Sciatic nerve pain is caused by tightness in the lower back along the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. It can cause intense pain that runs from the back all the way down the legs to the feet. Sciatic pain usually comes and goes daily and is described as unbearable by sufferers. Many people don’t know what caused it in the first place, and so they aren’t sure how to resolve the issue. Over time, it can become totally debilitating.
Lots of people will turn to pain reducing medication to manage the pain. It’s been found, however, that non-invasive therapies can have far more long-term results. Treatments like massage, yoga, acupuncture, and chiropractic spine alignment can work as natural muscle relaxers and can in some cases be more beneficial than surgical intervention.
These are a few of the natural healing options that are well worth trying before looking to surgical intervention as a cure for sciatica.
1. Yoga & Stretching
Most of the time, sciatic pain is triggered by sitting or standing for extended periods and moving around abruptly. Some movements will cause pain, such as those that shorten or “scrunch” the spine. This includes raising your legs, hugging knees to the chest, or squatting.
Beneficial movements are ones that lengthen the muscles in the spine, such as those done in yoga. Yoga can reduce stiffness and inflammation, making more space for comfortable movement in the spine.
2. Acupuncture
The goal of acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicinal practice, is to restore the correct flow of energy in the body. Tiny needles are used all around the body to target specific energetic pathways. Acupuncture has received FDA approval as a treatment for back pain and is supported by several studies as an effective way to manage any kind of chronic pain, including sciatica.
3. Massage and Rolfing
Massage therapy, and rolfing are both holistic bodywork practices that help to release tension in muscles and allow for proper energy flow in the body, reducing pain and increasing blood flow. Massage therapy in particular is extremely useful to fight back pain by relaxing the muscles and even causing a release of endorphins that act as pain relievers.
4. Sit Less, Move More!
Besides target exercise and stretching, most sciatica treatment plans call for a general increase in your daily movement to loosen up the muscles and reduce inflammation. Sitting for extended periods, whether at a desk or in front of a TV, can exacerbate the pain of sciatica.
Try including a few basic stretches and maybe some light isometric exercises into your daily routine. Break up long periods of sitting or lying down with walks and exercises. Using a pedometer or fitness tracker to track your steps can be a great motivator to get more active.
Conclusion
The biggest thing to remember, is to make movement part of your everyday life, even if this means walking and playing black lotus no deposit bonus code on your mobile at the same time. However, holistic healing practices can make the world of difference and help to get us out of a chronic state.