6 At-Home Treatments That Actually Help Sciatica

From hartfordhealthcare.org

That sharp, shooting pain that runs from your lower back down your leg? Classic sciatica. And it can make even simple things – like sitting, walking, or sleeping – feel impossible.

“The good news is, most people can find relief without surgery,” says Alfred Hicks, DO, a board certified orthopaedic spine surgeon with the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at Hartford HealthCare. “With some simple steps at home, you can ease the pain and help your body heal.”

If you’re wondering how to treat sciatica at home, here are six ways to start feeling better. 

1. Keep moving

When your back hurts, lying down might sound like the best idea. But too much rest can actually make things worse.

“Gentle movement helps keep your muscles from tightening up,” says Dr. Hicks. “Short walks or light stretching can reduce pressure on the nerve and improve flexibility.”

If your pain spikes, take breaks as needed – but try not to spend the whole day on the couch.

2. Try heat or ice

Temperature therapy can make a big difference.

“Ice helps reduce inflammation during the first 24 to 48 hours,” says Dr. Hicks. “After that, switch to heat – a heating pad or warm compress – to relax tight muscles and increase blood flow.”

Just don’t overdo it. Use each for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and always protect your skin with a cloth barrier. 

3. Stretch your lower back and legs

Tight muscles can make sciatica worse, so gentle stretching is key.

Focus on stretches that target your hamstrings, hips and lower back. “One great option is the figure-four stretch,” says Dr. Hicks. “It gently opens the hips and relieves pressure on the sciatic nerve.”

If you enjoy yoga, poses like child’s pose or cat-cow can also help – as long as they don’t increase your pain. These gentle movements are some of the easiest ways to treat sciatica at home and keep your body flexible while it heals.

4. Check your posture

How you sit and stand matters more than you think.

“Slouching or sitting too long puts extra pressure on your lower spine,” says Dr. Hicks. “Try to sit with your feet flat on the floor, shoulders back and your lower back supported.”

If you’re at a desk all day, take stretch breaks or use a small lumbar pillow for extra support.

5. Use over-the-counter relief wisely

For short-term relief, non-prescription medications can help manage pain and inflammation.

“Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can reduce inflammation and pain,” says Dr. Hicks. “But use them only as directed and check with your doctor first if you have other health conditions.” 

6. Give it time – and stay consistent

Most people feel better within a few weeks, but consistency matters.

“Keep up with gentle movement, stretching and good posture,” says Dr. Hicks. “These small daily habits really add up in your recovery.”

Here’s when to see your doctor

If your pain isn’t improving after a couple of weeks, or if it’s getting worse, don’t wait it out. And if you notice numbness, weakness, or trouble with bladder or bowel control, seek medical care right away.

“Sciatica is often temporary, but it can sometimes point to a more serious issue,” says Dr. Hicks. “Your doctor can pinpoint the cause and recommend treatments – like physical therapy, injections or other options – to help you heal safely.”

With a little patience and care, most people are back to moving comfortably before they know it.

https://hartfordhealthcare.org/about-us/news-press/news-detail?articleId=68449

Rising Cases of Slip Disc and Sciatica in Young Adults: What's Driving the Trend?

From onlymyhealth.com 

In the past, slip disc and sciatica were mostly seen in older people, but with time, more and more young adults in their 20s and 30s are suffering from these health issues. Back pain, leg pain and nerve problems have become quite common among youngsters as well. There is a sharp rise in these cases mainly due to unhealthy lifestyle habits and the long sitting hours without almost no physical activity.

What is Slip Disc and Sciatica

According to Informed Health Org, a German based scientific institute, many people have back pain that keeps on returning. Usually it is hard to say what the exact cause is. But pain that shoots down your leg can be a sign of a slipped disc. Slip disc in the lower back region is the major cause of sciatica.

The sciatic nerve is considered to be the longest nerve running from the lower back to the legs. If the sciatic nerve experiences dysfunction, it causes mild to severe shooting pain in the body.

Dr Shobhit Bhardwaj shares, “A slip disc (Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc or PIVD) happens when the soft cushion between the bones of the spine moves out of its place and presses on nearby nerves. When this pressure affects the sciatic nerve, it causes sciatica which leads to sharp pain tingling or numbness down the leg.”

What is causing Slip Disc and Sciatica in Young adults?

