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Discover Gold Nuggets On How To Relieve Sciatic Pain

Conventional wisdom says that bed rest is an effective therapy for relieving sciatic pain but various recent scientific studies point out at a different direction. Conventional form of treatment involves use of anti-inflammatory drugs and in certain cases, epidural steroid injections (as per doctor's advice).

Medications:Certain kinds of non-inflammatory drugs can prove to be extremely effective towards sciatica treatment by working on countering the pain occurring from the inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The problem lies with the fact is that these kinds of non-steroidal drugs may cause gastritis, ulcers or other types of side effects which are gastrointestinal in nature. NSAIDs are the name given to such kinds of drugs. The different drugs which come under this category are Naprosyn, Bextra or Celebrex, Nuprin, Motrin and Advil. Medicines such as Tylenol (Acetaminophen) may be taken along with the NSAID drugs or with certain time duration in between for relieving sciatic pain. A doctor's prescription is recommended before the consumption of these drugs.

Cold and Heat Therapy: Frozen vegetables or ice cubes need to be wrapped by a towel in the form of a triangle shape and applied directly on the area of pain over the skin surface. Commercial ice packs can also be used for this purpose which is readily available in the market. Each session of application should last for continuous 15-20 minutes. The sessions are to be repeated three to four times with the same time gap i.e.15-20 minute rest after every session. Many such sessions can be performed throughout the day but care should be taken as to not make the area of pain numb. Warm heat packs can also be applied in the form of hot water bottle or heating pad. Care should be taken so that the skin does not get too moist or burned. The purpose is to increase the flow of blood and thus enhancing speed healing. Each sessions of heat application may last for 15 minutes and can be applied throughout the day. Alternative application of heat and cold packs may also provide better results. During the initial 3-4 days of sciatic pain, the cold packs should be daily applied. After the sharp pain has been reduces, the heat pack application is initiated for a period of 1 week.

Ice massage: A paper cup is taken and filled with water. After the cup is frozen, the top half is cut off to leave the ice exposed. The cup is then applied directly on the skin with the ice touching the skin surface. The ice needs to be gently applied in circular motion over the affected area. The application should usually last for 5-6 minutes and should be stopped after the burning sensation subsides and numbness starts to set in. In other words, the application needs to be continuously made while avoiding the bony spinal portion until frostbite can occur. This procedure can be done three to four times a day and can also be performed by another person on the patient. In case of severe pain, stronger medications such as morphine etc. may be prescribed by the doctor.

By: Alicia S. Campbell

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Alicia Campbell is a sciatica healing expert. For more great information on www.sciaticasecret.com/category/how-to-relieve-pain-from-sciatica/>how to relieve sciatic pain, visit www.sciaticasecret.com.

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