By Mercy Benelson Ikpe | Contributor, Africa –
Do you experience pain from your upper thighs to your feet, or lower back pain that radiates downward through your buttocks?
That is a sign of sciatic nerve pain, also called sciatica, which causes a painful, throbbing sensation in the lower back and limbs. The pain radiates down the body and can be a symptom of spinal stenosis. The problem usually starts in the lower spine and resurfaces.
Sciatic nerve pain causes a whole lot of discomfort that can quickly ruin your day.
Check out Natural Treatments for Sciatic Nerve Pain.
1. Adjustment of the spine by a Chiropractor:
Sciatica can be diagnosed during a physical exam by a chiropractor, or your primary doctor might order X-rays and other tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, to investigate spinal damage. After diagnosis, a chiropractor can work with you to realign the spinal discs and prevent protrusion into the canal, targeting the underlying source of pain.
2. Yoga Exercise.
Yoga is safe and effective for people with sciatica. Engage in Exercises that prevent lower back pain and strengthen the core, which are even used in rehabilitation settings for patients with sciatica following surgery
Lengthening the spine through stretching, yoga, or lying down can help develop good posture while reducing stiffness, inflammation, and pain.
3. Acupuncture and Massage Therapy
Acupuncture helps to achieve or maintain better health by opening the body’s natural flow of energy. It’s a treatment for back pain.
Massage therapy opens muscles, tissues, and energy channels in the body, improving blood flow and reducing pain. Massage therapy helps to reduce back pain, promote muscle relaxation, and even release endorphins, natural “feel-good” chemicals that act like pain relievers.
4. Don’t Sit for Long Periods
Don’t sit for many hours working at a desk or watching TV during leisure time; it can lead to bulging discs and back pain. Sciatica treatment generally requires more movement and targeted exercises to loosen inflamed areas.
Exercise can help relieve pain in the spine or legs while improving strength. Try to sit/lie down with short walks. Aim to take more steps each day and consider getting a pedometer or fitness tracker to motivate you to be more active and increase your walking distance. Then when you’re at home, work on lengthening the spine by improving your posture.
5. Use Heating Pads
Heating pads, such as an infrared machine, are helpful.
Sciatic nerve 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. Practice this several times a day, about every two or three hours, whether at work or at home.
If pain persists naturally, most doctors recommend taking an over-the-counter painkiller when symptoms get very bad (like Tylenol or ibuprofen/Advil).
6. Reduce Inflammation
To fight inflammation and improve your odds of achieving sciatic nerve relief, eat a nutrient-dense, healing diet, avoid smoking/using recreational drug use, and get regular exercise and good sleep.
The most common symptoms include:
Numbness and tingling in the limbs
Trouble moving or exercising
Feeling stiff and unable to flex the feet
Pain when sleeping
Throbbing and inflammation around the thighs or lower back when sitting or standing for a period
Sciatic nerve pain lasts for about six weeks.
This is not medical advice, but is written to help those who may be having this kind of pain live better each day. Heartmenders Magazine seeks to make a positive impact by publishing articles that help everyone perform at their best. A healthy body is a productive mind.
Benelson Ikpe is the founder and CEO of Pinnacle Event and Planners (PEP), Nigeria. PEP metamorphosed from Pinnacle Kitchen. From catering and event decorations to DJ services and photography, she wrote this piece for Heartmenders Magazine. Contact Mercy Benelson Ikpe at merscoa@yahoo.com.
Contact Heartmenders Magazine with any questions or suggestions at editors@heartmendersmagazine.com