Traditional and Alternative Therapies for Curing Sciatica

By Kathy Lister

How you go about curing sciatica depends on the nature of the original problem. Sciatica is caused by an irritation or a pressure on the Lumbar-5 nerve, also called the sciatic nerve, which is a long nerve that runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and into the legs. The irritation can be caused by changes of the structure of the vertebrae, the building blocks of the spine, from injury, or from the herniation, bulging, or rupturing of one of the vertebral discs. These discs are located between the vertebrae in the spinal column, and they serve as a cushioning agent when you bend or move. If the nerve is impinged upon by the discs, the symptoms may present themselves as a tingling, a weakness, or a numbness in the affected areas, or as a pain that radiates up the back, down into the buttocks, and down the side of one or both legs. Although some cases are relatively minor and don't affect the person adversely, the pain caused by sciatica can also be excruciating, causing a loss of movement and the ability to bend or walk effectively.
Traditional Therapies
If your healthcare provider is a traditional, Western medicine doctor, he will probably recommend a conventional treatment, such as medication. The first choice is over-the-counter remedies, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. These help reduce the pain and start to repair tissue at the same time. Muscle relaxants have a relaxing effect on the whole body and can be helpful for short-term use, and the stronger narcotics are medications of last resort. Physicians recommend using as little of a medication as works, and for the shortest time possible. Be proactive, though - follow your doctor's advice, but always ask about possible side effects, too. You should always be prepared.
Alternative Therapies
Not all people respond well to traditional treatments. Alternative treatments and CAM (Complimentary and Alternative Medicine) centers are becoming more popular among the general public for getting relief from their sciatica. Although nontraditional therapies generally do not have scientific documentation of their benefits and safety, they have a long history of anecdotal evidence, and many people find them helpful. In fact, some centers are establishing themselves within the traditional medical sphere, at hospitals and clinics, and the like. Always check with your own doctor before starting any therapy, traditional or alternative, but the procedures described here are generally considered safe for people who don't have other serious medical conditions.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years, and has been making serious inroads in the traditional medical community of many countries, including the United States. Traditional Oriental acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy force, called "ki," which includes body, mind, spirit, and emotion runs through the body. If this energy flow is disrupted, diseases and other disorders occur. By placing small needles into certain spots on the body where blood and body energy converge, and by twirling, lifting, rotating, or making other precise movements, the balance can be restored to the body. Chinese acupuncture is one part of an entire complex tradition of holistic healing. Medical acupuncture uses similar methods; however, medical acupuncturists focus on the physical aspects rather than restoring balance to the energy force running through the body. Whether you choose a traditional Chinese acupuncturist or a modern medical acupuncturist is a matter of choice.
Related to acupuncture, acupressure treats the same points within the body with pressure from the hand or fingers, or with an instrument fitted with a rounded head instead of needles. The results of this treatment are similar to those of acupuncture.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors can't prescribe drugs, take blood, or do any invasive procedures; however, they should take a medical history and perform a physical examination just as a medical doctor does, and they can order X-rays, CAT scans and other diagnostic examinations to determine if there is a problem with the sciatic nerve. Chiropractors manipulate the entire body, with the spine as their specialty, and the nature of their spinal adjustment treatment depends on the exact cause of the sciatica. The doctor will generally press on your spine to relieve irritated nerves and increase movement in your joints. If the problem stems from a disc problem, the chiropractic approach to is to relieve pressure to ease pain and help restore better motion to the spinal joint.
Hypnosis
This term comes from the Greek word meaning "to sleep," although therapeutic techniques do not involve putting the patient to sleep. The main purpose of hypnosis for people with sciatica is for the therapist to help them change the way they feel and respond to painful stimuli. If he can convince the patient that the pain is either there or is simply a background distraction, the patient can feel relief from that pain. It is important to note that hypnosis can't cure sciatica or repair or heal a ruptured disc, but it can provide some much needed relief.
Once you have been diagnosed properly, curing sciatica, or at least reducing the pain and discomfort, can be accomplished by a number of alternative and/or traditional treatments. Make sure to ask your healthcare provider what the right treatment is for you.
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