11 Best Creams for Sciatica Pain
Get relief from that awful pain that hits your back and then radiates down your legs.
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If you’re among the almost 40% of the population who have sciatica, you know how tough it can be. Even the smallest twist or bend can send pain shooting from your back down to your legs. In severe cases, sciatica can be debilitating — we’re talking a can’t-even-get-out-of-bed level of pain.
The location of sciatica pain can be especially challenging, since it affects the areas of your body that facilitate lots of movement. “Sciatica pain is commonly in your buttocks, back of your thigh,and into the back or side of your calf,” says Benjamin Moor, MD, an anesthesiologist and pain specialist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston Moor. “Sometimes it can be felt throughout the foot and into the toes. It can be aching, sometimes sharp, and is often accompanied by tingling or numbness. You’ll feel the pain away from the site of the injury, say, in your foot, but the problem is in your back. Your foot is fine!” This is because sciatica pain doesn’t come from an injury to the sciatic nerve itself. The pain originates from nerves higher up in your spine, which join the sciatica nerve, and radiates downward.
Our top picks:
You’re most likely to get sciatica between the ages of 30 and 50. Pregnant women are especially susceptible because a growing fetus can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. And the condition tends to come and go. “Patients often talk about their sciatica ‘flaring up’,” says Dr. Moor. “As we get older, the channels where the nerves come out from our backs get tighter. This can cause pressure on a nerve root whereas, in the past, there would have been enough space for the nerve not to get squeezed. It’s the squeezing or pinching of the nerve that causes sciatica pain.” Aging can also cause spine changes like bone spurs, which could lead to flare-ups.
Treatments for sciatica can start with simple self-care, like alternating cold packs and warm compresses to gentle stretching. If you still have pain, it's important to see a physician. Prescription meds and/or physical therapy can be helpful. For severe cases of sciatica, surgery may be recommended – you can also ask your doctor about steroid injections, which a new study finds can be even more effective.
Another treatment option that can be used in conjunction with, or in place of, other treatments: over-the-counter sciatica creams. “Topical medications tend to be very safe,” says Dr. Moor. “It’s very rare to get systemic side effects from topicals. Many of the oral medications I prescribe can cause drowsiness or gastric upset in patients, but we hardly ever see those problems with medication applied to the skin. We do occasionally see rashes or redness, but usually this goes away quickly if you hold off on the medication for a few days.”
For best results, it’s important to understand how OTC sciatica creams work. “There are various ingredients to look out for when looking at over-the-counter topical medications,” says Dr. Moor.
Some effective ingredients that may be effective in OTC sciatica creams in addition to capsaicin and menthol include:
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) fights inflammation
- Strychnos can help restore muscle mass and can reduce stress at the site of an injury
- Histamine dihydrochloride can regulate neuropathic pain, like compression of sciatica nerves
- Lidocaine can numb sciatic pain
- Borwella serrata can help recovery of sciatic nerve function
- Vitamin B6 can help build new nerve structures
- Arnica has been reported to reduce pain relief from injuries
- Ilex leaf extract can reduce neuropathic pain
“Many of these medications ‘confuse’ the body’s transmission of pain signals by overlying the pain stimulus with a non-painful one. Think of hitting your thumb with a hammer, then rubbing or squeezing it. Capsaicin and menthol probably work in large part by this mechanism. They cause a mild irritation, a heating or a cooling sensation of the skin, which suppresses some of the pain signals at the level of the spinal cord, stopping them reaching the brain.”
Below, you'll find the best creams for sciatica pain recommended by experts and reviewers. Further down on the page, we're also answering top questions about sciatica pain. Again, any moderate or severe pain should be discussed with a physician.
Penetrex Joint & Muscle Therapy
Pros
- Top cream on Amazon
- Unscented
Cons
- Small bottle
- Takes a while to get the full effect
A potent blend of arnica, vitamin B6, MSM and bosweilla serrata, this holistic cream targets inflammation very effectively. But don't just take our word for it: Over 50,000 Amazon reviewers have given it 5-stars.
