8 Holistic Remedies for Sciatica Pain

From digitaljournal.com

If you have sciatica pain, you might have been to the doctor several times and already tried medications and other interventions. If you haven’t been able to experience any relief from the pain you feel, you might be wondering if there are any holistic remedies. Luckily, there are doctors, vitamin shops, and holistic chiropractors  who can help you succeed with your recovery plans.

Here are the top holistic remedies to try so you can be on your way back to your normal way of life without sciatica pain. 

 Acupuncture 

 If you have never done acupuncture before, the thought of needles might scare you. However, these needs are very small and thin so most people do not even feel them being inserted. The needles are very thin and they are inserted in certain parts of the body to help patients have pain relief. 

These thin needles signal the body to release chemicals and hormones that act as natural painkillers. 

Acupuncture does not cause any long-term side effects which is why so many choose it over medications or surgery where they could experience long-term effects.  

Massages  

Everyone loves a good massage and they can be really good for those with sciatica pain. A massage therapist who specializes in sciatica pain will know exactly where to massage to make sure you experience pain relief and tension relief in different muscles and spinal areas that can cause sciatica pain.  

Massages are also great because they increase the oxygen in the body which can help your muscles to heal faster. Always make sure you go to a licensed and experienced massage therapist as they know the best places to massage for the most effective pain relief.  

Stretching and Yoga  

If you have sciatica pain, you might experience pain when you stand or sit for long periods. This is often most common in people who have to sit at a desk all day long or those who have to drive long distances for work and are always sitting in the car.  

Yoga and stretching are great not only for the body but also for the mind. It can also help you change your posture which will help you when you need to sit for long periods. When combined with healthy eating or additions of natural supplements, most people notice a difference in their sciatica pain after doing yoga and stretching exercises for a few weeks.  

Chiropractic Care  

Many people find that the top holistic treatment for sciatica is visiting the chiropractor. Depending on how long you have had the pain and how the pain started, you might need to see the chiropractor once a week or just once every few months.  

If you have pain in the legs and lower back but are not sure why or are not sure if it’s sciatica pain or something else, you can visit a chiropractor and they can determine the cause of the pain and help you feel relief. 

Chiropractor adjustments often provide immediate relief and they can reduce the pressure on the spine and muscles so you find it easier to be mobile and get back to the normal activities of life.  

Applying Ice and Heat  

While this is a simple technique, it’s very effective and is used for many different injuries. It might not give long-term relief, but it can give you some relief in between massage or chiropractic appointments.  

Keep in mind that the sciatic nerve and the muscles that are attached to it are pretty deep within the body, so ice and heat will only provide temporary relief.  

Make sure not to leave the ice or heat on for too long. Use each for only 15 minutes and then alternate them.  

Physical Therapy  

Some people have the belief that they have to stop working out or being active when they have sciatica pain. This could not be further from the truth. Staying active is very important and can help your body heal quicker compared to if you are just sitting around all the time.  

Staying active also keeps the blood flowing in the body which helps the nerves and muscles to heal faster.  

Physical therapy also engages the muscles and keeps the blood flowing. During physical therapy, the therapist will do several different exercises with you that can provide effective pain relief. 

They will also show you some exercises you can do at home.  

While you might have to continue sitting at work for long periods, try and stay as active as possible. Even if you just get up and walk around for 15 minutes, this can make a huge difference compared to if you just sit in the same spot at the desk all the time.  

While you are at the desk or driving, always be aware of your posture. Try not to slouch or put pressure on the spine as this can all make sciatic pain worse.  

Traction Therapy  

There are options for nonsurgical spinal traction therapy which can be especially effective for those who have sciatica pain or pain from pinched nerves and herniated discs.  

Traction therapy works because it takes pressure off the pinched nerves that are putting too much pressure on the sciatic nerve. Traction therapy can also help move oxygen, water, and nutrients into the discs which promotes healing.  

Herbal Supplements  

Some chiropractors and massage therapists recommend the use of herbal supplements to help with sciatica pain. If you are on prescription medications, make sure to ask your doctor which herbal supplements you can take so they do not interfere with each other.  

The Bottom Line  

Sciatica pain doesn’t have to hinder you from living an active life that you enjoy. Following some holistic remedies and making some lifestyle changes can greatly improve your pain and even be more effective in some cases compared to medications and surgery.  

If you want to try some holistic remedies, visiting a chiropractor is a great way to get started. 

https://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/news/cdn-newswire/8-holistic-remedies-for-sciatica-pain