Sciatic pain, also known as sciatica pain, is a type of nerve pain that starts in the lower back and travels through the hips, buttocks and down one or both legs. The pain happens when the sciatic nerve is irritated or pressed on, often causing a sharp or burning pain, cramping, tingling or weakness. Simple everyday activities like walking or sitting can become very uncomfortable. The good news is there are ways to manage sciatic pain and feel better fast.

What Is Sciatic Pain?

Sciatic pain occurs when something puts pressure on the spinal nerves connected to the sciatic nerve. This pressure can be caused by:

• Herniated disks: Where a disk in your spine bulges out
• Bone spurs: Small growths on the spine
• Spinal stenosis narrowing: When the space around your spinal cord narrows

“Sciatic pain usually feels sharp or like an electric shock,” says Dr. Andrew Castro, board-certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeon with the Beaufort Memorial Advanced Orthopedics and Spine Program. “Sometimes, it may cause tingling, like pins and needles or numbness in your leg.”

Sciatic pain can range from mild to severe and may last a few days or weeks, depending on the cause of the nerve pressure. Certain risk factors make sciatic pain more likely, such as:

• Lifting heavy objects incorrectly
• Sitting for long periods without moving
• Being overweight or having weak muscles

Read More: What Does a Herniated Disc Feel Like?

How to Relieve Sciatic Pain at Home

If your sciatic pain is mild or recent, there are several things you can try at home to find immediate relief from sciatic pain:

1. Use Ice or Heat

Apply an ice pack to the painful area for 15–20 minutes at a time. This can reduce swelling and help relieve the pain. Wait 15-20 minutes between ice applications. Or, after a day or two, try switching to a heating pad to relax your muscles and improve blood flow. You can also alternate cold packs and heat for better relief. Find what works best for you.

2. Gentle Stretches

Stretching can help ease tight muscles and lessen pressure on the sciatic nerve. Try stretches like the clamshell stretch or standing hamstring stretch. These stretches can reduce pain and improve movement.

3. Take Over-the-Counter Medications

Non-prescription anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can reduce pain and swelling. Always follow the instructions on the label. If your pain persists, your provider might suggest a muscle relaxer medication to ease muscle spasms. Please check with your provider before beginning any new medication.

4. Avoid Sitting Too Long

While resting is important, sitting for long periods of time can worsen your sciatic pain. Try to take short walks or stand and gently stretch every 30 minutes. If walking is painful, lie down with a pillow under your knees for support.

Read More: 4 Exercises That May Help Relieve Sciatic Pain

When to See Your Health Care Provider

Sometimes, sciatic pain may not respond to over-the-counter treatments and stretches at home. You should contact your health care provider if:

• Your pain lasts more than a week or keeps getting worse
• You have weakness or tingling in your legs
• You lose control of your bowel or bladder

These symptoms could mean that there is more pressure on your spinal cord or nerves, and you’ll need medical treatment to prevent long-term issues.

What Are the Treatment Options for Sciatic Pain?

If your pain doesn’t improve with at-home care, your health care provider may recommend one or more of these treatments:

• Physical therapy: A physical therapist can show you exercises to strengthen your back and important core muscles. This helps reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and prevents future pain.
• Steroid injections: Steroid injections can reduce swelling and ease nerve pain.
• Medications: Providers may prescribe stronger medications for sciatic pain, such as muscle relaxers for spasms and nerve block medications that target the source of the pain
• Surgery: Treating sciatic pain with surgery may be needed if sciatica is caused by a herniated disk, bone spurs or another condition that compresses the sciatic nerve. Surgery is usually a last resort if other treatments don’t work.

Alternative Therapies for Sciatic Pain

Some people find relief with alternative therapies, such as:

• Acupuncture: Stimulating blood flow and endorphins at certain points in the body to improve pain
• Massage therapy: Easing muscle tension near the sciatic nerve and for relaxation

These alternative therapies for sciatic pain can be used along with traditional treatments for better results.

How to Prevent Sciatic Pain

Preventing sciatic pain is easier than treating it. These tips can help protect your spine and lower your risk of injury:

• Lift safely: Bend your knees, not your back, when picking up heavy objects
• Improve posture: Sit and stand with your back straight to avoid strain
• Stay active: Regular exercise strengthens your core muscles, which support your spine
• Avoid sitting too long: Take breaks to stretch or walk around if you sit a lot for work
• Quit smoking: Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in your body that your spine needs and can increase the risk of disc degeneration
• Get enough sleep: Sleep on a comfortable mattress, avoid sleeping on your stomach, and use supportive pillows or wedge cushions to ease pressure on your spine

If you have back pain frequently, it’s important to identify the cause as soon as possible.

When Should You See a Specialist?

For long-lasting or severe sciatic pain, seeing a specialist is the best way to find relief. At Beaufort Memorial, our orthopedic spine specialists can diagnose the cause of your pain and recommend the right treatments for you.

Sciatic pain can be frustrating, but there are ways to manage it and feel better. Start with home remedies like ice packs and heating pads, gentle stretches, and over-the-counter medications to ease the pain. If your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, see a doctor for more advanced treatment options like steroid injections or physical therapy and alternative therapies.

Taking daily steps to prevent sciatica — such as improving your posture, staying active and lifting properly — can reduce your chances of future pain. Remember, you don’t have to deal with sciatic pain alone.

Ready to take the next step? Find an orthopedic spine specialist at Beaufort Memorial today. Relief from ongoing sciatic pain starts with expert diagnosis and care.