Treating Sciatic Nerve Pain

Sciatica is a condition that affects millions of people. It can cause sharp, shooting pain that starts in your lower back and travels down your leg. This can make standing, walking, sitting or bending uncomfortable or painful.

At Banner Brain & Spine, we help you find relief from sciatic nerve pain. Our team can figure out the cause of your pain and create a treatment plan just for you. Our goal is to help you move comfortably and get back to your normal activities.

Treatment options for sciatica pain

At-home treatments and self-care tips

You can often ease sciatica pain at home. These steps may help reduce swelling and discomfort: 

• Ice and heat therapy: Ice can reduce inflammation and heat can relax tight muscles. Many people switch between the two for the best results. 
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain and inflammation.

If your symptoms get worse or don’t improve within a few days, or if you develop weakness in your leg, contact your health care provider. Self-treatment isn’t always enough, especially if your nerve is significantly compressed. 

Exercises and stretches

Certain exercises can ease pressure on the sciatic nerve and improve flexibility:

• Gentle stretching: Hamstring, piriformis and lower back stretches reduce tension. Here’s a step-by-step guide to stretches that can help relieve sciatica pain.
• Yoga: Poses like the pigeon or child’s pose can help relieve pressure, improve mobility, strengthen the spine and improve spine alignment.
• Walking and low-impact exercise: Movement keeps muscles active and improves circulation.
• Physical therapy: A therapist can guide you through safe exercises that focus on core strength, correct posture, hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility and proper lifting techniques. They can design a program to prevent flare-ups.

Medications and injections

If home treatments aren’t enough, your provider may suggest: 

• Prescription medications: 
  • Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation
  • Muscle relaxants for spasms or tightness
  • Certain antidepressants may help manage chronic nerve pain
  • Oral steroids for short-term relief and to reduce inflammation
  • Opioids for severe cases where other treatments have failed
• Epidural steroid injections: Delivered near the irritated nerve in the epidural space of your spine, these steroid injections can reduce inflammation and provide targeted relief. 
• Nerve root blocks: Like steroid injections, nerve block injections contain a steroid and local anesthetic. This treatment targets a specific nerve root, rather than the epidural space.

Your provider will recommend the best option based on your pain level, health history and possible side effects.

Alternative therapies

Some people find relief from complementary therapies, but they should not replace traditional medical care:

• Acupuncture: Thin needles stimulate points in the body to relieve pain
• Massage therapy: Helps relax tight muscles and improve circulation
• Chiropractic care: Gentle spinal adjustments can reduce nerve pressure

When is surgery needed? 

Most cases of sciatica improve without surgery. Surgery is usually considered only if home care, exercises and other treatments don’t work after eight to 12 weeks and if certain conditions are present: 

• Herniated disk compressing the nerve
• Spinal stenosis or arthritis causing nerve root compression
• Spinal tumors
• Severe fractures causing compression of the nerve or instability

See a health care specialist right away if: Your pain is sudden or severe, comes after an injury or comes with numbness, weakness or changes in bladder or bowel function, which could be a sign of cauda equina syndrome.

Common surgical treatments

• Microdiscectomy: A minimally invasive procedure that removes part of a herniated disk to relieve pressure on the nerve. This can reduce pain and improve mobility.
• Laminectomy: Removes the back part of the vertebra (the lamina) to create more space for nerves. This surgical treatment is often used when spinal canal stenosis is causing sciatica. 
• Foraminotomy: This procedure enlarges the openings where nerve roots exit the spine (foramen) to relieve pressure. It is often performed for bone spurs or foraminal stenosis.
• Spinal fusion: Fuses two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine.

Surgery may provide long-term relief and help you return to normal activities. 

How long does recovery take?

Recovery depends on the cause and severity:

• Mild cases: May improve in a few weeks with home care and exercises
• Moderate cases: Therapy, medications or injections can help in six to 12 weeks
• Surgical recovery: Healing may take several weeks to a few months, depending on the procedure

How Banner Brain & Spine supports your recovery

At Banner Brain & Spine, we provide team-based care for sciatica:

• Orthopedic and neurology specialists identify the cause of your pain and recommend treatments.
• Physical therapists guide exercises and stretches to relieve pressure and improve mobility.
• Pain management experts provide medications, injections and other therapies to control symptoms.

With imaging, therapy and follow-up care all in one system, we make it easier to get relief and track your progress. Take the first step toward feeling better.