Sciatica is one of the most painful conditions with debilitating effects. Pain that burns, tingles, and shoots up the back and down the leg can severely affect some people.

Are you suffering from sciatica, or have in the past and are looking for ways to keep it at bay? Let's read about the causes and treatments so that you can find a solution, soon!

What is Sciatica?

The condition of sciatica refers to the sciatic nerve in the lower back region. This nerve causes extreme pain and can be completely debilitating.

This can be caused by injury, spinal disk bulging or degeneration, pregnancy, gaining weight, poor posture, and even sitting in an office chair for prolonged periods of time.

Sciatic pain can vary in symptoms and intensity. Most commonly, sciatica is felt locally in the lower back or buttocks, and the pain can "shoot" upwards or down into the leg.

In addition to sciatica "shooting," it is also described as burning pain, and it can show up as numbness or a tingling sensation.

Most often, sciatica is felt only on one side of the body. It is rare that someone will suffer from sciatica on both sides.

In the rare cases that someone suffers from sciatica on both sides, it is referred to as bilateral sciatica and usually refers to an issue with the disks in the spine such as degeneration.

Sciatica is a treatable condition. Mild cases can be addressed with at-home treatment, while serious cases are treated by professionals such as chiropractors, doctors, and pain management specialists.

Rest and Relaxation

Pain is the body's way of telling you that something is wrong and that it needs something from you. Sometimes all your body is asking for is rest and relaxation.

Be aware that too much rest can make the pain worse. Sleeping in the wrong position can cause more stiffness and create more pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Just Chill Before Things Heat Up

Cold therapy (using an ice pack) for the first few days of sciatica treatment may help. Using cold therapy for 15-20 minutes will reduce inflammation as well as numb the pain signal.

After a few days of cold therapy, you can start to use heating pads as well. Heat will relax the tight muscles around the nerve and encourages blood flow as the vessels are less restricted.

Chiropractic

How does chiropractic help with sciatica pain? Chiropractors adjust the spine so that disks can shift back into place, alleviating the pressure from the sciatic nerve.

Body Work

Referred to as "alternative" medicine practices, treatments such as massage therapy, acupuncture, and reflexology are effective at treating sciatica conditions.

These are only known as alternative medicine in the United States. In most countries, they are more common and accepted by the mainstream rather than going to a general practitioner for everything.

Exercises For Sciatica

Moving the body during exercise can loosen up muscles that are tightening down on the sciatic nerve. The right exercises can help, yet the wrong exercises can make the pain and condition worse.

Sitting still can also make the condition worse, just as sleeping can. The sitting position creates pressure on the sciatic nerve, and it is suggested to use a cushion or alternative-style chair to alleviate pressure.

Stretching

Stretches can prevent sciatica, treat sciatica, or stop it from returning. For assistance with stretches, you can talk to a physical therapist.

To do stretches on your own, always breathe through the entire stretch and go as slow as possible, or you could end up hurting yourself even worse.

Stop when you start to feel the muscle stretch and hold the position for a few seconds before stretching any further. Do not stretch until the point of pain.

Roll it Out

Have you ever used a foam roller? A foam roller relieves tense muscle fibers and reduces inflammation.

Technically, a foam roller is a way to perform a myofascial release on yourself. To use a foam roller, it is best if you are relaxed as possible. Try not to hold tension in your body as you do it.

For sciatica relief, you can foam roll your lower back, into your glutes, and down your hamstrings.

Stress Management

Stress is a factor in over 90% of all illnesses. Not saying that you have sciatica because you have a stressful life, but it can certainly add to it.

Weight Loss

Carrying extra weight or suddenly gaining weight can put a strain on your body. Experts say that every extra pound of weight that we have puts several extra pounds of pressure on joints and muscles.

Topical Solutions

A topical solution to sciatica is often a temporary one and will not cure the condition. Yet, topical treatments can ease the pain and help you get through the day until you can find a more permanent solution.

Here are some topical solutions:

• Cold/heat therapy cream
• Tiger balm
• CBD products
• Athletic muscle rubs
• Pain relief spray or lotion

Use these products as directed on the packaging and seek professional help for further treatment. A pain management doctor is a good place to start.

Talk to a Spine Specialist

Talking to a professional can help you get X-rays and assessments to see what treatment plan is best for your situation.

Sciatica treatments may include injections and nerve blockers which are minimally invasive but highly effective.

Scheduling Surgery With a Doctor

Surgery for sciatica is usually the last resort and only necessary for extreme cases. If you have tried everything to relieve your sciatica and nothing is working, talk to your doctor about getting a referral to a surgeon who specializes in sciatica.

