Early treatment for "sciatica" should begin with unloading the spine. By taking the pressure off the sensitive nerves of the spine that, when irritated, cause a shooting pain down the leg, you can gain control of Sciatica pain without medications.

One method to unload the spine is with the use of zero-gravity chairs. Used periodicallly throughout the day, these chairs really do help people with all types of spine-related pains like sciatica.

Another way to unload the spine is with auto-tractioning techniques like hanging from a doorway or laying over an exercise ball or leaning over a high countertop. If you are not sure what I am talking about, see a physical therapist.

With a little pressure relief every 1-2 hours during the day, the sciatica pain should start to diminish.

Dr. Christina Lasich, MD