Urgent Care for Sciatica Pain Q&A

When treating sciatica, treatment options are usually determined by the physician on a case-by-case basis, after reviewing the patient’s medical history, considering any underlying medical conditions they have, and assessing the severity of their condition. With that in mind, there are several effective treatment options for sciatica that your physician can choose from to help you manage your symptoms and heal in the best way possible.

Some of these treatment options could include any of the following:
 
• Anticonvulsant medication, such as gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant), to blunt pain signals in the nerves
• Muscle relaxant medication, such as Robaxin or Zanaflex
• Physical therapy to strengthen the spine, lower back, buttocks, hip, and abdomen, stretch tight or inflexible muscles, and increase circulation
• Short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
• Steroid injections, using corticosteroids to reduce pain and inflammation around the irritated nerve
• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil, to help reduce nerve pain
 
If first-line treatment options fail to improve sciatica, surgery may also be considered to remove bone spurs or herniated discs that are pressing on the sciatic nerve.

If you are having trouble getting your sciatic nerve to stop hurting, there are several at-home remedies that may provide temporary relief. You may also consider alternative therapies such as acupuncture or massage therapy. With that being said, it is best to consult with a medical professional about such remedy options to prevent complications and ensure the best results. If you are looking for help with getting your sciatic nerve to stop hurting, our board-certified physicians at Priority Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic would be more than happy to help and provide informed advice on what you can do for pain relief.

The length of time it takes for sciatica to heal typically depends on whether it is acute or chronic. As such, an acute episode of sciatica may last between one to six weeks before it resolves itself. In contrast, chronic sciatica is typically diagnosed when sciatica lasts for longer than two months and can last two years or more.

Sciatica pain occurs when the sciatic nerve in the lower back becomes compressed, inflamed, irritated, or pinched. The most common cause of sciatica is when a herniated or slipped disk, which are cushioning pad between each spinal vertebra, puts pressure on the sciatic nerve root.

Other causes of sciatica include the following:
 
• Degenerative disc disease, which is the natural deterioration of the vertebrae of the spine
• Osteoarthritis, causing bone spurs to compress the sciatic nerve
• Piriformis syndrome, which is a condition where the piriformis muscle in the buttocks has spasms or becomes too tight, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve
• Spinal stenosis, which is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal, leaving less available space for the sciatic nerve
• Spondylolisthesis, which occurs when one vertebra slips out of place, causing the spinal bone to pinch the sciatic nerve
• Tumors in the lumbar portion of the spine can compress the sciatic nerve

If you or someone you love has sustained a minor injury or illness, come to Priority Urgent Care today! Our walk-in clinic is equipped to handle almost any non-life-threatening medical concern, from the common cold to cuts and burns. Contact us today to book an appointment. We serve patients from Ellington CT, Unionville CT, East Haven CT, Cromwell CT, Oxford, CT and Newington, CT, and BEYOND!