8 Remedies For Sciatica Pain You Need to Try Before Putting Another Painkiller in Your Mouth

The sciatic nerve is the longest in the body, running from each side of the lower spine through the buttock, into the back of the thigh and all the way down to the foot.

Its location makes it responsible for the strength, feeling, and movement of legs.

If the nerve becomes constricted, you may experience tingling, numbness, or sharp pain in your back and legs.

Approximately forty percent of people on the planet will experience sciatic pain at some point in their lives, whether due to sports injury, a motor vehicle accident, a fall, tumor, or some other causes.

The most common causes of sciatic pain are:

  • Bulging or herniated disc
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Trauma
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Spinal tumors

At times, sciatica pain may lead to numbness and mild ache, but sometimes it causes almost unbearable, sharp, burning sensation on one side of the body.

The resulting discomfort and pain usually force people to stay in bed, and usually, patients use some over-the-counter drugs (such as ibuprofen) to relieve its symptoms.

In this article, we will give you eight natural ways to treat the inflammation and relieve the pain.

1.Acupuncture

In ancient Chinese acupuncture practice, hair-fine needles are inserted at various points of the body, most often including the foot, where energy meridians are centered. The needles are meant to open stuck energy pathways, stimulating blood and lymph flow throughout the body.

This form of therapy has been found to be very effective in treating back pain, including sciatica. It’s believed that acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system to release feel-good hormones.

2.Massage therapy

A licensed massage therapist understands human anatomy in ways few other health practitioners do. There are many therapeutic techniques in their tool boxes and they adjust their treatment to be tailored to your needs.

Massage helps loosen up tight muscles to relieve pain and readjust your body. It may take a few adjustments to get lasting relief.

3.Chiropractic adjustment

Studies based on chiropractic adjustments have shown different levels of effectiveness in treating sciatica, but many patients have experienced significant relief. Manipulating the spine can restore mobility, improve function, reduce inflammation, decrease pain, and promote natural healing.

4.Herbs and oils

Many natural herbs can provide great effects, as they reduce inflammation and treat pain. These herbs can be used via infused oils, capsules, salves, and liniments.

Furthermore, you can use these herbs in tinctures, elixirs, essential oils, and tea from fresh or dried herbs, and alleviate pain.

However, before you start using natural herbs, consult your doctor, in order to check if they interfere with some medications you take. These are the most helpful herbs you can use in order to reduce inflammation, and pain, and support nerve health:

  • Turmeric or curcumin (mix it with black pepper in order to increase its bioavailability)
  • Roman chamomile
  • Devil’s claw
  • Milky oat tops
  • White willow bark
  • Mullein root
  • Clary Sage
  • Lavender
  • Licorice
  • St. John’s Wort
  • Skullcap
  • Jamaican dogwood
  • Linden flower
  • Kratom
  • Arnica

5.Ice packs

Ice packs, or a simple package of frozen peas wrapped in a towel, can work wonders to provide instant relief for sciatica. Apply the packs directly on the affected area for 20 minutes, every two hours, until the pain is completely gone.

6.Alternate cold and hot

Alternating between hot and cold compresses on your lower  back will stimulate blood and lymph flow, relieving pain and giving your body a break.

You can also use hydrotherapy by taking a hot bath with Epsom salt and soothing essential oils to open up your blood and lymph vessels and follow up with an ice-cold shower to close them back up.

7.Yoga

When you struggle with sciatica, moving around is probably the last thing that comes to mind. However, it is necessary to be active because otherwise, the pain can last longer. Many people have confirmed that gentle back or yoga stretches really enhance their healing process.

These exercises will stimulate the blood flow, strengthen your back muscles and improve your mobility.

8.Sleep

Make sure you get enough sleep, in order to relax the muscles and the body, and strengthen and rebuild the nerves.

Even though these complementary and alternative remedies are not confirmed by scientific evidence, many people have experienced significant improvements and have managed to control pain, spasms, numbness, and cramps.

But, in case you experience these symptoms longer that a couple of weeks, you should visit your doctor, as you may have some other condition which pinches the nerves or leads to pressure, such as dislocated vertebrae, and another therapy, or a surgery, may be the solution.