Where to go for sciatica treatment

Written by Lv Yao

Orthopedics

Updated on March 19, 2025

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The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human lower limb. If symptoms of sciatic nerve pain occur, it is first necessary to determine the cause of this pain. Sometimes, the pain is caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc, leading to a ruptured nucleus pulposus protruding from the annulus fibrosus, which compresses the nerve root canal, causing this nerve pain. In such cases, it is recommended to visit an orthopedic or spinal surgery department. If there is no degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral discs or the condition of spinal stenosis, and only this pain occurs, it is advisable to visit a pain management department.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

54sec

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Can you drink alcohol with sciatica?

Can people with sciatica drink alcohol? This question comes up often. In fact, sciatica is unrelated to drinking alcohol; people with or without sciatica can drink alcohol. However, it is best to drink less if you are suffering from sciatica. The reason is simple. After consuming alcohol, it might trigger an exacerbation of sciatica symptoms. Secondly, after drinking, the body's coordination and stability decrease, which may lead to uneven walking. At this time, if the sciatica has a specific cause, drinking may aggravate the factors that induce sciatica. Thirdly, excessive drinking is genuinely torturous and also harmful to health. Therefore, it is imperative to drink alcohol in moderation, and it is best to avoid excessive drinking. Otherwise, it is not good for the condition or the person.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

52sec

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Which department should I register for sciatica?

Sciatica is divided into primary and secondary types. Primary sciatica is caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve itself, thus one should visit the Department of Neurology. Secondary sciatica is more common and usually stems from spinal conditions, so initially one should visit the Department of Spinal Surgery. Alternatively, one can visit the Department of Orthopedics, which deals with broader orthopedic issues. If experiencing severe acute pain, a visit to the Pain Management Department can provide rapid and effective pain relief. For frequent episodes of sciatica and interest in rehabilitation, the Rehabilitation Department can be considered. Additionally, traditional Chinese medicine has unique approaches to treating sciatica, so visiting the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine to try treatments with Chinese herbs and methods is also an option.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 6sec

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How should one sleep with sciatica?

Sciatica is a very painful condition. Paying attention to some details when resting and sleeping can alleviate sciatica to a certain extent. Specifically, the first point is to sleep on a hard bed, preferably a solid wooden bed. If the bed is too soft, consider placing a wooden board on it. Second, lying on your back is better than lying on your side. This is because lying on your back can maintain the stability of the lumbar spine, thereby reducing the pressure on the discs. Third, maintain a moderate flexion of the hips and knees while sleeping. To do this, place a small soft pad under the lower back and a small soft pillow under the knee joints to keep the hip joints in a slightly flexed position. The purpose is to let the muscles of the lower back relax optimally, thus stabilizing the lumbar spine and reducing the burden on the lumbar discs. Therefore, for sciatica, if you sleep on a harder bed in a supine position, and maintain proper knee and hip flexion, it can be very beneficial for recovery.

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Written by Lv Yao

Orthopedics

39sec

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Can sciatica patients run?

The pain of the sciatic nerve is generally caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc. The nucleus pulposus protrudes through the rupture of the fibrous ring of the degenerated disc, compressing the nerve root, which leads to symptoms such as sciatic nerve pain, numbness, and even restricted movement when walking. The intervertebral disc serves to absorb shocks and cushion the pressure on the lower back. During running, the load on the lower back increases, which could potentially exacerbate the symptoms of sciatic nerve pain. Therefore, it is best to avoid running exercises when sciatic nerve pain is caused by degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 47sec

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How to treat sciatica

Sciatica typically has two treatment methods. One is non-surgical treatment, which is currently the first and most commonly used approach. The first step is general treatment, meaning that once symptoms of sciatica occur, one should rest on a hard board bed. Second, one can combine this with some heat applications to the lumbar area, physical therapy, and acupuncture; all of these are options. The third is traction therapy, which is very effective for discogenic sciatica, as it can reduce the pressure on the intervertebral disc, thereby increasing the volume of the spinal canal and enlarging the area of the intervertebral foramen, thus reducing stimulation to the nerve. Fourth, one can consider undergoing sacral canal injections, or using papain or collagenase for chemical dissolution of the nucleus pulposus, which usually can also achieve a good effect. The fifth point is that when symptoms are reduced, one should start exercising the lumbar and back muscles to increase their strength and enhance the stability of the lumbar spine, thereby ensuring the stability of the intervertebral disc. It should be mentioned that massage and manipulation are quite effective for herniation of the disc nucleus pulposus, but if there is already obvious osteophyte formation, narrowing of the intervertebral space, or disorder of the facet joints, or even lumbar spinal stenosis, then massage and manipulation are not recommended. If the aforementioned treatments prove ineffective, the condition does not relieve or even worsens, or if there is central herniation of the lumbar disc, or if the patient shows significant cauda equina nerve stimulation symptoms, then surgical treatment is required.