What is the best treatment for sciatica and muscle spasms?

Question

What is the best treatment for sciatica and muscle spasms?

Answer 1

Personally, I think the worst thing that you can do is take medication to mask the pain.  Yes take something to cope, however, you need to solve the problem that is causing the pain.  Ninety percent of the time sciatic nerve pain comes from the muscle spasm. Hence, your muscles need to be worked on in order to release the spasm and ease the pain.  A visit to the chiropractor wouldn't hurt, but I suggest trying to contact a massage therapist.  They can assist you in releasing the spasm and show you some movements that you can do to reduce the risk of it occurring again.  Until you can do these things try to take some anti inflammatory, but avoid any heavy duty muscle relaxers, they are just addictive and dangerous.

Answer 2

At times you may experience pain and immobility in your back, neck or shoulders upon waking or after an ordinary movement. If you haven't done anything strenuous recently, the pain may be the result of a muscle spasm rather than a pull or strain. Yoga is particularly useful for treating muscle spasms. However, do not attempt to stretch your aching muscle if the pain is severe. Instead, rest and apply ice to the area. Wait until the acute pain subsides before moving on to gentle stretching exercises. If you experience a severe pain at any time, stop stretching immediately and contact your doctor.

Answer 3

he's right. everyone is different. pain meds and hot and cold packs can help settle it down but they're only a quick fix. mine didn't get better until a doctor finally sent me to physical therapy. and it's even better now that I've seen a chiropractor.

Answer 4

Rest is the best thing.

Sciatica is due to nerve compression, so you need to reduce the compression. Take some pain relieving tablets for now and while you sleep, lie down flat on your back and put some cushion or anything soft under your knees. It will be painful, but try maintaining the position at least for half an hour daily. The pain will subside in a few days.  Practise some light exercises that stretch your back but do not do if painful.

Observe your posture during work or any  activity that might produce the pain and try to avoid it.

Answer 5

Everyone's situation is different, depending on the level of nerve damage at the spine site.  Common treatments include traction, ultrasound, heat/cold.  Medications only mask the pain, but there has been some success with Neurontin - an anti-seisure medication that works on the nerve signal passages.  It works, but can have some interesting side-effects.

I tried Neurontin for a few years, and it helped, but never "fixed" the problem.  Ultrasound always felt good, but also never fixed it 100%.  I have been advised to have surgery, and I think anyone with bad back/leg nerve issues will most likely need surgery at some point.  The technology keeps getting better and better.  But for now, a few Ibuprophens and I am fine for a while.

Answer 6

Well, I take 4 ibuprophen, an ativan,  a flexeril, 2 stiff drinks and 30 minutes in a hot tub...  You'll pass out and forget about the pain.  

Answer 7

I'm not a doctor, just speaking from experience.  Try to get some muscle relaxants and pain medications from your doctor.  They won't cure, only help ease the pain.

Don't sit for long periods of time without getting up and walking.  I do this every 20 minutes.  You don't have to get up for long, just a couple of minutes and walk around a bit.  This helps the nerves not be so irritated for me.  You may want to get a gel cushion, or something that feels comfortable to you, to sit on at work and home.

You can also try espom salts in a warm tub for twenty minutes.  Epsom salts are inexpensive and found at many grocery stores and most drug stores.

You can try trigger point injections, usually done with cortisone.  They help relieve the inflammation.

I've not found a cure.  Sometimes it will settle down for months, then start up again.  Not sitting for long periods of time and the injections help me the most.  

I'm waiting for even more improvements in technology before I try any type of surgery.  They're always getting better at these things.  Good luck, I hope you can find what works for you.

I've included a few links below to give you even more information.  Hope it helps.