During discussion, Dr Bhardwaj mentioned that the main reason behind this trend is the modern lifestyle. Here are a few causes he shared:

Long Sitting Hours and Poor Posture

Most people now spend long hours sitting in front of computers working on laptops or using mobile phones. Poor posture, lack of movement and weak back muscles make the spine more likely to get injured. Sitting for long periods without breaks puts extra pressure on the lower back.

Wrong Exercise Habits

Some young people do not exercise at all while others suddenly start lifting heavy weights or doing high intensity workouts without proper guidance. Doing exercises with the wrong posture or without strengthening the core muscles can easily lead to back injuries.

Being Overweight And Stress

Extra body weight puts more pressure on the spine and stress causes tightness in the back muscles making the condition worse.

Other Common Reasons

Long driving hours, poor sleeping positions and dehydration are also common triggers that harm spinal health.

Prevention Tips

Dr Bhardwaj shared that most of the above problems can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes:

• Being physically active in daily life can cure most of the back problems. Regular stretching, yoga, daily walk, and light exercises help keep the spine flexible and strong.
• Maintaining correct posture while sitting, taking short breaks every hour and setting up an ergonomic workspace are very helpful.
• If you already feel pain, numbness or tingling in your back or legs it is important to see a doctor early.

Bottom line

The rise in slip disc and sciatica among young people is a warning sign. It reminds us that our spine needs daily care. A healthy back depends on simple habits such as sitting right, staying active and keeping our posture straight. With timely treatment, physiotherapy, and posture correction most cases can be cured without surgery.

FAQ

• Can a slipped disc cause sciatica?

  Yes, slipped discs in the lower back area of the spine are the main cause of sciatica.

• How do you treat a slipped disc in the sciatic nerve?

  A slipped disc can be treated with physical therapy, activity modification, and in severe cases, with injections or surgery.

• Is it Ok to walk with a slipped disc?

  Yes, it is safe to walk with a slipped disc. In many cases, doctors often suggest taking slow and long walks.
• https://www.onlymyhealth.com/slip-disc-and-sciatica-rising-cases-in-young-adults-why-the-trend-doctor-explains-12977840658
  

How To Manage Your Sciatic Pain

From cuh.nhs.uk

This leaflet is for patients with sciatica, which is the commonly used term to describe pain in your leg(s). It is often caused by a disc protrusion irritating or compressing a nerve root, although this is not always the case.

How to manage your sciatic pain

The good news is that 90% of people with sciatica will be better within three months. The most important thing you can do to help manage your sciatic pain is to stop the nerve being irritated, thereby allowing your body to heal itself. You will know when the nerve is not being irritated as you will not feel your leg pain. You need to be guided by your symptoms.

The main things you can address to help your symptoms are:

1. Maintain good posture.
2. Pace your activities.
3. Use medication.
4. Use ice or heat packs.
5. Sleep well.
6. Look after your general health and wellbeing.
7. Seek medical advice.
8. 
   

As unpleasant as sciatica is, it is not a medical emergency. However, you should seek urgent medical advice should you experience any of the following:

• altered sensation around your genital area
• difficulty passing or controlling urine
• numbness, pins and needles or weakness in both legs
• unsteadiness on your feet

1. Maintain good posture

It is important to minimise the pressure on your lumbar spine which will decrease the amount your nerve is irritated. To do this maintain your natural lumbar curve, by sitting up tall, and avoid slouching as this puts 10 times more pressure through your back than lying. Often when your sciatica is severe you will find reaching forward, bending and sitting painful, and are better standing or lying.

2. Pace your activities

Changing what you are doing, and your position, will mean that your symptoms are not aggravated as much. Whilst your symptoms may feel better lying down it is important to get up and move regularly as this will:

• allow you to heal more quickly
• prevents you from stiffening up
• prevents your muscles wasting.

We generally recommend no more than three days in bed.

You may need time off work if you are unable to do any activity for more than a few minutes in the early stages of severe sciatica. If you find yourself in this situation we recommend that you discuss this with your GP and/or therapist. It is important to try and return to normal activities as quickly as possible. You may need to consider a fit for work certificate, which indicates what you can do, and also a phased return to work.

3. Use medication

The use of medication needs to be discussed with your GP and/or pharmacist. Sciatica literally means your sciatic nerve is inflamed. As a result if you are able to take anti-inflammatory medications such as Naproxen or Diclofenac these may be helpful. However, these can cause heartburn or stomach problems; if you experience these, please consult your GP.

