Treatments for Low Back Pain and Sciatica

The treatment and management of low back pain and sciatica involves lifestyle changes and may include medication, surgery, or other treatments. Most patients recover, but some develop chronic back pain.

Skeleton and Nerves

Treatment aims to decrease pain and improve functioning.

Treatment involves the following:

Lifestyle changes Medications Surgery and minimally invasive procedures Alternative and complementary therapies Other treatments

References

Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2001.

Pain. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chronic%5Fpain/detail%5Fchronic%5Fpain.htm#Spine . Accessed October 27, 2008.

Sciatica. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00351 . Accessed October 27, 2008.

Textbook of Primary Care Medicine . 3rd ed. Mosby, Inc.; 2001.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Rimas Lukas, MD
Review Date: 09/2012
Update Date: 00/92/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.