these treatments.
Anti-inflammatory medications are often prescribed, but do not deal with the cause, only the symptoms.
Other treatments that may work include chiropractice, yoga, tai-chi, chinese medicine and gym (ball work).
There are a small set of stretches that seem to work the best:
- Lying on your back, legs straight, bring one leg up to the chest, hands clasped around the knees and hold for 20-40 seconds. Repeat with the other leg. Do this about 10 times each side.
- Lying on your back, feet flat on the ground, knees bent, bring your arms and head to one side and drop your knees to the ground on the opposite side to your arms. This twisting stretch releases tension around the spine where the sciatic nerve exits.
- The cat stretch is another popular one - on hands and knees, arch your back to the ceiling and bring your head and neck towards the floor, and breathe out. Breathing in, bring your head up to look at the roof, and arch your back in the other direction.
- Lying on your back, bring both of your knees to your chest and clasp your hands around your knees. Roll your knees in a circle, massaging the lower back. Repeat in the other direction.
Physiotherapists will often set exercises to strengthen the trans-abdominal muscles (the deepest level muscles in the abdomen, that wrap around the spine). Strengthening these muscles takes strain away from the lower back, as they aid posture, lung capacity and cushioning of the spine when walking. Learning to tense only the trans-abdominal muscle is a good place to start, and then doing ball work at gym using that muscle is the best way to strengthen it.