Find Freedom From Sciatica Pain

There are many ways that sciatica pain can be treated and controlled, from home methods such as stretching to professional help like nerve blockers and injections. Elite Pain and Spine can help give you the answers and relief that you have needed for a long time.

A wide range of conditions are sometimes treated with the use of cortisone shots.

Also known as steroid shots, many people associate the term with performance-enhancing anabolic steroids. Cortisone shots, or corticosteroids, are used to help fight inflammation in the body, while anabolic steroids are a man-made version of testosterone used to increase muscle mass.

If your doctor or physical therapist has suggested that you take cortisone shots, you might be wondering what exactly they are.

Let's take a look at what you need to know!

What Are Cortisone Shots?

Cortisone shots are also referred to as "steroid shots" and "corticosteroids." These shots consist of a man-made version of cortisol, a natural hormone produced by the body's adrenal glands. Cortisol plays an important role in a number of different body processes, including immune response, metabolism, and stress.

Cortisone is a kind of steroid that can help people experience less pain by reducing inflammation.

These are a class of drugs that reduce immune system activity and reduce inflammation. They can help ease itching, swelling, allergic reactions, and redness.

How Do Cortisone Shots Work?

When you take a cortisone shot for inflammation, they are injected directly into the location where the inflammation is occurring. Many people confuse cortisone shots as a pain reliever because some people do use cortisone shots for pain. While a cortisone shot can help to reduce pain, it isn't a pain reliever.

The way that cortisone shots work is by preventing collagen production in the joint or tendon. This action helps to calm nerves and suppress inflammation. Indirectly, this can also help to reduce pain.

Some people experience immediate relief after a cortisone shot, while others might experience a gradual sense of relief over days or weeks. For people who are experiencing chronic or severe inflammation, the pain relief they experience might not be quite as robust.

Why Are Cortisone Shots Prescribed?

There are a variety of conditions for which doctors might prescribe cortisone shots. Let's take a closer look at some of the common issues that cortisone shots are used to help treat.

Autoimmune Diseases

When people have autoimmune diseases it means that their immune system isn't functioning properly. This can lead them to develop inflammatory conditions that are harmful to their health. The damage caused by this kind of condition can be decreased through the use of cortisone shots.

These steroid shots can also impact the way that white blood cells work while also decreasing immune system activity.

Inflammation

While inflammation can be a healthy response of the body in certain circumstances, too much inflammation can be a big problem. In some instances, inflammation can damage vital bodily organs. In these cases, cortisone shots can help to save people's lives.

Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, might also be effectively treated through the use of cortisone shots.

Organ Transplants

Organ rejection is always a concern during organ transplants. Cortisone shots can help to reduce the likelihood that an organ is rejected by suppressing the immune system.

Addison's Disease

Addison's disease is a condition that results from your body not making enough cortisol. For this reason, doctors can prescribe cortisone shots to help relieve the symptoms of this disease.

These aren't the only conditions that cortisone shots are used to treat. Some others include:

• Hay fever
• Asthma
• Lupus
• Hives
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Gout
• Bursitis
• Back pain and sciatica
• Tendinitis
• Reactive arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis

Cortisone shots are most often injected into joints of the body, such as the hip, ankle, shoulder, knee, elbow, wrist, or spine.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Cortisone Shots?

The potential risks of cortisone shots increase with repeated use and larger doses. Some of the side effects of this procedure include:

• Nerve damage
• Death of a nearby bone
• Cartilage damage
• Tendon weakening or rupture
• Temporary facial flushing
• Joint infection
• Thinning of nearby bone (osteoporosis)
• Temporary flare of pain and inflammation in the joint
• Lightening or whitening of the skin around the site of injection
• Thinning of soft tissue and skin around the site of injection

Researchers believe that it could cause damage to a joint's cartilage to have repeated cortisone shots. For this reason, doctors commonly limit how many shots of cortisone patients can receive in each joint.

The general recommendation is that you shouldn't get cortisone shots more than three or four times a year and that you should avoid getting them more often than every six weeks.

The presence of these kinds of side effects can vary from person to person, and not everyone will experience side effects.

What Are Some Other Considerations to Take Into Account?

You will want to talk with your doctor about the various pros and cons of getting cortisone shots. This can be a life-saving or life-changing treatment, but overusing it in the long term can lead to health risks.

When you discuss the possibility of cortisone shots with your doctor, let them know if you've ever had any negative reactions to medications in the past. You'll also want to let them know if you have any allergies.

Are You Suffering From Joint Pain?

Joint pain can be incredibly uncomfortable, no matter the cause. Whether you are experiencing discomfort in your knees, hips, shoulders, or another joint, it's common to also experience stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and loss of range of motion.

At Elite Pain and Spine Institute, it's our goal to help you restore function and relieve pain. Contact us today if you're interested in making an appointment!