I have been in pain on and off for a few days now, does anyone in here have any reccomendations for a good over the counter medication to aliviate sciatic nerve pain?

I dealt with sciatic nerve pain on and off for a few years, after a minor lower back injury combined with carrying heavy duty gear around my waist led to sciatica.

Unfortunately, there's not much you can take as far as OTC meds for effective nerve pain relief.

But if you can figure out the approximate location of the root cause of the sciatic nerve pain (e.g. lower back/buttock/hip/etc.), applying something like Biofreeze or Tiger Balm to that area can sometimes help mask the nerve pain temporarily. (Basically, the tingly sensation from the menthol and other ingredients can provide enough nerve input to help dull the pain signals from those same nerves.)

Back and leg stretches can also help. Massage can help. Focusing on proper posture can help. Long term, carefully building up the supporting muscles for your abdomen and lower back through conservative workouts can help; you just don't want to go overboard and make it worse. Physical Therapy may be needed.

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Back and leg stretches can sometimes also help.

yes, along with core strengthening exercises. unfortunately won't give much immediate help but will help a lot in the longer term

Back stretches using a therapy ball worked for me.

Like this

I have had one episode of sciatica - about 2 years ago. After going to a doctor to find some sort of pain relief, I received advice from my cardiologist - an amazing source on its own! He had dealt with it personally and endorsed the local chiropractor enthusiastically.

(By the time I received his advice, my home stretching exercises had slowly eliminated my case, so I don't know if he was right, but I do know the muscle relaxer given by the other doctor was NOT the answer!)

Having a problem with sciatica even at the moment.

Hamstring and lower back stretches to relieve the pressure. Core exercises (ab crunches, in particular) to strengthen support for your lower back. That's all you can really do.

Perhaps cortisone injections? I don't know. But those have their downsides, too.

My sciatica is back because Wu Flu put me off my exercise regimen. It was getting better, because I've been back to the gym, but now it's worse again because I bunged up my knee a couple days ago, on that same side, of course, so that leg has been mostly immobilized and unusual stress has been placed on the glutes, hip, and lower back on that side. Perfect storm for sciatica

Anti-inflammatory. Perhaps advil. I used small dose of prednisone (2.5mg) and that seemed to help.

I also switched from chair to sitting on the ball.

I also did stretches for each part of the leg as well as the IT band and the buttocks area (the one where you lie down, bend one leg, cross the other leg over the bent leg, and pull the crossed leg up toward the end and across the body).

Also, avoid laying on your stomach with the upper body up (as if to read a book).

I had pretty bad sciatica due to a lower disc issue. I'm on a low dose of gabapentin which is a nerve block. It is inexpensive, but you also need a prescription. Also makes me a bit tired, so I only take it at night before bed.

I suffer from chronic lower back pain and sciatica. Just a couple days ago I had a "deep tissue" massage. She came reccomended and knew her stuff because she narrowed down the sciatic nerves and focused on them. It did help, but I need to stretch and do a few follow ups.

A good back massage could help?

Have you ruled out a herniated disc?

I got to the point where I was walking like Igor before I had surgery. Way better now.

BTDT.

Here are some exercises to stretch your sciatic nerve that I found via google. #4 is what I did. I was going to describe you my exercise but finding a link is easier. Link

What I did for immediate relief was go to a chiropractor who did adjustments. I suppose you can go to an osteopath if you'd rather.

I don't think it's wise to numb the pain. It's your body telling you something is wrong. You should heed it.

I suggest #4 and find the point in the movement where you feel the pain, then gently and slowly stretch at that point. When it stretches out, the pain will go away.

Also, mind your posture. Like if you sit for long periods, take a break and walk around for a while and squat slowly.

Also, I hope you don't have a wallet in your back pocket.

A friend had the nerve "burned" by a doctor and it removed most of the pain.

I am not sure the exact procedure.

I had a doctor keep writing off my pain as sciatic. Finally got an MRI and it was a herniated disc.

Look up the yoga move cobra. That should fix it; it did me.

I had it so bad I was ready to check out. My chiropractor sent me to another chiropractor who had a proper table for moving my lower trunk. It's been a few years ago now, but I think it was a nerve being compressed around L4. A month of weekly sessions saved my life. I now daily use an inversion table to duplicate the stretch, and have been fine ever since.

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Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Here are some exercises to stretch your sciatic nerve that I found via google. #4 is what I did. I was going to describe you my exercise but finding a link is easier. Link

I suggest #4 and find the point in the movement where you feel the pain, then gently and slowly stretch at that point. When it stretches out, the pain will go away.

Yes, #4 is similar to what I was trying to describe and do as well. Basically stretching the buttocks that connect back and leg.

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Originally posted by nasig:

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Back and leg stretches can sometimes also help.

yes, along with core strengthening exercises. unfortunately won't give much immediate help but will help a lot in the longer term

All of this along with

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YXglW9kvH4

Do a routine everyday, it doesn't happen over night.

Are you sure it's sciatica? Could just be tendonitis.

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I don't think it's wise to numb the pain. It's your body telling you something is wrong.

As my doctor explained it to me, at least in my case, was that the disc would move back in place on its own. My body moving would allow this to occur, but my body wouldn't move in the ways necessary due to the pain.

Reduce the pain = increased movement = faster getting everything back to where it needs to be. All in the same vein as some of the stretching and exercising mentioned.

This is a tricky one. It could be a condition that is benefitted from stretching/exercise. But it could also be something (like tendonitis) that activity can actually make worse.

Probably time to consult an actual physician, rather than your imaginary internet friends.