Review: "I had a strong sciatic pain on my lover back down to my knees. This cream was magic to help me walk and do my almost normal activity till I got better."
Bengay Lidocaine Cream
Pros
- Reviewers say it smells great
- Affordable
Cons
- Only 4% lidocaine
Bengay is an old school pain reliever – maybe you remember your grandma using it! It can still work wonders; this cream targets and desensitizes concentrated areas of nerves fast, and its famously strong scent has now been toned down to sweet jasmine. Plus, you can’t best the price.
Review: "This product works really well! I could tell a difference immediately in my back pain and sciatica."
Pharmapulse Intensive Concentrate Cream
Pros
- A little goes a long way
- Reviewers say they got relief in minutes
Cons
- Small jar
- Some reviewers say it has a "menthol" scent
The cream’s concentrated blend of arnica, vitamin B6, MSM, aloe vera and vitamin E is made in small batches to ensure quality. The company advises that you only need to use a little to feel positive effects.
Review: "The product worked wonders on my sciatic nerve problems. The cream is soft and soothing, the scent is a bit of menthol, which I don’t mind, and I slept through the night."
WELMATE Lidocaine Numbing Cream
Pros
- Maximum lidocaine
- Unscented
Cons
- Need to check with your doctor before use
Lidocaine can be very effective for sciatica relief, and Amazon reviewers praise this cream for providing fast-acting relief. It has 5% lidocaine, which is the strongest an over-the-counter product can have (more than that and you'll need a prescription). Definitely ask your doctor about how much to use, however – lidocaine should not be applied too often, and your dosage should be specifically right for you.
Review: "Hard to find 5% OTC at a local store. I presented this product for sciatica pain and it helps so much! It absorbs well. No scent. Works fast. Lasts 3-4 hours at a time."
Pros
- Fast acting
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Expensive
- Menthol may irriate some
Nuturna boasts numerous all-natural ingredients – menthol, arnica, aloe vera, vitamin B, vitamin E, tea tree leaf, MSM and purified water. Amazon reviewers give it high marks for providing quick, natural relief, especially for numbing in the feet.
Review: "I rubbed it on my affected area before I start working. I don't know what kind of magic is this but not once did I feel my pain in my 12-hour shift and right after my shift I was still pain-free. I couldn’t believe that this stuff works! I was able to sleep without all the pain and spasms."
Dr. Luke Sciatica & Neuropathy Rapid Pain Relief Cream
Pros
- Can be applied to multiple areas
- Reviewers say it's long lasting
Cons
- Scented
- Some reviewers say it gets really warm
It contains strychnos, which is thought to de-stress cramped, tight muscles. The company says it can be used for back aches, knee aches, neuropathy, shoulder pain and joints, as well as sciatica. The key is to rub it in thoroughly – and it does have a strong smell, but that goes away quickly.
Review: "I suffer from sciatica and pins and needles in my feet and Dr. Luke's Sciatica Cream helped calm both symptoms down so I could sleep."
Australian Dream Back Pain Cream
Pros
- Unscented
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Expensive
Histamine dihydrochloride, an effective pain reliever for increasing blood flow, is used here. If you're dealing with other back issues, reviewers on Amazon say it also works wonders for soreness from a fall, moving or herniation.
Review: "I discovered that If I put the Australian Dream on that small area as soon as I feel that first pain, and spread it around a little on my lower back, it stops the sciatica in its tracks."
Wise Men Wise Men Healing Balm
Pros
- Made with essential oils
- Can be applied to multiple areas
Cons
- Scented
- Some reviewers say it's not easy to apply because of its thickness
Made with frankincense and myrrh, which research has found may reduce neuropathic pain, it also contains coconut oil to help with quick skin absorption. Amazon reviewers are hooked, with a number of reviewers saying that they intend to keep using it long-term.
