- 1). Try heat and ice before medicating. It can help reduce the leg pain. Apply ice or heat for 20 minutes every two hours, Dr. Stephen H. Hochschuler recommends. Use one or the other, or alternate to alleviate sciatic nerve pain.
- 2). Take either over-the-counter or prescription medications, as they can help relieve sciatica. Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, or oral steroids. Both will work to reduce inflammation.
- 3). Get an epidural steroid injection if pain persists and is severe, suggests Dr. Hochschuler. It will reduce inflammation. However, it works differently than an oral steroid medication because it directly injects steroids into the affected area. It is meant for temporary relief and not a long-term cure for a patient in recovery.
- 4). Try alternative treatments. Acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic care have all shown to be effective for sciatic nerve pain relief. The National Institutes of Health recognizes acupuncture, the ancient Chinese treatment using metallic needles, as effective in relieving sciatica. Massage therapy can help relax the muscles and increase blood circulation, while chiropractic manipulation involves realignment of the spine. Alternative care can address underlying conditions and relieve sciatic nerve pain.
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