subject: How do you Treat Sciatica Pain at Home [print this page] How do you Treat Sciatica Pain at Home How do you Treat Sciatica Pain at Home
How do you Treat Sciatica Pain at Home
Are you suffering from sciatica? Are you worried that you may not be able to get up and walk normally again? This is the biggest question which most people who suffer from sciatica fear, because the pain which comes with this condition is so debilitating and depressing, that one wonders whether there are any chances of normalcy returning.
But relax.. It is absolutely possible to come back to normalcy in a very short time, with the help of some of Home Remedies available in your own home.
Sciatica is basically caused by injury to the sciatic nerve which starts in the lower back and goes down through the thighs and buttocks, into the back of one leg and from there, to the foot and toes. The injury can be caused by a herniated disc which protrudes on to the nerve, or due to spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease, or tightening of the hamstring and piriformis mucscles in the thigh and buttocks. The treatment consists in releasing the pressure on the nerves through exercise,and by soothing the nerves by various other means.
The first option available is to apply a hot water bag over the affected area for about 25-30 minutes. A lot of relief is normally experienced with this application. Thereafter, once the pores of the skin are opened, a gentle rub with Oil of wintergreen or St.John's wort oil, or Evening Primrose oil, will allow the person to at least move around slowly. A sacral belt used at this juncture, would give a lot of support to the back. After the person experiences some relief, a moderate exercise programme can be commenced, as follows:
1 Lie on the stomach and prop up the upper portion of the body on the elbows.
Gradually straighten the elbows, with the upper body balancing on it, till you feel a stretch in the back. Hold for 5 seconds, relax, return to original position and repeat 5 times.
2 Lie again on the stomach, with hands clasped and resting on the lower back.
Lift the upper part of the body slightly till a stretch is felt in the back. Hold for 5 seconds, relax, return to original position and repeat 10 times.
In each of the above exercises, the hold' position can be extended upto 20 25 seconds depending on comfort level, with each repetition.
There are also other similar simple exercises, which can be done for obtaining more relief from the pain of sciatica. If possible, walking or swimming can also be done. At any rate, movement is very necessary for quick healing in the case of sciatica.
Apart from hot water bag treatment, various poultices can also be applied. Horse radish poultice applied for minimum of 1 hour, or mustard seed poultice, applied for 10 minutes, or flaxseed poultice applied for half an hour, are also great relaxants.
The juice of potatoes and celery leaves taken either alone or in combination with carrot and beet juice, will relax the nerves, as will elderberry juice or tea, or chamomile tea.
The diet can be modified to include foods rich in Thiamine, (Vit.B1) such as green peas, lentils, bananas, etc.
Thus, there are very many methods by which home treatment can bring relief in the case of sciatica, and it certainly makes good sense to try these out before approaching a doctor for drug therapy.
