Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It originates in the lower back, running down through the hip area and down the back of the leg. When this nerve gets irritated the condition is known as Sciatica. This is usually caused by pressure around the sciatic nerve or around where the nerve root begins. Severe pain can result from this condition with typical pain occurring from the lower back, through the buttocks area and down the back of the leg. Usually only one side is affected. Other symptoms could include muscle weakness, numbness and tingling with movement problems.
There are some common risk factors that are associated with Sciatica. These include sitting in the same position for long periods of time, frequent heavy lifting or twisting the back often or having to move the body excessively for long periods of time. Diabetics are sometimes prone to Sciatica because of the nervous system damage that is associated with diabetes. Also the normal aging process can be a factor since the spinal cord tends to become weaker as we age.
There are many treatments that people have tried for sciatica pain. Some of these include Acupuncture, pain medication, anti-inflammatories, yoga, Chiropractic procedures, stretching exercises and surgery. Many of these methods can be risky causing more health problems than before the treatments were started. Many pain medications are additive and have side effects. Surgery also comes with risks as do all surgical procedures. Surgery is usually done as a last resort when all other treatments have been exhausted without results.
In today’s society natural treatments are becoming popular due to less health risk and people are discovering that these kind of treatments really do work without having to take strong medications or have risky surgery. One of the natural sciatic nerve pain relief treatments that have been studied with good results is consuming a diet rich in potassium. This would include foods such as banana and potatoes.
Another natural treatment is hydrotherapy. Doctors have recommended that soaking in a bath where the water temperature is close to the normal body temperature for twenty minutes followed by a hot shower helps to relieve the pain associated with sciatica.
Massage has also been known to help relieve sciatic pain. It also aids in the prevention of it. Massaging the painful area followed by the application of ice can give good results as does reflexology. Working on the reflex points that are located around the sciatic nerve can relieve pain from sciatic. Regular practice of yoga has also been used to help promote healing of sciatica. The stretching of the muscles can help relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve.
With today’s health conscious society natural treatments are becoming a better alternative than conventional methods. Natural sciatic nerve pain relief can be accomplished with good results and without any harsh side-effects.