How To Use Ice To Cool Down Your Sciatica Symptoms - Spine-health

Sciatica is caused by an underlying lower back condition. The lower back problem typically pinches or irritates one (or more) of your sciatic nerve roots, which in turn sends pain and other symptoms along your long sciatic nerve.

When you use ice therapy for sciatica pain, apply the icepack to your lower back and rear pelvis—where the sciatic nerve roots are located. Icing this area, rather than your thigh or calf where the pain may be more, will help control and numb the pain at its origin and also calm the nearby nerves.

Watch Sciatica Causes and Symptoms Video

Tips to use ice therapy

Useful tips and methods to use ice/cold therapy for your sciatica symptoms while at home or on-the-go are:

• Find a cooling source at home. You can use crushed ice, a frozen water bottle, a bag of frozen vegetables, or a home-made gel pack.

  Watch Video: How to Make a Gel Ice Pack

• Try an ice massage. An ice massage is the application of ice directly on the affected area in a circular motion. You can make a hand-held ice unit by freezing water in a paper cup and cutting the top half of the cup to expose the ice (like a popsicle).
• Keep an ice pack in your car and at work. Consider keeping a disposable (instant) ice pack in your car and at the office. Through a chemical reaction, these packs produce cold on-demand, and they can help you find quick relief when you need it the most.

Watch How to Use Ice Therapy for Back Pain Relief Video

A useful tip while using ice therapy is to alternate it with heat therapy. After your acute pain has subsided, you can then begin applying heat therapy. Heat provides a soothing, healing effect and also helps reduce pain.3,4

See How to Apply Heat Therapy