How to treat or cure sciatica

Most sciatica gets better on its own or with simple care, usually within four to six weeks. Treatment aims to ease pain, keep you moving and treat the cause. Surgery is needed for only a small number of people.

Step 1: Keep active and use self-care Stay gently active, avoid long sitting and heavy lifting, use heat or cold, and take simple pain relief. Bed rest beyond a day or two slows recovery.

Step 2: Physiotherapy and exercise A physiotherapist teaches stretches, core strengthening and posture correction. This is one of the best treatments, and also helps prevent recurrence.

Step 3: Medicines Paracetamol or short NSAID courses, and medicines for nerve pain such as gabapentin or pregabalin when prescribed. Muscle relaxants are used briefly.

Step 4: Injections If severe pain continues after six to twelve weeks, an epidural steroid injection may give temporary relief to help you stay active and take part in rehabilitation.

Step 5: Surgery Discectomy or decompression is considered if:

• Pain is severe and does not improve after several weeks to months of treatment.
• There is increasing leg weakness.
• There are cauda equina symptoms, which need emergency surgery.

Is there a cure? Many people recover completely, particularly with a disc-related cause. Others have flare-ups, which can be reduced with exercise and good back habits.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive) Warm oil massage and Vata-pacifying routines may bring comfort. Evidence is limited, so they should be an adjunct to proper assessment and care.

When to get urgent help Leg weakness, numbness in the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, or pain after a major injury need emergency care. Call 112.

Remember Stay active, be patient, and see a doctor if there is no improvement in four to six weeks.