Treatment for sciatica is an urgent problem for thousands of people. The suffering that this disease brings, forcing doctors to find new cures and treatments that will cope with the disease.
Drug treatment of sciatica
The effectiveness of drug treatment of sciatica confirmed by a number of scientific research, the results of which are symptoms of this disorder can often be alleviated without resorting to surgery. It is also found that the medication gives particularly good results in combination with physical therapy. Special agents from sciatica has not yet been developed, but fortunately, in many cases, very well help various anesthetics.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol - is familiar to most people a drug that is often used for the relief of pain associated with sciatica. It is relatively safe, rarely causes side effects, and has a few contraindications; it may take even pregnant women - of course, after consultation with the doctor.
Very often, to relieve the symptoms of sciatica
Symptoms of sciatica - what could be the manifestation
used non-prescription NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac. They quite effectively relieve pain and inflammation, allowing patients to live a full life. However, anti-inflammatory drugs with radiculitis should not take a long time; they can cause a number of side effects, among them - problems with the gastrointestinal tract, high blood pressure, kidney tissue damage, and in rare cases - allergic reactions.
Antiepileptic drugs or anticonvulsants
Their name for many people, it sounds scary, and is associated with more severe impairment than sciatica. This is quite true, but this type of medication, among other things, can relieve pain caused by sciatica. Such drugs can be prescribed if other painkillers do not help from sciatica. Side effects of anticonvulsants may be nausea, dizziness and drowsiness.
Antidepressants
As a rule, severe pain in patients suffering from sciatica may prescribe antidepressants following types:
- Tricyclic antidepressants. They are used in the treatment of sciatica for the past several decades, their effectiveness is confirmed in several studies. Tricyclic antidepressants may cause side effects such as dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, and indigestion;
- Serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Antidepressants of this type are considered safer than tricyclic antidepressants, but they may be less effective in very severe pain.
The use of antidepressants in the treatment of sciatica may have additional benefits: it improves the psychological state of the people who, because of chronic pain often experience depression. In turn, depression and stress
How to beat stress? Create an oasis
lead to increased pain and a vicious circle from which is sometimes (but not always) help out antidepressants.
Doctors note that some patients do not like the idea of taking antidepressants when sciatica because, in their view, the purpose of these medications suggests that the pain they feel, there is "only in their head." In reality it is not so - just these drugs help in various disorders such as depression
Depression - a little more than a bad mood
and sciatica.
Opioid analgesics
Opioid analgesics - a potent painkillers, which are sold only by prescription. They are very effective in relieving pain, but can cause constipation, indigestion, and addictive, so with radiculitis prescribers rarely, and in a very short period of time.
Cauterized with radiculitis
Epidural steroid injections are sometimes the last conservative treatment method that is used before the doctor begins to consider the possibility of surgery
. They shall be appointed as from sciatica pain pills do not help
. Before the procedure, patients are examined using magnetic resonance imaging or other medical imaging techniques
. Then the injection from sciatica do, guided by images obtained by X-ray
. Corticosteroids injected into the epidural space - where they act directly on the nerves, easing pain and stopping the inflammatory process
. It is assumed that they can also stimulate healing of damaged tissue
. Injections with radiculitis give very different results in different patients
. Someone pain after the injection takes place forever or at least for a few years, and some - only a few months
. Improvement can occur immediately or within two weeks
. Some patients benefit from a single injection, and some require up to three injections that make over the period of one to three months
. As a rule, patients recommend a few days after the injection start practicing spot, gradually increasing the load
. It is desirable to do so under the supervision of a physical therapist therapist - it will help you avoid injuries, which can slow down the healing process
.
In addition, you can use extra medicine to treat sciatica - their effectiveness has not been proven in scientific research, but it is confirmed by the experience of millions of people suffering from this disease.
Nutritional supplements and vitamins
In some cases, the pain of sciatica is enhanced due to vitamin B12 deficiency. The doctor may advise the patient to eat more foods containing the vitamin, or use supplements, which include this vitamin. Presumably efficient radiculitis are additives containing acetyl L-carnitine-
L-carnitine - gives the body energy
Alpha-lipoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid. However, there is insufficient evidence has been obtained of their effectiveness, and to their reception is better to consult a doctor.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has traditionally been used to relieve pain associated with a variety of diseases
. Since then, as the direction of alternative medicine began to spread in Western countries, there have been many studies in which scientists have tried to figure out how the acupuncture, as well as to confirm or deny its effectiveness
. To do this until now was not possible - the results of studies is very ambiguous
. Some experts have suggested that exposure to certain point leads to the production of chemical substances that relieve pain or pain thus blocked signals transmitted to the brain
. While scientists disagree about whether to use acupuncture in the treatment of sciatica and other irregularities
. If you wish to try this ancient method of treatment for yourself, get a specialist in acupuncture, which has a license, and which has been running for a long time - this is to some extent a guarantee that he is doing his job, and the people after his sessions no serious health problems
.
Massage
The effectiveness of massage as a remedy against chronic pain is considered to be not proven, but many people suffering from sciatica, argue that it is perfectly alleviates the symptoms of the disease. It is highly recommended to choose a massage therapist who has a medical degree - this will minimize the likelihood that a massage cause any side effects.
