I had sciatica a while back and still have a fairly sketchy back (herniated disc). I found that an inversion table was quite helpful in getting the sciatica under control. Since then I’ve had to stretch every day or my back will go south. Also it is best to keep the core muscles strong (abs and lower back). Until you are out of extreme pain, you won’t be able to exercise, but once you have it under some control, exercise is a good idea.
Inversion table!
I had sciatica for a while from sitting on my wallet. I stopped putting it in my back pocket. I got an inversion table from Amazon. It only took a week and I was cured. I now have an inversion table that I don't use.