The 3 Best Ways to Find Relief from Sciatica
If you have ever suffered from sciatic
a, you will know that the pain can be excruciating – you would give almost anything to get relief from sciatica. It can also be accompanied by numbness and a tingling in the leg. Sciatica is the result of the muscles around your sciatic nerve becoming inflamed and causing sciatic pain. The sciatic nerve runs down your lower back and then down through each leg. Sciatica can also be commonly known as a pinched nerve. Sometimes, sciatica can be caused by a ruptured or herniated disc putting pressure on the radicular nerve, which in turn connects to the sciatic nerve.
The duration and severity of the pain can vary between different people, with some suffering more than others. It normally affects sufferers in the lower back and one leg only, but the pain can also extend to the feet and toes on occasion. Below I have detailed the three best ways to get relief from sciatica.
Gentle Exercises for Relief from Sciatica
To begin with, although you may feel the need to rest in bed to get relief from sciatica pain, the best way to start the healing process is with exercises. It is often recommended to rest for just 2-3 days, but no longer. The result of resting beyond this period could be to weaken the back muscles. Being inactive can actually make the pain worse.
Your spinal structure can deteriorate further if there is no movement being experienced. This results in you having a weaker support for your back. Exercising the discs will ensure that the fluids between them remain well lubricated and healthy.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should indulge in too much exercise. A regular, gentle program is recommended. Targeted, stretching exercises, such as Yoga, can help you to alleviate the pain and get relief from sciatica. Carrying out stretching exercises has the effect of loosening tight muscles and increasing the spaces between vertebrae, allowing more space for the spinal nerves. Depending on what is causing the sciatic pain, certain exercises may need to be avoided. It is for this reason thatyou should always check with your doctor before embarking on an exercise programme.
Medication
Secondly, medication is another option for relief from sciatica pain. Sciatic pain is normally treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or codeine, although on occasion a doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant. In severe cases, your doctor may decide to give you an injection of cortisone. However, this is merely a temporary solution. Medication will certainly alleviate the pain, but it does nothing to heal the underlying problem. If you want to look on a more long term treatment for your sciatica, looking at your lifestyle with a view to finding the cause of it will be of more benefit.
Heat and Ice
The third and final method to gain relief from sciatica pain involves using heat or ice. This can often bring effective pain relief for sciatica and is easy to use at home. Ice is always advised immediately after an injury, as it reduces the inflammation around an injury and can therefore relieve acute pain. Ice is recommended to be used for only 15-20 minutes at a time. A longer period of use can stiffen the muscles. This should be carried out in spells of 15-20 minutes and then 30 minutes off during the first 48 hours. However, heat should not be applied at all at this time.
Heat can be applied 48 hours after the injury, as it will then help to increase the circulation which will, in turn, help the healing process. For best results, heat should be applied 30 minutes on and 60 minutes off.
If the pain is ongoing after carrying out the procedures outlined above, a combination of ice and heat can be used. Ice should be used first, applied for 15-20 minutes. Then wait 30-60 minutes before applying heat for 30-45 minutes. Using both ice and heat as detailed will reduce pain and inflammation, plus increase circulation, resulting in lasting relief from sciatica for some patients.
You should remember, when using ice not to apply it directly to the skin. Instead, ice cubes placed in a plastic bag, wrapped in a cloth, or using a commercial ice pack, all work well.
You will find that heat is most effective when used in conjunction with moisture. Wet heat, such as hot wet towels, are effective, as is a hot bath or jacuzzi, which has the added benefit of a massage.
Relief from Sciatica Begins with your Doctor’s Advice
Whatever form of pain relief you decide on for your sciatica, it is always advisable to first seek the advice of your doctor. You will then get an accurate diagnosis and advice concerning the best possible treatment for your condition. Pain from sciatica can be very debilitating, so for long term relief from sciatica pain, it is best to identify and eliminate the cause of the injury first.
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