Sciatica Home Treatments

Though often thought of as a separate condition, sciatica is actually a pain resulting from an entirely different disorder. Most of the time, this pain is caused by pressure placed on the sciatic nerve from a herniated or ruptured disk. But since the pain manifests down one of your legs, people often believe it to be something else. Fortunately, you don't need to simply suffer with this pain, as there are a number of things you can do at home to bring about relief.

Rest

• When you first suffer from sciatica, rest your back. Resting can help alleviate some of the initial pain you are feeling. But don't simply take to your bed and wait for the pain to pass. With sciatica, prolonged periods of rest can actually make the pain worse, so take it easy the first couple of days and then get back to your normal activities.

Ice and Heat

• While sciatica isn't a condition itself, the injury causing this painful sensation responds well to ice, especially at the very onset of the condition. Apply ice to the area of injury, which is usually the lumbar region of the back, to lessen the inflammation of the disk and reduce sciatic pain. After at least 48 hours, start to swap out the ice with intervals of heat. By heating the area, you reduce pain and can aid in healing the herniation. Both ice and heat should be applied for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen and aspirin, can go a long way to lessening inflammation and diminishing the signs of pain. As soon as you experience sciatic pain, take the recommended dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) to treat the swelling and pain. Of course, severe sciatic pain often experiences only a subtle change with these types of medications, and you may need to consult with a doctor for a prescription form of pain relief.

Exercise

• As you deal with your sciatica, it is very important to continue (or start) exercising. Not only can it lessen pain, but also speed up your recovery time. At the very onset of the pain, start off with some simple stretching exercise. Stretching can relieve pressure on the nerve that is causing the sciatic pain, but make sure to take it slow and listen to your body.

  After a few days, implement low-impact activities, such as swimming, biking or walking. Even if you can only accomplish your chosen athletic pursuit for ten minutes, you're still helping yourself stay fit and getting yourself that much closer to recovery. As time goes by, include more physical exertion into your fitness routine, like aerobics or jogging. But make sure to incorporate exercises that work your core (both the abdominals and the back) as well as strengthening and conditioning.

Consultation

• Since sciatica is often a result of a herniated disk, consult with your family physician. Doctors and other medical professionals can diagnose the severity of the herniation and set in place the proper course of care. Even if the treatment falls along these same lines, it's always best to talk to your doctor before treating any sort of injury.