Back pain comes in an array of varieties. Sciatica is a form of back pain that affects many people, particularly adults between the ages of 25 and 45.
Before delving further to understanding sciatica, it is essential to gain more insight into this condition by looking at the part of the human body where the problem originates from, the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest spinal nerve in humans. This nerve extends from the lower back and runs through the buttocks and thighs. Further, this nerve sends signals to and from the muscles of the feet and lower legs.
Irritation to the Sciatic Nerve
Sciatica occurs after injury to the sciatic nerve. This injury happens in the case where a bone in the spine is out of place, thus compressing the sciatica nerve. This problem is likely to occur mainly after long sitting periods or falling on the buttocks or the back.
The Good News
While medications to relieve sciatica pain can be used or surgeries to rectify the problem can be done, the good news is natural, less invasive solutions have been proven to be instrumental in managing sciatica.
Top Natural Sciatica Remedies
The best part about some of the natural sciatica remedies is that they can be done in the comfort of your home.
Trigger-point Therapy
If you are suffering from sciatica, then the conventional luxurious massage might not be of much help. One can consider having trigger-point therapy instead. In this therapy, the pressure is applied to the inflamed areas. Though painful, this therapy provides relief by releasing tension in the soft tissues of the affected area, thus promoting circulation.
This kind of therapy can be incorporated as part of self-care at home, where a small tennis-sized ball is placed under the body and is used to exert pressure on the affected area.
Aside from being instrumental in promoting blood circulation in the inflamed sites, trigger-point massage therapy reduces muscle spasms. In the end, the body experiences a neurological release, which further reduces the pain signals being channeled to the brain. The normal functioning of the body then results.
Use of Heat Treatment
The use of heat has been documented to promote relief to the sciatic nerve. Heat remedy can also be incorporated in your self-care, from the comfort of your home. Cheap heat pads, heated to low or medium heat can be placed on the painful area (say, lower back) for up to 20 minutes, numerous times a day.
Aside from using heat pads, it is worth noting that warm baths come in handy too.
Heat treatment is pivotal in releasing the tension on tight muscles. It is also instrumental in promoting circulation in the affected area.
Use stretches, be Active!
Most treatment plans for patients battling sciatica emphasize the essence of being active. Long hours spent in the seated position means that the risk of having an inflamed lower back area or having bulging discs is heightened.
You can get ahead of sciatic nerve pain by incorporating stretches, and light exercises to loosen the tension in the inflamed areas. This can be done at home or work without visiting the doctor’s office.
Alternating sitting periods with a little walking and exercises every day helps keep sciatic nerve pain away.
Yoga
Lengthening your spine using yoga is not only crucial in promoting good posture, but it also helps big time with reducing inflammation, tension, and pain. A good start in managing sciatic nerve pain is the reclining pigeon pose, as shown below.
Back pain associated with sciatic nerve irritation is one condition that many people deal with at different points of their lives. The best thing one can do is incorporate natural solutions to relive or prevent this kind of pain.
