From EmedicineHealth.com:
Sciatica Treatment
Self-Care at Home
Pain from sciatica often limits your activities. Here are some home treatments for sciatica:
* Do not bend, lift, or sit in a soft, low chair; your pain will get worse.
* Unless you are allergic or should not take them for other reasons (if you take a blood thinner such as Coumadin, for example), over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin (Bufferin or Bayer Aspirin), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) will probably help ease the pain.
* Try a cold pack to see if it helps the pain. If you don’t have a cold pack, use a large bag of frozen vegetables; it makes a good first aid cold pack. Or have someone close to you massage you in a triangular pattern with an ice cube over the sore areas. The person should move the ice cube if your skin gets too cold (this may melt several ice cubes).
o After the cold massages, try alternating with heat from an electric heating pad to see if it helps the pain. (Do not sleep with a heating pad on your back. It could cause a bad burn.)
o If you don’t have an electric heating pad, put a hand towel under hot water, wring it out, and place it on your back. Some physical therapy experts believe that moist heat penetrates more deeply and gives better relief of pain. (Do not use wet packs with your electric heating pad because electrical shock may result.)
* You may feel better lying on your back on a firm surface with a pillow under your knees. Another option is lying on your side with a pillow between your knees to keep your back straight. Also, you might find that a recliner chair is helpful.
* Take it easy, but do not lie in bed for longer than two days because this has been shown to actually worsen the condition. Do activities you are able to tolerate, and do not expect to feel better overnight.
Sciatica Medications
If you are suffering from sciatica, the doctor will almost certainly prescribe or give you some medication for the pain. If your pain is severe, you may need strong medicine such as a narcotic (Codeine, Vicodin, morphine) for relief.
Sciatica Surgery
If, despite doing everything you are instructed to do, the pain continues and your CT or MRI shows a problem with the disc or bone, you may need back surgery. This should not be performed until you have tried all other methods of treatment, and you should probably get at least two opinions before deciding on surgery as a last resort.
Other Therapy
* Physical therapy is often prescribed for sciatica.
* You may receive special instructions from your doctor on dealing with back pain. Some suggest complete bed rest — getting up only to go to the bathroom. Others suggest you sleep on the floor or put a board under your mattress for support. Some will tell you to use heat, others cold. You may also get information with pictures of back exercises and stretches you are expected to start when the pain improves. (These patient education sheets come from different sources and may have conflicting information.)
* Current research recommends that you stay active, within limits imposed by your pain. If you can avoid reinjuring yourself, you should try to stay at work. If the pain forces you to rest, do so, but avoid staying in bed just because you have back pain.
* If you are not improving after a week or 10 days, talk with your doctor about alternative therapies. Millions of people get some relief by visiting physical therapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors. Others find that relaxation techniques and acupuncture work for them.
* Studies have shown that exercise therapy is helpful to treat back pain that persists for more than a few weeks. Good exercises for sciatica include walking, yoga, Pilates, and other specialized exercise programs.
* Recent studies in Europe and Scotland show that injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) gives relief to many people suffering from long-term sciatica. There are, thus far, not enough cases or completed studies to make this more than an experimental procedure.
Follow-up
Common sense should tell you what to do.
* Continue the simple home care measures for easing the pain. Use pain medicines, both over the counter and those prescribed for you by your doctor.
* Avoid reinjuring yourself. Pain will be your guide. If you hurt too much, back off on what you are doing and rest. Go slowly, if necessary, but try to keep active.
* Using a cane or a crutch for support will be helpful until the pain is under control.
Sciatica Prevention
* Proper lifting techniques in keeping your back straight while bending your knees to pick up items often help avoid mechanical back problems.
* Keep flexibility and muscle tone by performing stretching exercises. These will help keep your back from bothering you. Maintaining your weight within your recommended limits for your height will go a long way to maintaining a healthy back as well.