How to treat inflammation of the sciatic nerve

The sciatic nerve (sacral plexus) is the largest and thickest nerve in the human body. It is localized in the lumbar spine and passes through the tailbone and lower limbs, reaching the very feet. In an adult, its diameter is 8-12 mm. It is formed by all the roots of the sacral nerve plexus, which is formed by two lumbar and three sacral segments of the spinal cord. This explains the fact that damage to the lower parts of the spinal column often causes pain along the sciatic nerve.

The main functions of the sciatic nerve are to provide sensitive (afferent) and motor (efferent) innervation of the lower extremities. Pinching of the sciatic nerve (sciatica) occurs due to compression of its trunk or root, which is accompanied by severe pain. This is a common occurrence. According to statistics, it can occur in 30% of people who suffer from disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Why does pathology occur?

Doctors consider primary and secondary neuropathy. The primary cause is injuries, infectious diseases and hypothermia. The list of reasons that can cause a secondary type of illness is much more extensive. These include:

disc displacement;
neoplasms of any nature;
osteochondrosis;
protrusion;
osteophytes;
spasmodic muscles;
curvature of the ridge;
tunnel syndrome;
intervertebral hernia;
post-injection suppuration.

Characteristic

The largest nerve in the body is formed outside the spinal canal (in the pelvic area). The nerve goes through the gluteal opening, is closed by the muscle, then goes down to the back of the thigh, moving to the lower leg.

In the popliteal region it is divided into the medial thick tibial branch and the fibular lateral branch. They pass along the leg, then approach the foot and hand (phalanxes).

It is thanks to the sciatic nerve that full mobility of the legs and the activity of the small pelvis are ensured.

When a problem such as sciatica appears, it is important to begin diagnosis and treatment as quickly as possible, otherwise you may end up with disability.

Symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Pain, which can even occur due to lifting a heavy bag or hypothermia, night attacks are the main indicator of sciatica. In addition to the sharp shooting pain syndrome, doctors advise paying attention to:

“pins and needles” and numbness from the buttocks and below;
constipation, urinary incontinence;
weakness and gradual muscle atrophy, limping.

When a person moves or stands for a long time, pain is more disturbing. During attacks, redness of the skin, swelling, chills, and sweating are quite possible. At first, the pain syndrome is not very expressive, but gradually becomes so strong that there is a danger of loss of consciousness. It almost hurts for a person to breathe. If the disease is not treated, the entire leg will suffer: it will become cold, bending and unbending it will be problematic, and then the ability to move the foot and toes will be lost.

A little about massages

If you combine various treatment methods with massage, you can achieve improvement quite quickly. The main thing is to first eliminate the pain, and then attend sessions with a massage therapist, since if there is discomfort, the desired effect will not be achieved.

It is important to choose the right massage therapist. He must have an appropriate document confirming the availability of the necessary skills. If the massage technique is incorrect, it can seriously harm your health.

Massotherapy

Usually the course of massages is quite long, but it needs to be completed completely to get the desired effect. As a rule, you will have to visit a massage therapist at least 10 times . Massage stimulates blood circulation, enhances tissue nutrition and helps release the sciatic nerve, and therefore improve the condition. Further, even after healing, it is necessary to periodically repeat the course to avoid relapses.

Pinching symptoms

Doctors consider several syndromes that indicate that the patient has a pinched nerve.

Lesera – straight leg does not rise;
Sikara – pain intensifies if a person bends the foot;
landing - it is impossible to take a sitting position yourself.

It hurts to walk and squat, but if you lie down or sit with your legs spread wide apart, it goes away. Signs of inflammation and pinching of the sciatic nerve are quite expressive, but they can still be confused with other diseases:

spondylitis;
myeloma;
ankylosing spondylitis;
phlebothrombosis;
arterial insufficiency.

Chondroprotectors

Medicines in this group are prescribed to quickly restore connective tissue, regenerate the structure of the spine and reduce inflammation in the back.

Chondroitin sulfate

The active substance in the form of chondroitin is used to eliminate destruction of bone and cartilage tissue. During the course of injections, inflammation and pain in the lower back go away, and joint mobility is normalized.

Alflutop

Injections are given intramuscularly to relieve pain in the back and lower back. Included in the list of the best chondroprotectors. It regenerates cartilage and fights intervertebral hernia.

How to make a diagnosis

The disease is determined by a neurologist based on the results of motor tests that reveal the presence of the syndromes described above. But laboratory and instrumental studies are still necessary. As a rule, they are limited to x-rays in two planes. It may be necessary to obtain a more clear picture of the condition of the spine. In this case, a tomography will be prescribed. A radioisotope scan is done if a tumor is suspected.

