Sciatic pain, also known as sciatica, occurs in the sciatic nerve, which reaches from the lower back down the back of each leg. Pain in the sciatic nerve is a symptom of an injury to the nerve itself. It may feel like a dull ache or a sharp shooting pain and may include weakness or numbness in parts of the legs or buttocks. Sciatica may be cause by muscle damage, an injury to the spine, spinal tumors or degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis.
Step 1
Apply a cold ice pack to the painful area of the back or leg several times each day for the first few days of experiencing sciatic pain. Leave the ice on the area for at least 20 minutes each time.
Step 2
Replace the cold pack with a heating pad after the third day of sciatic pain. Use the heating pad three or four times a day for about 20 minutes each time.
Step 3
Do stretching exercises designed to ease compression of the nerve several times each day. One exercise that works on the piniformis muscle is to sit with one leg extended forward. Grasp the other leg's ankle and bend the knee, pulling the ankle in toward the chest. Hold this stretch for at least 30 seconds.
Step 4
Sleep on your side in a fetal position. Place a pillow between your legs. Alternately, you can sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees.
Step 5
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce pain if cooling, heating and stretches are not working. Aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are all good pain relievers for sciatic pain, but talk to a doctor before using them since they can produce side effects if used for long periods of time.
Step 6
Try acupuncture or chiropractic care to reduce back pain caused by sciatica. According to MayoClinic.com, these methods have shown promise in some small clinical trials, but need more study. Consult with a licensed acupuncturist or chiropractor to determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Step 7
Ask your doctor about corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation around the sciatic nerve. These injections are typically only considered after home remedies have failed.
Tips and Warnings
- Work with your doctor to determine the underlying cause of sciatic pain, since the only way to prevent its recurrence is to heal the problem causing it. Avoid prolonged sitting and lying, since these can increase sciatic pain.
Things You'll Need
- Cold ice pack
- Heating pad
- Pillow
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
