Q&A: What Can I Do For Sciatica Pain After Exercising?

Q: Can you give more info on sciatica nerve pain? Mine flares up when I workout a lot, but I’m told if I don’t workout it will get worse. – T. Johnson

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A. Sciatica is pain, tingling or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc in the spine pressing against the nerve roots that lead to the the sciatic nerve.

But sciatica also can be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, such as narrowing of the spinal canal, bone spurs caused by arthritis, or nerve root compression caused by injury. In rare cases, sciatica can also be caused by conditions that do not involve the spine, such as tumors or pregnancy.

In many cases, sciatica will improve and go away with time. Initial treatment usually focuses on medicines and exercises to relieve pain. You can help relieve pain by:

Avoiding sitting (unless it is more comfortable than standing)
Alternating lying down with short walks. Increase your walking distance as you are able to without pain.
Taking acetaminophen(Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
Using a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Try a warm shower in place of one session with the heating pad. You can also buy single-use heat wraps that last up to 8 hours.
Using an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.

There is not strong evidence that either heat or ice will help, but you can try them to see if they help you.

Additional treatment for sciatica depends on what is causing the nerve irritation. If your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may suggest physical therapy, injections of medicines such as steroids, stronger medicines such as muscle relaxants or opiates, or even surgery for severe cases.