Ever wake up feeling agonizing pain all the way from your upper thighs to your feet? Do you deal with nagging lower back pain that spreads downward and won’t seem to quit no matter what you try? You could be dealing with sciatic nerve pain, also called sciatica, which causes painful throbbing in the lower back and limbs.
The problem all starts in the lower spine and can come and go, but one thing’s usually certain — when sciatic nerve pain rears its ugly head, you’re dealing with a whole lot of discomfort that can quickly ruin your day.
The good news is there are remedies for back pain that treat sciatic nerve pain and improve spine health. What are these natural sciatica treatments, and what causes this debilitating lower-body pain? Let’s investigate.
What Is Sciatic Nerve Pain?
When certain nerves become pinched in the lower spine running along the sciatic nerve, intense pain can develop that runs the entire length of the legs. Sciatic nerve pain is usually repetitive, felt primarily in one leg and can be described as “intolerable” by most people who experience it (something like a very bad toothache!). What makes matters worse is that many people don’t know how it developed in the first place or what they can do to prevent lower back pain from returning.
While many people turn to pain-reducing medications or even surgery to correct the problem, studies have actually found that less invasive treatment options
Natural Treatments for Sciatic Nerve Pain
Specific treatment approaches for sciatica always depend on what’s causing the nerve damage to begin with, so seeing a professional is worthwhile. Some doctors choose to use medications like anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers or steroids to treat severe sciatic nerve pain, but there’s strong evidence that physical therapy, chiropractor adjustments and stretching can all dramatically improve someone’s condition.
Yoga and Stretching
Moving in certain ways can aggravate sciatic pain, but in some cases it can actually help relieve the pain. Some people find that sitting, standing for a long time and moving around abruptly tends to trigger pain. The types of movements that tend to make pain worse involve scrunching or shortening the spine, such as raising the legs up, bringing the knees toward the chests or squatting.
On the other hand, lengthening the spine through stretching, yoga or laying down can help develop good posture while reducing stiffness, inflammation and pain in a big way.
Studies have found that yoga is safe and effective for people with sciatic nerve pain. Some of the most important movements for preventing sciatic pain target the back, building strength and relaxing stiff areas. Exercises to prevent lower back pain and strengthen the core are even used in rehabilitation settings for sciatic nerve patients following surgery.
Use Heating Pads
Many people find relief by using inexpensive heating pads set on a low or medium setting, placed on the lower back for about 15 to 20 minutes every day. You can practice this several times a day, about every two or three hours, while at work or when you’re home.
Another similar approach that works well is taking warm bathes, since heat loosens up tight muscles and helps increase circulation. The best way to apply heat to the painful area is to purchase a reusable heating pad that either requires hot water or to be plugged in, but you can also buy single-use heat wraps that last for several hours at a time.
While heat can be used to dull pain, just the opposite also works for some people. Some find that applying an ice pack to the back for 10 to 15 minutes every two to three hours does the trick. If pain still doesn’t seem to go away naturally, most doctors recommend taking an over-the-counter painkiller when symptoms get very bad (like Tylenol or ibuprofen/Advil).
Reduce Inflammation
It’s estimated that 5 percent to 10 percent of all patients with low back pain have sciatica, but there are a few personal and occupational risk factors that raise the odds for developing sciatic nerve pain. These include: older age, being tall, high levels of mental stress, being overweight or obese, sitting for long periods, cigarette smoking, and high amounts of exposure to vibration from vehicles (for example, being a truck driver for a living).
Many of these risk factors cause inflammation, which makes it harder to heal from injuries and increases pain. To combat inflammation and improve your odds of feeling better more quickly, make sure to eat a nutrient-dense healing diet, avoid smoking/using recreational drugs, and get exercise and good sleep.
Sciatica no dukhaavo asahy thay se. Mota bhage kamar na dukhaava ma jovama Ave se. To aava sciatica ka na dukhavaa mate no ayurvedic upay.
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