How to treat sciatica in the leg
When our sciatic nerve, which begins in the lower back and goes down the back of our legs, is pressed or injured, a number of troublesome symptoms characterized by pain and numbness in the affected leg are presented. This condition can affect our daily tasks, so it is important to act quickly to promote relief and get the pressure to diminish. So on OneHowTo.com we give some alternatives for you to discover how to treat sciatica in the leg and recover effectively.
Steps to follow:
Sciatica alone is not considered a disease but a symptom of another condition that is important to address. A key step to treat sciatica in the leg is referral to a specialist to identify what is causing the discomfort.
The common causes of sciatica are:
- Presence of disc herniation.
- Narrowing of the spine or spinal stenosis, a condition that commonly occurs with aging.
- Pelvic fractures or injuries.
- Piriformis syndrome
In many cases sciatica is relieved by itself, but it is usually necessary to implement some treatments. Depending on the condition that causes discomfort in the sciatic nerve it may be necessary to correct the problem with surgery, something that only a doctor can determine.
The application of hot and cold compresses is one of the best ways to treat sciatica in the leg and reduce discomfort. We recommend starting with cold compresses or ice packs for the first 48 hours when the pain presents, these should be applied for 20 minutes three to four times a day.
After 48 hours, apply heat packs if the pain persists, likewise these should be used for 20 minutes several times a day.
Over-the-counter painkillers are one of the best ways to treat sciatica in the leg, they help to relieve pain and allow us to perform our daily activities. Ibuprofen or paracetamol are good choices, but if its effect is not enough you may have to visit a doctor to receive appropriate treatment.
In some cases injections applied directly to the area provide better relief, however these must be recommended by a specialist.
Sesame oil is an excellent anti-inflammatory and natural pain reliever combined with ginger, another potent anti-inflammatory, helps treat sciatica in the leg. Mix two tablespoons of sesame oil and one of ginger and massage the affected area with this substance.
Make massage three times a day to improve symptoms, you can alternate this remedy with hot and cold compresses.
In addition to following these recommendations to help you treat sciatica in the leg it is very important that you consider other recommendations to recover soon:
- Preferably, unless your doctor tells you to, don't rest in bed as this could increase the discomfort.
- Nor is strenuous exercise advisable, but you can go for short walks to keep yourself active. After the outbreak of sciatica has passed, physical activity to help you strengthen the abdomen, abdominals, and improve back flexibility, such as swimming, yoga or pilates is recommended.
- It is important to avoid heavy lifting so as to not increase discomfort or injury.
If you are currently suffering from pain in the sciatic nerve, you will surely find our items what exercises to do if I have sciatica or how to treat sciatica using home remedies.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How to treat sciatica in the leg, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
