Having sciatica can be a really painful experience. The first time that pain shoots down your leg can be a shock that only intensifies when you realize it’s not going away on its own. Sciatic pain, often caused by a pinched nerve, can radiate the full length of the leg causing unbelievable discomfort so finding an effective way to treat it that will bring fast results is the primary focus of people who are suffering from it. Below we discuss four key ways on how to stop sciatic nerve pain in an efficient manner.
1.) Chiropractic Care
One of the most popular forms of sciatic pain treatment is chiropractic care. Many have even claimed that they can get the same relief from a visit to the chiropractor as they can get from surgery. According to one study, spinal manipulation can create a nervous system response that can both relieve the pain and restore mobility to the injury. This in turn can reduce inflammation, allowing the body to heal in a more natural way.
2.) Acupuncture
Regular acupuncture sessions are also a preferred form of sciatic pain treatment. While it can take as much as 12 treatment sessions to see significant results some say they can find relief in as little as 1 visit. Of course, this will depend largely on just how much pain you’re in and the condition of the nerves.
3.) Yoga
Yoga is a form of treatment that is used for many health conditions including sciatica. According to a study published in the Pain journal, patients who practiced Iyengar yoga for a period of 16 weeks actually experienced a 64% drop in their pain level. While it is unclear just why yoga works so well on the sciatic nerve it is believed that its ability to strengthen the muscles and improve the body’s flexibility may have a lot to do with the positive results.
4.) Massage Therapy
It is true that massage can be a major pain reliever but it’s important to note that not all kinds of massage will work well on the sciatic nerve. For the best results, the American Massage Therapy Association recommends that you get what is called trigger-point therapy rather than the nice luxurious massages that are so popular. The reason for this is because the sciatic nerve sits just below the glutes so when the muscles tighten in that area they pinch on the nerve. By applying pressure to trigger-points in the irritated area in the muscles, they can release some of the tightness that is applying pressure to the nerve. This type of treatment doesn’t work for everyone so if there is little or no improvement after three or four visits, it’s an indication that you may need to try another form of therapy.
There are quite a few other options for sciatic pain treatment that range from something as simple as a topical preparation to drinking herbal teas. For most people, the relief can be as simple as getting in the right exercise in order to strengthen the muscles around the nerve. Whatever the case, it is not necessary to endure sciatic pain. With so many options available for you to try, there is a chance to get relief and get back to the business of life.
