Sciatica is a group of symptoms that occur when a a lower back problem--such as a herniated disc--compresses the nerve root connecting to the sciatic nerve, according to Stephen H. Hochschuler, M.D., of Spine-Health. These symptoms include a constant pain on one side of the buttock, a burning or tingling down the leg and and a pain in the leg that becomes worse when you sit. For most people, these symptoms improve over time using non-surgical methods of pain relief. Others, however, require more in-depth medical attention, as their symptoms are debilitating.
Step 1
Alternate cold packs and hot packs. For the first two or three days, cold packs can help relieve the pain accompanying sciatica. MayoClinic.com recommends wrapping either an ice pack or a pack of frozen vegetables in a dry towel and applying it to the area causing you pain; this helps relieve inflammation, thus relieving the pain. Hold it in place for 20 minutes, then reapply every two hours throughout the day, as Hochschuler suggests. After this initial period, begin applying heat packs such as a heat lamp or heating pad set on low. This improves circulation to the area, increasing the speed at which the area heals. For more effective pain relief, alternate the hot and cold packs.
Step 2
Take over-the-counter pain medications. Acetaminophen helps relieve the pain, while ibuprofen relieves both the inflammation surrounding the nerve and the pain it causes. Both have drawbacks; the acetaminophen can cause liver damage when taken excessively over a long period of time, while the ibuprofen can lead to stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking either of these medications if you currently take a prescription for a pre-existing health condition.
Step 3
Begin exercising. Hochschuler explains that while it is understandable to rest for the first day or two, anything beyond that can worsen the symptoms of your sciatica. Although you may be in pain, beginning a low-impact exercise routine not only nourishes the body with the nutrients it needs to heal, it also releases endorphins, the body's natural pain killer. Hochschuler recommends activities such as walking and swimming to achieve these goals.
Step 4
Talk to your doctor about a prescription medication. If you have a more severe case of sciatica, you may require a stronger pain medication. A variety of medications are available, among which are muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants. All of these drugs help relieve chronic sciatica pain.
Step 5
Go for an injection. You may want to consider an epidural steroid injection, a procedure in which the doctor injects a corticosteroid medication into the area causing you pain. These medications help suppress the inflammation of the nerve, which ultimately relieves your pain. MayoClinic.com warns that these treatments are only a short-term solution, and the doctor must limit the number of injections you can receive because of their possible side effects.
Things You'll Need
- Hot pack
- Cold pack
- Pain medication