Review: "In about 10 minutes, there was absence of sciatica and the back pain & hand pain were at least 98% improved. The effects last a long time. As soon as the sciatica creeps in, I can squash it with this balm."
Biofreeze Cool the Pain Cream
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Menthol may irriate some
- Scented
This cream, which contains 10% menthol, goes on nice and cool. Over 9,000 Amazon reviewers gave it 5 stars because it works "within minutes" and because it's easy to get off your hands after you've applied it.
Review: "It has a cooling sensation that provides immediate relief! I’ve suffered from sciatic pain for months and nothing seemed to work. It lasts for about 4 hours and then reapplication is needed."
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Menthol may irriate some
- Only 4% lidocaine
Easy to use on the go, this lidocaine and menthol formula has a smooth feel and claims to target multiple nerve receptors at once for fast pain relief. Reviewers really love the mess-free application of it, too.
Review: "I love this product. I roll it on my leg because I am having some sciatica nerve problem and have been having it for quite some time. After I rub on a roll-on, it does temporarily relieve the tingling and the nerve pain in my leg."
Activene Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Relief Cream
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Non-greasy
Cons
- Some reviewers say the scent is strong
- Menthol may irriate some
It’s got a fresh minty scent, and contains ilex leaf extract, which is said to be especially good for circulation. Better circulation means more blood flow to muscles affected by sciatica, which can help them recover faster. If you like the silky feeling (and easy application) of gel versus traditional creams, this is also a great option.
Review: "Absolutely loved it! This is the best thing I've found for pain relief in a long time! I have a lot of trouble with my sciatica and SI joint and this stuff works great and I have tried several things!"
How we chose the best creams for sciatica pain
To select the most effective creams to ease the pain of sciatica, Good Housekeeping researched the most important ingredients to look for in these creams, and spoke to experts like Dr. Moor of Tufts Medical Center about what causes sciatica pain and how to treat it. In addition, we perused reviews of these creams to make sure that real users have found them to be effective.
What is sciatica pain?
“Sciatica refers to pain in the area of the leg supplied by the sciatic nerve, one of the two major nerves of the lower extremity,” says Dr. Moor. The sciatica nerve starts in your lower back, running down the back of both of your legs. It controls muscles behind your knee and in the lower part of each leg. “It’s a kind of pain we call neuropathic because it's caused by the pinching of nerve roots as they emerge from the spine," says Dr. Moor. "There are many reasons that nerves can be pinched: bulging discs and arthritis of the small joints in the back are probably the most common causes. Often it comes on gradually, but sometimes it’s sudden, such as when you herniate a disk while lifting something.”
Where and how to apply sciatica creams
It's important to treat the pain where it begins — as opposed to where you may feel it more, like on your thigh or calf. Apply the cream to your rear pelvis, meaning behind your hip. That way, you're targeting the pain at its origin, at the sciatic nerves, and also calming those nerves in the area. Just rub in the cream in that area, and hopefully you'll start to feel some relief.
Is Advil or Tylenol good for sciatica pain?
According to Cleveland Clinic, ibuprofen (Advil is a brand name) would be a better choice for easing mild sciatica pain. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and it's designed to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. Acetaminophen (Tylenol is one brand) reduces pain as well, but isn't effective against inflammation.
What about CBD creams?
“The research in this area is still woefully inadequate,” Dr. Moor points out. “However, many of my patients report pain relief from these compounds. In my estimation, CBD-containing creams from a reputable manufacturer are generally very safe. We are still awaiting proper scientific results in this field, but these compounds are unlikely to cause harm.” Keep in mind, too, that CBD creams often contain additional ingredients that reduce pain, so it’s not always clear which component in a cream might actually be working.
Lisa is an internationally established health writer whose credits include Good Housekeeping, Prevention, Men’s Health, Oprah Daily, Woman’s Day, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, Glamour, The Washington Post, WebMD, Medscape, The Los Angeles Times, Parade, Health, Self, Family Circle and Seventeen. She is the author of eight best-selling books, including The Essentials of Theater.
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