Sciatic pain is a common problem that manifests with pain, tingling, weakness and numbness of the lower extremities. The resulting discomfort and pain usually causes people to stay in bed and opt for medication solutions. Today, you will discover 8 remedies for sciatic pain that you must try before putting a painkiller in your mouth!
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve of the human body, it starts from the bottom of the spine, crosses the buttocks and ends at the level of the lower limb of the foot. It plays a vital role in connecting the spinal cord to the muscles of the leg and foot. According to the official LCI website, 10% of the world's population suffers from back pain, namely sciatica, herniated discs and scoliosis.
8 natural remedies for sciatic pain
The conservative treatment of sciatica is primarily aimed at reducing pain, either by analgesics or by reducing the pressure on the nerve root. A recent systematic review showed that conservative treatments did not clearly improve the natural progression of sciatica in most patients, nor did they reduce symptoms.
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative treatment, which includes the insertion of needles with fine hair in certain areas of the body, in order to help the nerve function and stimulate energy.
After this therapy, the relief feels from the first session, a second then a third and you will notice that the pain will subside. Nowadays, acupuncture is extremely popular because its effectiveness has been demonstrated for migraines, stress, smoking and stimulation of the lymphatic flow.
2. Chiropractic adjustments
According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), chiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuro-musculoskeletal system and their effects on health in general. Research has shown that chiropractic adjustments can be effective in treating the problem of sciatic pain, as manipulation of the spine can relieve pain, promote healing and treat inflammation.
3. Ice bag
It has been proven that ice packs can instantly relieve sciatic pain. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it directly on the sore area for 20 minutes. Repeat this method every 3 hours and the pain will subside.
4. Alternation hot-cold
Hot-cold alternation is a technique that promotes analgesia and stimulates circulation and lymphatic flow. It is often used by athletes to relieve joint pain. This method consists of alternating hot and cold on the painful area. For example, put an ice pack for 5 minutes and then replace it with a hot water bottle or compress for 3 minutes. It must continue like this for a period of 30 minutes.
5. Gentle stretches or yoga
Even though each movement may be painful, you must be active to accelerate healing. Therefore, you can practice yoga stretching or gentle back stretching. In this way, you will improve mobility, strengthen the back muscles and stimulate blood circulation.
6. Massage
Trigger point therapies (these are the parts where there is tension in a muscle and cause pain) or deeper massages are extremely effective at treating pain, muscle spasms and numbness toes and legs.
7. Herbs And Oils
Many natural herbs can have great effects because they reduce inflammation and treat pain. These herbs can be used via infused oils, capsules, ointments or liniments. The most useful herbs are turmeric, lavender, Roman chamomile, clary sage, arnica, lime blossom ...
However, before you start using natural herbs, check with your doctor to see if they interfere with certain medications you are taking.
8. Sleep
Make sure you get enough sleep to relax the muscles and the body and relieve the nerves.
However, if you have symptoms of sciatic pain for several weeks, you should consult your doctor because you may be suffering from another condition that may require specific treatment or surgery.
