You begin to feel that you may become crippled, although most of the time sciatica can be treated effectively. For the first few days it is vitally important to stay off your feet as much as possible. The worst thing you can do is get up and down repeatedly as this causes the nerve to become more irritated. Although there does seem to be a debate on whether bed rest makes the symptoms better or not, it is generally agreed upon that bed rest is advisable for the first few days at least. Although soaking in warm baths soothe and ease the pain, do not use heating pads at first while the nerve is inflamed.
Prolonged heat draws the inflammation in, keeping the swelling high.
Most doctors tell their patients to apply ice packs directly on the lower back area for about twenty minutes at a time, every couple of hours. Although this can feel like torture, the cold pack helps reduce swelling. Mineral ice is also great at soothing the pain and offering temporary relief. Some doctors will prescribe muscle relaxers but it is best to avoid them if at all possible because of the side effects associated with these types of prescription drugs. Many medications can be highly addictive, or they can also give you a sense of feeling better that you wind up straining your back worse by overdoing it.