Read the full article: br br br Why Conventional Sciatica Treatments Often Fail br br If you visit a doctor about your sciatica, he or she is likely to prescribe pain-killing medication. This can be useful as a short-term fix and may also reduce inflammation. br br The problem is that medication doesn’t address the underlying cause of sciatica. If you have a compressed or irritated nerve, drugs often just hide the problem without resolving what’s really causing your pain. br br Many pain-killers – especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – are also not suitable for long-term use. They can cause stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea and other nasty problems.