Should i use ice or heat for sciatica, after a week?

Sciatica: Sciatica can be caused from a variety of conditions. Most commonly, a ruptured disc causes impingement of the nerve root. Patients with diabetes are susceptible to a stroke of the nerve and this can lead to sciatica. If the pain persists for more than a week then the patient should seek attention with a neurosurgeon or neurologist to determine the cause of the sciatica and formulate a treament.

Heat: As a general rule, use ice for any acute injury, for 24-48 hrs. This helps to prevent fluid loss at the injury site. After that, use heat to dilate vasculature, improving oxygen supply and fluid resorption.

Sciatica: You can try ice and heat or either. It depends on how each one makes you feel. Some people like doing heat applications for 10 minutes and then putting ice for about 10 minutes. While others like just heat or ice.

Either: You can try ice and heat or either. It depends on how each one makes you feel. Some people like doing heat applications for 10 minutes and then putting ice for about 10 minutes. While others like just heat or ice.

Possibly: However, it will be temporary as it takes a lot to get down into the spine which might not work. Sounds like you have a pinched nerve in your back. I would suggest seeing a pain/spine specialist to evaluate you further to evaluate what level and what can be done to treat you. There are interventional treatments besides medications and surgeries that might reduce or eliminate the pain altogether