Mom was prescribed celebrex (celecoxib) for siatica pain, did not take after reading terrible side effects, is drug safe or is physical therapy be better choice?

Physical therapy: I am not a big proponent of using nsaids in an 83 year old. I would give physical therapy a try first.

Celebrex (celecoxib): It's generally a safe medication but if you're concerned about a side effect in particular, talk with your doctor about an alternative. Physical therapy can be very effective for sciatica. Remember virtually all medications have side effect potentials. The right choice of medicine will depend on other factors such as other health conditions that are present.

Pretty Safe: Celebrex (celecoxib) is a poor pain reliever but a good anti-inflammatory. However if it does not help you may want to see if her doctor can prescribe her a stronger anti-inflammatory medicine or even a Medrol dose pack (steroid). If physical therapy and these don't help, then evaluation by a spine specialist would be warranted.