There are also other medications that were not invented as painkillers, but have been found to be very useful to treat nerve pain such as Amitriptyline and/or Gabapentin. Amitriptyline in particular seems to promote good sleep and is often prescribed to take at night-time to help with sleep disturbance.

If you are suffering with significant muscle spasm there are medications that can be prescribed for a few days to help. It is important that if you are prescribed medication, you take it if needed as it will keep you moving.

These medications do not mask your symptoms but treat them.

4. Use ice or heat packs

Whilst it would seem that ice packs would be helpful to treat inflammation, some people find that heat is more effective for them as this can relieve muscle spasm. If you use either, please ensure the sensation in your back is normal. Wrapping a damp towel around a bag of frozen peas works as well as an ice pack. A hot water bottle is also an effective heat pack. Alternatively you can buy both from pharmacies.

5. Sleep well

It is extremely important to sleep well as your body releases its growth hormone ‘repair factor’ (when your body heals itself) during sleep. Poor sleep has even been found to cause back pain. Sleep is often disturbed by pain, and therefore ensuring that all factors that can affect sleep are addressed is important (caffeine, noise, light, anxieties, mattress, pillows, temperature and so on). Sometimes it is necessary to take medication to help you sleep whilst you have sciatica and people often find that the nerve medication helps with this.

6. Look after your general health and wellbeing

Looking after your general health gives your body the best chance to heal itself. The fitter you are, the stronger your body is, and, with a better blood supply, your body can focus on healing your sciatica. If you are very stressed and/or depressed this will impair your body’s ability to heal itself.

7. Seek appropriate medical advice

If you are suffering with sciatica we recommend that you consult your GP for appropriate advice, where pain medication can be prescribed as necessary. Your GP may also feel that you would benefit from physiotherapy. A physiotherapist can advise you on how to manage your condition, recommend exercises and use manual therapy techniques to help speed up your recovery.

If your symptoms fail to improve with medication, advice and physiotherapy, it may be appropriate to see a specialist for a further opinion. Your physiotherapist can advise you about this. You might benefit from an epidural which is a steroid injection into the space next to where your nerves are irritated. Occasionally, when there is an identifiable cause to your symptoms which have not responded to other treatments surgery might be required.

https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/sciatica/ 

Sciatica is rising among young professionals due to desk jobs

From health.medicaldialogues.in 

For years, sciatica was seen as a condition affecting older adults, linked to age-related spinal degeneration. Sciatica happens when irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression affects one or more nerves that run down the lower back and into the legs. Once considered a problem of the elderly, nowadays young professionals are facing this too, mainly due to long hours on laptops, poor posture, and sedentary lifestyles, causing these shooting pains. Pain that is often ignored as ‘just back pain’ is now affecting a generation that spends more time sitting than sleeping. Let us see what the reason is.

Why sciatica is growing among youngsters? In today’s work culture, marathon meetings and endless screen time have become a daily part of life. But sitting for too long, especially with poor posture, puts pressure on the lower spine and the sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back down to both of the legs. Over time, this lifestyle can cause irritation or firmness of the nerve. Additionally, the stress of tight deadlines, absence of physical activities, and comfortable work setups that are not so effective for maintaining nerve health are the most appropriate reasons for nerve trouble.

Especially, young and fit professionals are facing issues with weak core muscles and strains in the lower back, leading to sciatica. What are the signs to watch out for? If anyone ever felt a sharp, radiating pain down the leg after hours at the desk, their body may be warning you to take charge. 

● Continuous Pain in Lower Back and Leg: If sitting for long periods leads to pain and stiffness in your lower back, then this could be a sign of a serious problem. A dull pain shooting up more deeply from the lower back area to the thigh, calf, or even foot is also not healthy.

● Tingling or Numbness: Experiencing a "pins and needles" feeling, or if the foot or leg becomes partially numb, it could be due to the fact that the nerve is being irritated. 

● Weakness in One Leg: Facing difficulty in standing, walking, or lifting the foot properly can be due to a situation of nerve pressure, which needs to be treated. How can it be treated? Managing sciatica means relieving pressure on the nerve as well as improving body posture. Early intervention with physiotherapy and physical activities like walking or yoga can help to make the spine and core stronger.

How can it be treated? Managing sciatica means relieving pressure on the nerve as well as improving body posture. Early intervention with physiotherapy and physical activities like walking or yoga can help to make the spine and core stronger.

