Sciatica causes pain to radiate along the sciatic nerve’s path. It can disturb daily activities, quality of life, and causes discomfort. Pain can be caused when the nerves get pinched, and intense pain can travel into your legs. Sciatica can be repetitive, intolerable, and many times, the cause is unknown to the patient.
This type of pain can be treated with self-care and rarely requires medicine. Treatments depend on what is causing the underlying root of the pain. Natural remedies are available and can dramatically improve a patient’s condition. Patients should always be discussed with a medical professional before beginning any type of treatment.
5 Natural Remedies for Sciatica Pain
Chiropractor
Patients who suffer from sciatic nerve pain often find relief from chiropractic adjustments. Adjustments can improve spinal function and in turn, reduce pain.
Yoga
While sometimes moving can aggravate sciatic pain, certain types of movements and stretching can actually reduce pain. Stretches that lengthen the spine or yoga positions that help develop good posture help reduce stiffness, inflammation, and pain.
Yoga is safe and effective for people with sciatic pain. It can be used to strengthen core muscles, relax stiff areas, and help prevent further pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese practice that maintains health by releasing the body’s natural energy. Tiny needles are injected into specific, targeted areas. Acupuncture helps improve blood flow, oxygen, and channels energy in a holistic approach. It has been FDA approved to treat back pain and chronic pain of all kinds, including sciatica.
Active Lifestyle
Working at a desk or lounging too long can worsen back pain. Sciatica treatments frequently recommend movement and staying active. An active lifestyle and targeted exercises allow for joints and affected areas to loosen up and relieve pain. Isometric exercises help relieve pain during the day and many of these exercises can be performed while at work or on the go. If you typically lead a somewhat sedentary lifestyle, investing in a fitness tracker can help motivate you to set activity goals.
Heating Pads
Heat loosens tight muscles and promotes blood circulation. Many people with sciatica find pain relief from using heating pads on a low setting for 15-20 minutes a day. Applying heat to the affected or painful area can be performed a few times a day, every few hours. Many heating pads are small and travel well, so they can be helpful to use while sitting at work. Another method of heat is taking warm baths. Water relieves pressure from your joints, also reducing pain, while the heat loosens up the muscles. For use on-the-go, one-time-use heating wraps may be used that are effective for several hours.