NSAIDS or Pain Killers for Sciatica - What Works?

People often wonder if NSAIDS or pain killers for sciatica is effective treatment. Although pain medications are effective in masking sciatic nerve pain, physical therapy, stretching and exercising can be a more important treatment to strengthen surround structures to make mobility easier. NSAIDS, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often the medication of choice because they decrease inflammation, which often accompanies sciatica. Pain killers such as acetaminophen or codeine based prescription pain relievers are also effective in relieving pain, however, they do not relieve inflammation and swelling. Most importantly, they don't address the root cause of the problem, not too mention they have negative side effects.

Certain factors are important in deciding whether NSAIDS or pain killers are best for sciatica. For example, if the patient is currently receiving medication to thin his blood, NSAIDS may not be the treatment of choice because NSAIDS also have blood thinning properties, which can cause the blood to thin too much. In these cases, natural anti-inflammatory supplements for sciatica would be the treatment of choice, unless otherwise directed by the physician. Frequently, it can take a few days of NSAIDS treatment before the blood levels of the medications are optimal for pain relief. Pain is often caused by the release of a chemical produced by the body called prostaglandin. NSAIDS inhibit the release of prostaglandins, thereby relieving sciatica pain. Pain killers such as over the counter acetaminophen products do not produce the same effect, but are a viable option in the patient who cannot take NSAIDS.

When evaluating whether NSAIDS or pain killers for sciatica are appropriate treatments, the doctor may ask the patient if he ever experienced gastrointestinal distress from NSAIDS. Frequently, NSAIDS cause stomach upset, and can even cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients who have stomach ulcers may not be candidates for NSAIDS. In addition to the pain relief that prescription pain relievers can bring, they also produce drowsiness which may help the patient relax and get much needed sleep.

Rest and sleep are important in the healing process and during acute episodes of pain, sleep and rest are hard to achieve. Sciatica can be excruciatingly painful, so the physician may elect to give the patient prescription pain medications, especially if they have other predisposing conditions such as high blood pressure. Excessive pain can cause the blood pressure to rise, so giving the patient stronger prescription pain medication over NSAIDS can help keep pain at bay and therefore reduce the risk of a pain related spike in blood pressure.

Finally, when asking the question, NSAIDS or pain killers for sciatica, what works best, the answer would be depending on the general condition of the patient and the physician's recommendation. They both can be effective pain relievers and may help you feel a little better but are they worth the risk?

There are much safer, better ways to reduce your sciatic pain by finding out what is causing sciatic pain in the first place. To learn more about what causes sciatica - click here.