Sciatica mainly refers to the pain which radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, and which branches from your lower back through your hips and also your buttocks, down each leg. Sciatica generally affects only one side of your body.
it is most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spinal cord or narrowing of the spine compresses part of your nerve. This will cause an inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.
Although the back pain is associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases resolve with nonoperative treatments within a few weeks. People who have severe sciatica that is associated with significant leg weakness or bowel or bladder changes might be candidates for surgery.
Effective home remedies for sciatica
Ginger
This ginger herb is by far the most powerful natural nerve pain reliever yet discovered. And best of all for sciatica sufferers, it usually works for virtually everyone who uses it. It is an incredibly potent anti-inflammatory food that is richer in potassium, a potassium deficiency is known to exacerbate sciatica pain. You can never have too much ginger so be sure to go nuts with it. Here are few easy ways to get your daily dose.
Ginger tea: This is one of the best ways to use the ginger herb. Add two or three slices of finely sliced ginger, along with one teaspoon of ginger powder and one teaspoon of natural honey (for taste) and a squeeze of lemon juice to one cup of boiling water. Leave to steep until it’s cool then drink. Drink this ginger tea three times daily on an empty stomach.
Epsom salt
The mineral magnesium is an essential for healthy nerve function. Epsom salt is a combination of magnesium and also sulfate which is easily absorbed through the pores of your skin. A hot bath combined with two cups of Epsom salt will give you astonishing relief from your sciatica guaranteed! Make sure that your lower back and also your legs are submerged in the water for at least 20-25 minutes. Be sure to have this bath at least 3-4 times per week for best results.
Regular Epsom salt baths are definitely one of the “must use” effective home remedies for sciatica pain.
Hot and cold compress
Hot and cold compresses can definitely help you to relieve sciatica pain and inflammation. Heat relaxes the tight muscles which may be pushing on the sciatic nerve. The cold treatment reduces the swelling around the nerve, along with helping to numb the pain. You can either use just one of these or alternate between the two. Be sure to start with the hot compress first then end with the cold compress. Simply place a hot pack or cold pack on the affected area for around 20 to 25 minutes. Repeat every few hours until you find relief.
Chair exercise
This chair exercise works a treat and is regularly recommended by massage and manipulative therapists. Simply sit on a firm chair and cross your leg knees. Clutching your top leg knee with both hands, slowly pull it towards it is opposite shoulder, right knee towards left shoulder or left direction. You will only need to move it an inch or so before feeling the pull on the side near back buttocks area. Repeat this for 20-30 seconds each time you sit down and the pain will be gone in less than a week. After this, you will only need to do it once a day to prevent recurrences.
Sports shoe or ball technique
Here is another great and simple exercise that gives almost immediate relief. Sit on a firm to semi firm chair. Place the sports shoes or single shoe under your buttocks with the back of the shoe facing outwards and the toe part of the shoe sitting under your tailbone. So in other words, the shoe should be sitting long ways directly under your butt crack. Do this for 20 minutes then repeat when necessary. Be aware that it may hurt a little, to begin with, but the pain will quickly subside and then you will feel some incredible relief! You can know more about the shoe technique here. Tennis Shoe Technique for Sciatica.
If you do these above five things, you can relieve your back pain and prevent debilitating sciatica symptoms from becoming a chronic, stressful problem. So get moving, and get your spinal cord back in line!
