Lumbosacral sciatica usually does not require special attention. Treatment in most cases is limited to taking painkillers, and all the symptoms go away within two weeks. However, some cases of radiculitis may require even surgical intervention.

Most cases of acute lumbosacral radiculitis can be treated at home as described below.

How to treat chronic sciatica?

Painkillers

There are a number of nonprescription painkillers that are usually effective in relieving pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, work best.

However, such drugs may not be suitable for asthma or high blood pressure, liver disease, heart disease or digestive disorders. Your doctor or pharmacist must consult you about this.

If the symptoms are very severe, you may be prescribed painkillers based on weakly acting opiates, for example, codeine. To relax the muscles, you may have to take diazepam. These drugs are only available on prescription.

Diazepam has side effects in the form of drowsiness. When taking the drug, you should not drive the vehicle. Driving is prohibited and within 24 hours after the last intake, as the drug is poorly excreted from the blood.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking diazepam. These substances are incompatible.

Diazepam and other strong painkillers can be addictive, so the doctor usually prescribes them for up to seven days.

Exercises

In radiculitis, exercise may be effective. Despite the fact that bed rest provides temporary relief of pain, long-term treatment is contraindicated. Walking and light stretching exercises are recommended.

Compresses

Many people believe that using hot or cold compresses helps reduce pain. You can make compresses yourself. It is enough to wrap the frozen water in a bottle in a towel. Hot compresses are also quite effective.

Treatment of chronic sciatica

Chronic lumbosacral sciatica usually requires a combination of self-care and medical treatment. The treatment options are described below.

Analgesics

With prolonged use of pain medication as a method of pain management, one must be careful, as they are addictive and there may be problems with the stomach and digestive system, up to internal bleeding. In chronic

radiculitis following anesthetics may be used:

  • Paracetamol
  • Codeine
  • Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amitriptyline

  • gabapentin was originally developed for the treatment of depression, but physicians have found its high efficiency in the treatment of pain nerves. It also has side effects:
    • drowsiness
    • dry mouth
    • blurred vision
    • constipation
    • trouble urinating

    Do not drive if you find that amitriptyline causes you drowsiness. Amitriptyline should not be taken to people with heart disease.

    Gabapentin was originally developed to prevent seizures in patients with epilepsy. However, like amitriptyline, it was useful in the treatment of pain in the nerves.

    Possible side effects of gabapentin include:

    • drowsiness dizziness fatigue
    • loss of coordination

    Corticosteroid injections

    If other methods of anesthesia does not work, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for an epidural steroid injection. The procedure provides a strong anti-inflammatory effect directly to the inflamed area around the nerves of the spine. This should relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and reduce pain.

    Physical Exercise and Physiotherapy

    As with acute sciatica, if you suffer from chronic lumbosacral sciatica, you must remain physically active, as this reduces the severity of the symptoms.

    Regular exercise will help strengthen the muscles that support the back. Exercise also stimulates the production of endorphins, which are natural analgesics.

    Your doctor may recommend a suitable exercise plan for you or you can seek help from a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist can teach you a set of exercises that strengthen the muscles that support the back and improve the flexibility of the spine. They can also teach you how to improve your posture and reduce any future stresses on your back.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy( CBT)

    Some studies have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy can help in the treatment of chronic pain caused by lumbosacral radiculitis.

    Therapy is based on the principle that what we feel depends in part on how we think about things. Studies have shown that people who are engaged in physical training, react differently to pain.

    Also, such people are more likely to remain physically active and exercise, which reduces the severity of the symptoms.

    Surgical treatment of radiculitis

    Operation can be one of the treatment options for cases of chronic lumbosacral radiculitis.

    It is necessary if a herniated disc is diagnosed or the symptoms do not go away as a result of other forms of treatment.

    If the symptoms deteriorate dramatically, then surgery is also necessary.

    The type of surgery that will be recommended for you will depend on the causes of sciatica.

    There are three main types of surgery for radiculitis.

    Discectomy: part of the herniated disc, which presses on your nerve, is removed. This is the most common type of surgery.

    Connective surgery: if the vertebra slides out of its place, it can be placed back with a bone graft, which will be supported by metal rods.

    Laminectomy: The procedure is often used to treat spinal stenosis. The goal is to relieve the pressure of the arches on the nerve.

    Surgical operation is positive in most cases. However, it can carry a certain risk. There is a risk of contracting the infection or the risk that the operation will not succeed.

    So before the operation the doctor will be obliged to report all the risks and benefits in your case.