Sciatica is a condition beginning in the lower back. It then travels down through the buttocks and down the sciatic nerve, down the sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Many people experience leg pain and on occasion, a tingling, numbness or weakness in the leg, according to Stephen H. Hochschuler, M.D., of Spine-Health. In many cases, sciatica improves on its own over a period of a few weeks or months.
Treat It With Ice
Sciatica causes inflammation to occur around the nerve, resulting in pain and discomfort. To help reduce this inflammation and alleviate the pain, apply ice packs throughout the day. The Mayo Clinic recommends wrapping an ice pack in a towel, placing it on the painful areas up to 20 minutes at a time. Remove these packs for 20 minutes, but repeat as many times a day as necessary. The website Sciatica Treatment.org states this treatment should be used during the first 48 hours before trying another.
Switch to Heat
In most cases people use ice first, but as Dr. Hochschuler of Spine-Health explains, some find heat more effective. The Mayo Clinic recommends using some form of heat two to three days after sciatica pain begins--this can be a heating pad on its lowest setting, a hot pack or heating lamp. Just as with ice packs, apply the heat pack for 20 minutes at a time. If no relief is achieved, Hochschuler explains that ice and heat packs can be alternated.
Take Pain Medications
While it is always better to speak to a doctor before taking any medication, especially when suffering from pre-existing health conditions, over-the-counter pain relievers can provide great relief for those experiencing sciatica.
As the Mayo Clinic explains, these pain relievers either treat only the pain, such as acetaminophen, while others relieve the pain and reduce inflammation, such as ibuprofen. Be aware that whatever pain reliever you choose will only relieve the pain to a certain extent and is not a cure-all for your condition. In addition these drugs do have side effects when taken excessively. Acetaminophen can cause damage to the liver while ibuprofen can result in stomach bleeding, ulcers and nausea.
Try Stretching
The cause of sciatica is nerve root compression, the nerve that connects to the sciatic nerve, according to Hochschuler. Stretching, as the Mayo Clinic explains, may help relieve this compression, thus relieving the pain.
A hamstring stretch is typically an important part of a stretching routine for sciatica, as it stretches the back of the thigh. To perform, sit on the floor placing the right leg straight out with the left foot over the knee. With the back straight, lean forward reaching toward the extended foot until a stretch is felt in the hamstring. Switch sides and repeat. The website BigBackPain.com recommends holding a stretch for 60 to 90 seconds; however, when holding a stretch for 30 seconds, a person should perform two to three repetitions.
Incorporate Daily Exercise
Incorporating a daily exercise routine encourages the brain to release endorphins, chemical messengers that have pain relieving abilities similar to those of the drug morphine. While exercise may be the last thing those in pain may be thinking of, the Mayo Clinic states it may actually be one of the best defense against the pain their sciatica is causing. Low-impact exercises are the best choice, as they promote activity without making the symptoms worse. These include water exercises, walking and riding a stationary bike.