Applying hot or cold compresses helps to get rid of inflammation and pain-relieving drugs that can ease the intense discomfort and pain. Surgical procedures such as endoscopic discectomy/microdiscectomy, which is a minimally invasive surgery, are done to relieve nerves being compressed in extreme conditions. Most importantly, small daily habits like proper diet and rest can make a world of difference. Sciatica is no longer an old person’s problem and is becoming an occupational danger for the modern age youth. By listening to the body and prioritizing small movements, long-term nerve damage can be prevented. After all, no one should risk their health, as a fit body will eventually lead to better performance at work.

Dr Mukesh Haritwal is a leading spine surgeon and Head of the Department at Manipal Hospitals, with over 13 years of expertise in orthopaedics and spine surgery. Renowned for his proficiency in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine procedures, he has successfully performed more than 5,000 surgeries, treating a wide range of spinal conditions such as trauma, deformities, infections, degenerative disorders, tumours, and congenital abnormalities.

https://health.medicaldialogues.in/health/not-just-age-how-long-hours-at-the-desk-are-triggering-sciatica-in-young-professionals-dr-mukesh-haritwal-157985?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Is it back pain or sciatica? Here’s what to look for

From clickondetroit.com

A sharp jolt of pain that shoots from your lower back down your leg. A burning or tingling sensation that makes it uncomfortable to sit, stand or sleep. For many people, it’s not ordinary back pain; it could be sciatica.

According to Dr. Mahmoud Sabbagh, a pain management physician at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM), sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or inflamed.

“Something pressing on the nerve can cause pain in the lower back going down the leg,” he explained.

Some people may also experience numbness, tingling, burning, spasms or cramping that feels like a Charlie horse. Symptoms can look different from person to person and don’t always appear all at once.

What causes sciatica?

One of the most common causes Sabbagh sees is a bulging or herniated disc that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Arthritis and spinal stenosis -- when the space around the nerve narrows -- can also irritate the sciatic nerve over time. 

Lifestyle and work routines may increase your risk, as well. Sitting for long periods, especially in jobs like trucking, puts pressure on the spine. Lifting heavy objects without proper form, weaker core muscles and carrying extra body weight can also strain the lower back.

As many as 40% of people in the U.S. will have sciatica during their life, and it becomes more frequent as we age.

When to pay attention

Mild cases may improve with rest, stretching or over-the-counter medication.

However, Sabbagh recommended seeing a provider if the pain:

• Lasts more than a few days.
• Doesn’t improve with basic at-home care.
• Starts to affect sleep, mobility or daily routines.

“Waiting too long can make treatment harder and limit options,” he said.

As many as 40% of people in the U.S. will have sciatica during their life, and it becomes more frequent as we age. (Detroit Medical Center)

Treatment options

Care usually begins with the least invasive steps.

“We always begin with the simplest approach,” Sabbagh said.

Treatment may include:

• Avoiding movements that add pressure to the nerve.
• Guided home exercises or physical therapy.
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication.

If pain makes walking, sitting or standing difficult, a steroid injection may be considered to help reduce inflammation.

One misconception Sabbagh hears often is that injections are something patients will need repeatedly.

“Our goal is always one,” he said.

If symptoms return, the treatment plan is re-evaluated.

Surgery is rare and only explored when other options have not helped.

Why early care matters

Sciatica doesn’t have to become a long-term issue. Recognizing symptoms early and getting evaluated when the pain lingers can make a meaningful difference in comfort, mobility and overall quality of life.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/sponsored/2025/10/21/is-it-back-pain-or-sciatica-heres-what-to-look-for/

Understanding the Last Stages of Sciatica: Symptoms, Treatment Options, and Recovery

From emergeortho.com

Sciatica back pain is a type of pain that begins in the back and often radiates down the leg as it worsens. The last stages of sciatica can be very painful and have a debilitating impact on mobility. Getting expert medical care for sciatica is essential for managing pain, getting relief, and being able to function normally and comfortably.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain that begins in the lower back and radiates down the leg and even as far as the foot. This is caused by the compression of nerves in the spine that make up the sciatic nerve. These nerves form a bundle in the lower back. Pain from sciatica often begins in the buttocks or hips and then later travels down the leg.

A common cause of classic sciatica is a ruptured, or herniated, disc in the spine. The ruptured part of the disc presses on nerves causing inflammation and pain. The pain is constant, no matter how you move or position yourself.

