Can I Manage Sciatica with IV Therapy?

If you have experienced an unusual or painful sensation in your lower back, hips, and legs after particularly strenuous exercise or other physical activities, your primary care physician may diagnose you with sciatica.

You can manage sciatica with IV therapy in conjunction with exercise as well as other pain management treatments and procedures.

Find out what sciatica is, what causes it, and how IV therapy may assist in recovering from this chronic pain condition.

What Is Sciatica and What Causes It?

Sciatica is a painful condition caused by inflammation and irritation of the sciatic nerve. This major nerve starts in your spine and runs through your hips, buttocks, and down each leg.

While you might experience lower back and leg pain, the inflammation is most likely located in your spine where the sciatic nerve is trapped or pinched.

Symptoms of sciatica are generally located in your lower back and legs, and include:

• burning
• numbness
• sharp pain

While a partial loss of mobility can be expected, it is important that you remain active in order to reduce the symptoms of sciatica. It may seem counterproductive but lying down for extended periods may worsen sciatica and prolong your healing.

How Does IV Therapy Reduce Pain?

IV therapy is a nutrient-dense hydration or infusion treatment that targets chronic conditions like fibromyalgia pain, headaches, migraines, and muscle cramps.

What Is IV Therapy?

IV hydration and vitamin therapy, or intravenous nutrient therapy (INT), is a treatment first developed by Dr. John Myers.

Modern INT is a modified version of the Myers cocktail that contains six key vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6 and B12
• Vitamin B Complex (Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin)
• Zinc
• Magnesium Chloride
• Calcium Gluconate.

How Does IV Therapy Work?

IV therapy works by increasing the number of nutrients associated with key metabolic processes to support tissue regeneration and lower inflammation.

Every ingredient in the modified Myers cocktail administered during IV therapy has a specific purpose:

• Vitamin C supports muscle, bone, and blood vessel health and improves immunity.
• Vitamin B12 increases energy levels and promotes blood cell and nerve health.
• Vitamin B complex also increases energy levels by supporting cell metabolism and increasing the number of red blood cells.
• Zinc is effective against infection and promotes tissue repair after an injury.
• Magnesium also increases energy levels, supports muscle and nerve function, and can reduce the symptoms of migraine.
• Glutathione act as an antioxidant.

This quick outpatient procedure lasts 30 to 45 minutes and can be performed at clinics like the Lone Star Pain Medicine center in Weatherford, Texas.

Effects of IV Therapy on Sciatica

The effects of IV therapy on sciatica can include the following:

• Increase energy levels to allow you to exercise and improve the overall health of the sciatic nerve.
• Improved red blood cell counts and nerve health to heal the sciatic nerve.
• Promotion of tissue repair after sciatic nerve damage.

IV therapy is a non-invasive procedure that can be administered as a single infusion or on an ongoing basis.

Final Thoughts

Chronic pain conditions often have multiple causes and may require a variety of approaches to tackle these causes.

IV therapy is an assistive treatment and it can be used effectively with other pain management procedures such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI).

Regaining your mobility and improving your quality of life requires a team effort. Be sure to discuss and review available options with your primary care physician and pain management team.