Sciatica is severe pain characterized by a shooting or electrical pain that is felt in the back of the leg. This type of pain, if caused by the nerves of the low back, is also known as lumbar radiculopathy. Sciatica is caused when the sciatic nerve is compressed by any type of spine condition such as a bulging or herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, piriformis syndrome, or spinal stenosis. There are many non-surgical, non-opioid treatments options for the treatment of sciatica. Epidural steroid injections can help reduce the inflammation near the spinal nerve root and reduce pain for months and sometimes longer. Over-the-counter NSAIDs and muscle relaxants may also help relieve pain from sciatica.
