How do I get my sciatic nerve to stop hurting?

Normally, resting for a while provides relief to the people with sciatic pain. Once it starts aching, rest immediately, but not for too long since the absence of activity for a long time can also worsen the situation.

For temporary relief, use hot packs or cold packs. The following exercises  can help alleviate the pain:

• Reclining pigeon pose
• Sitting pigeon pose
• Forward pigeon pose
• Knee to opposite shoulder
• Sitting spinal stretches
• Standing hamstring stretches

Common medicines like ibuprofen or aspirin can help reduce inflammation and/or swelling and to some extent, can reduce the pain too.

To remove the discomfort and pain in the area around your hips, a SI joint belt can be used. It provides support and stability to your hip joints.

If the symptoms don’t seem to respond to self-medication or in case, the pain is only worsening, consult a doctor. Some of the commonly prescribed medicines are anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, medications to relax muscles, anti-seizure, and in rare but severe cases, narcotics.

Physiotherapy may also be suggested but only after the symptoms improve. This can prevent the pain in the future as it will strengthen your core, as well as, your back muscles.

Steroid dosage may also be suggested depending on the severity. This can calm down the nerves and inflammation. Due to side-effects, the dosages are limited.

The last resort is surgery, but only in the cases where the pain hasn’t got better. Also in case of bowel or bladder control, surgery is seen as an option.