Posted by Art (California) on 10/09/2026 2962 posts
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A friend recently told me that he had recently had a very painful sciatica flare up and asked me if I could suggest something for him to try as the pain and stiffness was hard to deal with. He asked if I could keep it simple, so I suggested he try icing his lower back and upper butt area twice a day, morning and evening, for three days in a row. I suggested he use a softer type of ice pack so it would contour to the area where he was applying it and make good contact to more efficiently remove the inflammation. I also told him to use a thicker towel between him and the ice pack to protect himself from any excess cold.
The following week he told me that it had worked for his sciatica. I told him I could tell because he was walking normal again. Previously his walk looked stiff and he was obviously in pain. He said he started noticing relief by the fourth application and by the sixth application he felt back to normal. I told him for future reference, the icing is most effective when applied at the first signs or symptoms of sciatica. He said if he has another flare up, he will use this method right away!
Art
Posted by BECKIE (OR) on 10/09/2026
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I absolutely agree about using ice. I have had several sciatic flareups and using ice has made a huge difference and faster recovery. For me, I also use a sciatic belt whenever I go outside to chop wood, haul gravel, dirt, chips, mow, weedeat, etc. It helps a lot to keep it away. I only use it when I am doing physical labor.
