The best treatment for sciatica is to stay active. Often it will improve within a few days or weeks.
Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs may be effective in relieving sciatic pain. If your symptoms are mild to moderate, over-the-counter medication will work as well as prescription medicine, with fewer side effects.
Heat and cold may also relieve symptoms of sciatica. Apply a cold pad to the point of pain within the first 48 hours the symptoms occur. If the pain persists, apply a heating pad or take a hot shower.
Consult a doctor if the pain does not go away or if legs become numb. A physician can perform a Computerized Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. These tests will reveal if a disk is squeezing the sciatic nerve, or whether there is blood or tissue damage.
Surgery usually does not alleviate symptoms of sciatica. Surgery to relieve back pain has been shown to be helpful in only one of 100 patients and may cause more problems than it solves.