Thickened bone or bone spurs can also press on the nerves and cause sciatica pain, also known as positional sciatica. This causes pain mostly when standing and walking. You should feel relief when you sit or bend at the waist.

What Are the 4 Stages of Sciatica?

Sciatica does not necessarily progress the same way in all patients. While there are no firmly defined stages of sciatica, it may get worse over time or get better and then recur. Patients may experience:

• Early or Acute Sciatica. In the earliest stage, sciatica pain may be acute, meaning it comes on suddenly. Many people experience only back pain in the earliest stages of sciatica and do not seek treatment.
• Worsening Pain. Early sciatica left untreated can advance to more severe pain and pain that radiates past the lower back, into the hips or buttocks, down the leg, or as far as into the foot.
• Chronic Pain. For some patients, sciatica pain and discomfort becomes chronic. The pain may fluctuate from better to worse and back.
• Recurring Sciatica. Even after treatment or using conservative pain management and recovering from sciatica, it can recur later.

Symptoms in the Last Stages of Sciatica

Back pain is a typical early sign of sciatica. As it progresses to the last stages, the pain often radiates down the leg and into the foot. This can become severe and interfere with normal functioning. Additional symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot. In most people, sciatica affects one side of the body only.

How To Manage Advanced Sciatica Pain

Sciatica pain can become severe and even debilitating, interfering with normal mobility and activities. Before opting for surgical treatment, your orthopaedist might recommend some conservative pain management strategies to keep you comfortable while waiting for the injury to heal:

• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as Tylenol
• Prescription anti-inflammatories and oral steroids
• Steroid injections
• Physical therapy

Physical therapy is especially useful in helping manage pain with sciatica before resorting to surgery. Targeted exercises help train the body to function better with pinched nerves. Physical therapy can also support healing and relieve pressure on the compressed nerve.

Surgical Treatment Options for Sciatica

Orthopaedists generally prefer to begin treatment for sciatica with conservative treatments to allow the body to heal. Patients with advanced sciatica and severe pain that they cannot tolerate or function with are often good candidates for surgical procedures:

• Laminotomy. This procedure involves removing a small amount of the lamina. The lamina is the bony arch over the spinal cord to relieve pressure on a nerve.
• Laminectomy. In a laminectomy, the surgeon moves all of the lamina. This is more extensive than a laminotomy and usually requires more recovery time.
• Discectomy. This is a procedure used to treat a herniated disc by removing the part of the disc causing nerve compression. A microdiscectomy is less invasive, uses a smaller incision, and requires less recovery time.

If surgery is appropriate for you, your surgeon will discuss the procedure best for your situation. They may combine a laminotomy or laminectomy with a discectomy for better results. Recovery from any of these procedures can be a couple of months but most often leads to less pain and improved mobility.

Early intervention for sciatica is best because it allows you to get relief from pain and supports your body’s natural healing. Getting treated before you have advanced, severe sciatica does not mean you have to have surgery. Your orthopaedist will discuss the best option with you.

https://emergeortho.com/news/last-stages-of-sciatica-treatment/ 

What should you do when sciatica flares?

From health.harvard.edu

By Heidi Godman

These options can help calm the searing pain of an irritated sciatic nerve

People with diagnosed sciatica have no trouble recognizing a flare-up. It strikes as numbness, tingling, or pain in the buttock and down the leg, caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve, which begins in the spine and travels downward into the leg.

While it's easy to identify a flare-up, it's trickier to tamp it down. It may take a combination of approaches to ease discomfort.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the term for discomfort caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts at each side of the low back and extends down through the buttocks, back of the thigh, and lower leg.

Irritation usually occurs in the spine, with one of the nerve roots that eventually form the sciatic nerve. Anything pressing against a nerve root — such as a bony growth from arthritis in the spine or a bulging disc in between the spinal bones — can inflame the nerve root and send pain, numbness, or tingling all the way down one of the sciatic nerves.

"If you've never had it before, it's common to worry that you may have damaged your sciatic nerve. It's usually more of an irritation, however, as opposed to an outright injury," says Dr. Max Epstein, a physiatrist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. "But if you also experience muscle weakness or significant changes to your bowel or bladder habits, that could be a sign of nerve damage. In either case, you should speak to a health care provider as soon as possible."

