The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body and for most of our lives we are blissfully unaware of it. Only when the pain strikes do we devote our attention to sciatic nerve relief and seek how to banish the discomfort.

Starting at the bottom of the spine, this nerve, as thick as your thumb, splits into two and travels down each leg down to the feet. Due to its size, it doesn't take much to apply pressure on the nerve and the result can vary from a numbness to excruciating pain. Either is unpleasant.

Often the sciatic nerve is pinched by one of the disks of the spine. The jelly like center can squeeze out a little and then presses on the nerve. Often this type of pain can go right down one leg towards the foot.

When the pain strikes, the first thing to do is to try and rest as much as possible for at least 48 hours. Try to get as comfortable as you can in bed and use extra pillows to support you where it hurts. Ice packs and a hot water bottle can be alternated to see which gives the best sciatic nerve relief.

Only after the pain starts to subside can you start to think of any methods of prevention to reduce the chances of it coming back again. Remember that exercise and stretching, although useful, should only be started gently at first or they can make the situation worse.

Correct posture also can reduce the possibility of the pain coming back again but it is difficult for people to change habits of a lifetime.