Lower back pain is one of the most common ailments, and it is a terrible feeling and can be debilitating. This awful pain appears early in the morning and lasts throughout the day. It’s an inconvenience and to some degrees it can even be disabling.
People of different backgrounds and careers are all at risk of lower back pain, specifically sciatica pain. Many people who work in offices sitting in front of a computer all day don’t recognize the stress they’re actually putting on their lower back. The same can be said for those working jobs that call them to be physically active. They can strain their lower back easily by taking on more than they can handle, or performing a movement incorrectly. Without meaning to, you can injure your lower back and greatly affect your overall mobility for months.
Natural ways to relieve sciatica pain
As soon as the pain in the back appears, some people immediately visit the doctor. This is a good practice, of course, but many people are unaware that they can treat this problem without the assistance of modern medicine.
Here are some natural ways which will help you relieve sciatica pain naturally on your own. Don’t suffer from sciatica pain again, and stand tall all day long!
Epsom Salt Bath
These therapeutic salts are well known for relaxing the nervous system and extracting toxins from the body. They’re commonly purchased at any pharmacy and are effective when added to a hot bath. Add 2 cups of the salt to your tub and soak for 20 minutes. The salts will do their magic while the heat will help reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation.
Cold and Hot Therapy
Applying heat or cold to your lower back are both effective in relieving swelling and back pain. Applying ice packs to your lower back where you feel swelling and pain works by shrinking your blood vessels, reducing the inflammation you experience. Heat therapy works by applying heat to the affected area which boosts circulation, alleviating back muscle spasms.
Devil’s Claw
Taking this herbal medication has been reported to be effective at reducing sciatic pain. The herb is a strong natural anti-inflammatory and works much like ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. The daily recommended dosage is 1,500mg, twice a day. You should find a brand with 50mg of harpagoside, which is the active compound. This is a safe pill, tested by safety reviews, however, keep away from this option is you are taking blood thinning medication or have peptic ulcers.
Avoid Sitting for Long Periods, Get Moving!
Sitting for many hours, such as working at a desk or watching TV during leisure time, can make matters worse when it comes to bulging discs and back pain. Many sciatic treatment plans call for more movement in general, along with targeted exercises to loosen up inflamed areas.
Including specific stretches or light isometric exercises in your day can help relieve pain in the spine or legs while improving strength. When your symptoms re-emerge or worsen, you can practice certain stretches and exercises at home without the need for a doctor visit.
Try beginning by alternating periods of sitting/lying down with short walks. Aim to take more steps every day, and consider getting a pedometer or fitness tracker, which can 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.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Proper hydration of the body is extremely beneficial for the health, including protecting your back. By steadily supplying your body with fluids, you allow it to keep all its pieces well lubricated reducing your chance of injuring yourself.
Proper Rest
Once you start to feel the beginnings of sciatica pain, it’s important to get the proper rest. You need to rest your back for at least 48 hours to avoid straining it further. When sleeping, the best positions to sleep in are either on your side, with your knees bent and a pillow between them or on your back with a pillow under your knees.
