Sciatic nerve pain is difficult to treat. Due to an inflammation of your sciatic nerve, the pain can be intense. Your sciatic nerves run from the base of your spine, and down the backs of your legs to your knees. At the knee, your sciatic nerve continues the journey down the outer side of your calf and then crosses over the top of your foot. When this nerve is pinched or irritated, you can experience pain, numbness or tingling anywhere along the sciatic nerve. Sciatica usually requires a combination of complementary therapies to be treated effectively.
Chiropractic Treatment Eases Nerve Compression
When you go to the chiropractor, like those at Claremont Chiropractic, for treatment of sciatic nerve pain, the treatment will focus on reducing inflammation and restoring your spine to alignment. If the sciatic nerve is compressed because of a misaligned vertebra, a spinal adjustment will help take the pressure off of the nerve. If you have a bulging disc, chiropractic adjustments may help. If your chiropractor suspects a bulging disc, images will be taken of your spine to assess the severity. Some bulging discs can be treated with adjustments, while others may require surgery.
Acupuncture is Effective at Treating Nerve Pain
Acupuncture is an Eastern medicine that uses hair thin needles to restore the energy flow within your body. The needles don't hurt, and your acupuncturist is trained in treating all kinds of conditions. Acupuncture helps nerve pain, and other difficult to treat pain conditions. Most people who visit with an acupuncturist feel great after the treatment, leaving the office refreshed and with marked improvement.
Medication Can Help Treat Sciatic Nerve Pain
Cortisone shots, NSAIDs, and medications such as gabapentin (neurontin) are all used in the treatment of sciatic pain. Cortisone shots help to reduce inflammation when traditional medications aren't working. The first course of treatment with medications is usually NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen. If that is only partially effective, neurontin may be added and cortisone shots will be recommended. Neurontin's first use is as an anticonvulsant, but it has shown promise as a nerve pain treatment medication for many patients.
Eating Right can Reduce Inflammation
There are many foods that cause inflammation, and in reverse, many that will help fight inflammation. Maintaining a healthy weight helps heal your body. Foods that help fight inflammation include fatty fish, leafy, dark greens, nuts, seeds, strawberries, blueberries, garlic and onions. Foods that can increase your inflammation response include refined sugars, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates. Eating a healthier diet will help you reduce your overall inflammation.
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