Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) The widespread use of NSAIDs, including aspirin, ibuprofen (introduced in the 1960s), and naproxen, marked a major advancement in managing pain from inflammation, a key component of sciatica. NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), reducing the production of prostaglandins that sens

During the Middle Ages, medicine in Europe stagnated somewhat, but herbal remedies and physical therapies persisted. Herbal and Natural Remedies Herbs like willow bark, known for its salicin content (a precursor to aspirin), were commonly used for pain relief. Decoctions and poultices were applied to the lower back and leg areas to reduce inflamm

Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia The earliest written records of back pain treatment come from Egyptian papyri dating back to around 1500 BCE. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical documents, contains descriptions of back pain and recommended treatments including herbal poultices and salves made from myrrh, frankincense, and other resinous sub

Lower back pain is one of the most common and debilitating ailments affecting humans throughout history. Among the many causes of this condition, irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve—a long nerve that runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg—has been recognized as a particularly painful and challenging