What do you do to relieve your sciatica?

Exercise: A holistic approach to sciatica involves specific evaluation by MRI and possibly EMG to clearly define the cause. Typically people will use physical therapy, exercise and at least 2 trials of medications first, then be evaluated for interventional procedures including injections. If these are not beneficial a surgical consultation is appropriate to review which surgical options may exist.

Integrative care: A herniated disc can cause back pain as well as foot pain by physically pressing on the nerves that travel to the foot and by irritating them through the extrusion of pro-inflammatory disc materials. Physical therapy and other conservative measures, including medication management, are considered first line treatment. If these fail, your physician may recommend epidural steroid injections.

Conservative measure: Common sciatica is pattern of pain radiating from low back into posterior thigh & to knee. Causation varied & includes muscle spasm within pyriformis muscle & sacroiliac joint hypermobility. Most sciatica does not radiate to lower aspect of lower extremity nor is most caused by herniated vertebral disks. Rest, warm soaks, oral corticosteroids, & injections useful for problem oft self-limiting.

Core Exercises: Typically core strengthening exercises are the best to help relieve pressure and forces in the spine. I would try and google some or look them up on youtube to see descriptions. If you can do them yourself, wonderful otherwise ask your doctor to get a referral to a good physical therapist for further assistance.