Pill-free approaches

Coping with sciatica discomfort starts with pill-free strategies that you can try immediately.

Stay active. One of the most important things you can do when sciatica flares is to avoid bed rest. "Part of low back pain is muscle-related, possibly because muscles surrounding the irritated nerve roots tighten and try to protect the area. Movement keeps the muscles loose and working correctly. If you don't move, they can get tight and increase pain," says Dr. Max Epstein, a physiatrist at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Modify activities. If activity is painful, do only what you can tolerate. "Think of a green, yellow, or red zone of pain. The green zone is a mild amount of pain while doing an activity. That's okay. But if you get into the yellow zone, it's time to pull back and modify an activity," Dr. Epstein says. "For example, if it hurts to carry a full laundry basket, take out a few things. Or if it's painful to stand at the sink and do dishes, open the cabinet below the sink and rest your foot on the bottom of the cabinet. That will take tension off the nerve."

Stretch. Keep the muscles loose and limber with gentle stretching, but only within the green zone of pain. For example, you might stand and try to touch your toes to stretch your back and leg muscles. Or try some yoga poses. Dr. Epstein recommends the cat-cow: Get down on all fours, with your hands directly beneath your shoulders and your knees beneath your hips. Inhale and lift your head and tailbone toward the ceiling, while curving your lower spine toward the floor. As you exhale, round your back, bringing your chin toward your chest and tucking your tailbone under. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

Use hot or cold therapy. Hot or cold therapy for sciatica can take many forms. For example, you might soak in a warm bath or apply a hot pack or a cold pack to your leg or back. "What works for one person might not work for another, so you may have to experiment to see what's best for you," Dr. Epstein says. How does it help sciatica? "Heat may loosen muscles, and cold may tamp down inflammation, but we don't know for sure," Dr. Epstein explains.

Relaxation. Staying relaxed is an important part of controlling both acute pain (the kind that's sudden and temporary) or chronic (ongoing) pain.

"All pain is processed in the mind. If you're able to calm the processing centres, the perception of pain may decrease," Dr. Epstein says. He recommends trying breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or tai chi. Practicing mindfulness — focusing attention on the present moment — might also help ease discomfort by helping you to accept it.

Drugstore remedies

Several over-the-counter remedies can also play a part in relieving sciatica.

Oral painkillers. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) help reduce inflammation, which reduces pain. But they may cause stomach ulcers and bleeding, liver or kidney damage, or an increased risk of heart attacks. So get your doctor's okay before using them, and find out the dose and frequency that's safe for you.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often less effective at relieving sciatica pain than NSAIDs, but it's also less risky — unless you take it in very high doses, which can cause liver damage. The usual limit is no more than 3,000 milligrams (mg) per day, but your doctor might set a lower limit depending on your health.

Topical painkillers. Applying painkillers to your skin as creams, gels, or patches can also bring sciatica relief. Topical NSAIDs such as diclofenac gel (Voltaren) may have fewer risks than NSAID pills, since topicals stay close to the site of application and aren't well absorbed by the rest of the body. But it's still wise to check with your doctor before using them. Other types of topicals with fewer risks than NSAIDs include creams, sprays, and patches that contain anaesthetics such as lidocaine; pain signal interrupters such as menthol or capsaicin; or arnica gel, an herbal remedy thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. 

Turmeric supplements. Turmeric (a golden-yellow spice) contains curcumin, which appears to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. "Although there have not yet been studies that prove its benefit, it's the one supplement that I would support for pain relief. There's no clear recommendation for dosage, but 1,000 mg per day might help. You can take it all at once or break it up into morning and evening doses," Dr. Epstein says.

Call your doctor

A typical flare-up lasts for a few days to a week or two. If it's not improving or responding to home remedies, it's time to make an appointment with your doctor.

Your doctor might order imaging tests and prescribe a prescription anti-inflammatory drug, such as oral or injected prednisone. "That will buy you a window of time to strengthen muscles without pain, and keep them flexible," Dr. Epstein says. "That will help keep your body strong and protected, so you'll be in a better place than where you started."

What if you don't reach out for help? "At times the nerve stays irritated for years," Dr. Epstein says. "So try not to delay treatment. Usually our interventions are able to put out the fire or at least calm the severity of the symptoms in a meaningful way."

If you'd like more information, check out the Harvard Special Health Report Finding Relief for Sciatica (/frfsc).

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/what-should-you-do-when-sciatica-flares