When a person has inflammation of the sciatic nerve, treatment at home is not always acceptable, because the disease can manifest itself in such a serious form that the patient is prescribed bed rest in a hospital setting. Nerve-related illnesses must be taken seriously or you may lose your ability to move.

An immediate visit to a doctor is necessary in the following cases:

severe numbness that prevents you from moving;
increased body temperature;
transfer of pain to other locations;
incontinence of metabolic products;
swelling in the lower part of the ridge.

Combined painkillers

After completing a course of injections for back and lower back pain, the patient may be prescribed other forms of medications - ointments, tablets, suppositories. These drugs will have a supporting effect and prevent the development of possible complications.

The fight against back pain is a long-term and complex process. Anesthetic injections give a good and lasting result, but they should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.

How to treat inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Treatment measures are aimed at:

relieving the patient of pain;
improved sensitivity of the limbs;
restoration of leg functionality.

To achieve this, they resort to methods of traditional and alternative medicine. Treatment begins with pain relief. Then physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises, and manual therapy come into play. In parallel, the rich experience of traditional medicine can be used.

Medicines prescribed for the treatment of sciatica include the following groups of drugs:

non-steroidal;
corticosteroids;
vitamin complexes;
biogenic stimulants;
muscle relaxants;
decongestants;
angioprotectors.

External means are widely used - warming creams and ointments, which contain snake or bee venom, hot pepper, camphor, turpentine. Massage for inflammation of the sciatic nerve helps improve blood circulation and restore muscle tone.

A huge role in restoring leg functions belongs to physiotherapeutic procedures, for example, magnetic and laser therapy, electrophoresis, and dynamic current treatment. Various types of physical exercises, selected for a specific patient, reduce muscle spasms and strengthen the body.

To heal at home, you will have to be patient, since sciatica responds better to the efforts of professionals. There are cases when the disease started precisely because of insufficiently active therapeutic measures. The more complex the case, the more effective drugs have to be prescribed. So, if non-steroidal drugs do not help, although a person takes them for a long time, steroid drugs are prescribed, which have significant side effects.

In many clinics, in addition to the main treatment, patients undergo courses:

acupuncture;
ozone therapy;
herbal medicine;
cupping and vacuum massage;
stone therapy;
treatment with leeches;
cauterizations.

Many recipes for compresses, lotions, and tinctures have been developed. But it is better not to try them on yourself without consulting your doctor. The doctor knows where and how they can help or harm. Therefore, it is necessary to consult.

Spa and hydrotherapy is an excellent way to improve overall health and regulate various pathologies, including inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the symptoms and treatment of which, due to their diversity and complexity, require long-term and careful attention.

If therapeutic methods do not produce results, the nerve has to be decompressed. This is done surgically.

It is not enough to know how to treat sciatica, that is, inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It is necessary to be aware of how to protect yourself from such a serious, life-spoiling and health-robbing illness.

Among the preventive measures, doctors recommend the following:

do not freeze;
strengthen immunity;
lift weights correctly;
develop posture;
sleep on hard mattresses;
beware of sudden movements.

A healthy body significantly increases the likelihood that the spine will work correctly, and the nerve roots will avoid inflammation and will not be pinched.

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Muscle relaxants

Quite often, back pain occurs as a consequence of muscle spasms. There are usually two different types based on etiology:

spasticity resulting from damage to brain activity;
muscle pain and spasms due to musculoskeletal disorders.

Injections of muscle relaxants are prescribed to enhance the effect of NSAIDs and steroid medications. Injections should be carried out in full compliance with the dosage and administration rules.

Mydocalm

Relaxes the spinal muscles, blocks nerve endings and relieves back and lower back pain. Contains an active substance - tolperisone, which provides a local anesthetic effect. May cause allergies in patients intolerant to lidocaine.

Atarax

This drug is a piperazine derivative. Intramuscular injections relax the vertebral and smooth muscles of the back with a moderate effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

Contraindications: pregnancy, hypersensitivity to components, arrhythmia and renal failure.

Baclofen (Baklosan)

The main therapeutic component is baclofen, which helps reduce the excitability of sensitive nerve endings and impulses, relieving pain in the lower back and back. Contains contraindications for patients with Parkinson's disease, muscle cramps, epilepsy and intolerance to the components.

Hydroxyzine

The active ingredient is hydroxyzine. Injections help relieve muscle tone in the lower back and neurotic pain in the back. Its effects are similar to Atarax, since it is a piperazine derivative. Should be used with caution in patients with renal failure.

Tizanidine

The main substance in the composition is tizanidine. Reduces the aggravated tone of the skeletal muscles, removes spasms in the back, reduces muscle resistance during inert movements, and increases the power of free contractions. May have side effects at higher doses.