![]() Sciatica Natural Pain Relief: Diet, Herbs, Acupressure. Natural Treatments for Sciatica. By Dr. Mao Shing Ni. THE LARGEST NERVE BUNDLE IN YOUR BODY can become the largest pain in the rear. The sciatic nerve originates from the lowest part of your spine and serves the lower body. When the nerve gets irritated, inflamed, or compressed, unbearable pain shoots down your buttocks, to the back of your legs, and down to your feet. You may also experience numbness in the leg or feet, difficulty walking or standing, or even bladder problems and fever. Causes of sciatica: Anything from prolonged sitting on hard surfaces to carrying a large wallet can cause sciatica. Herniated disks, muscular pressure, and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the space in the spinal column through which the nerve extends) are possible causes as well. ![]() ![]() ![]() The easiest preventives for sciatica are proper posture, good physical fitness, taking special care when lifting or moving heavy objects, and a healthy lifestyle in general. In Chinese medicine there is a condition known as painful obstruction syndrome, which describes a situation in which the energy meridians and blood vessels become compressed, blocking the flow of energy and blood and causing severe pain. Sciatica is one such painful obstruction syndrome, often caused by dampness in addition to energy and blood constriction. In Chinese medicine, there are further differentiations of dampness- related painful obstruction, such as dampness and cold, dampness and wind, and dampness and heat classifications. See the section on arthritis for recommendations for each of these. I’ve treated many acute and chronic sciatica conditions using acupuncture and herbal therapy with good results. Acupuncture is effective for all kinds of pain, but particularly for sciatica. My approach is to unblock the stagnation, promoting the flow of energy and blood. I also advise my patients on exercises to strengthen the core muscles. Related conditions: lower back pain, arthritis, insomnia. For natural treatment of sciatica pain and the underlying causes here are some of my recommendations: HOME REMEDIES FOR SCIATICAChamomile tea is a muscle relaxant, and can help alleviate the pain of sciatica. Steep chamomile tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes. Sit in the bath for 2. Herbs should be used according to individual needs; consult with a licensed practitioner for a customized formulation. Evening primrose oil, horsetail, and chamomile are good Western herbs used to treat sciatica. During sciatica flare- ups, pain may preclude you from exercising and bed rest can help reduce the irritation of the nerve. I recommend Dao In Qi Gong, which is gentle on the body and provides great benefits. Practice this regularly to attain relief and prevent flare- ups. Qi gong for sciatica. Begin with yourright leg: Sit with your right legas when cross- legged and your left leg turned out to the left so your left heel is touching your left buttock. Hold your left ankle with your left hand and hold your right heel with your right hand. Inhale, and turn your head to the right, twist your torso to the right, and lean to the right, still holding on to your heel. For natural treatment of sciatica pain and the underlying causes here are some of my recommendations: Home Remedies for Sciatica How to Treat Sciatica with Diet and Nutrition. Explore sciatica treatment options to help relieve or alleviate sciatica pain, including non-surgical methods. Sciatica Treatment Sciatica Surgery Sciatica Exercises Sciatic Nerve Anatomy Ci ![]() ![]() To a patient of sciatica pain, suggestion of exercises seems like asking a person on wheel chair to climb Mt. Before starting on any sciatica cure or treatment method, it is important to find a healthcare provider with a proven track record of having. Learn about the symptoms, causes and treatment of sciatica, a painful nerve condition. Sciatica is a common type of pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, going from the pelvis, through. Learn How to Cure Sciatica Naturally in Less Than 7 DAYS Completely with Unique Sciatica Treatment. No Drugs, Surgery, Physical Therapy, Exercise, or Change of Diet! Miraculous Relief Within 8 Minutes!-100% Guaranteed Results or You Pay Nothing! Garlic In Milk- Cures For Asthma, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis,Cardiac Problems, Insomnia, Arthritis,Cough And Many Other Diseases! What is the right diet for sciatica patients? Avalon Home Recommended Products Treatments Back Pain Videos FREE Sciatica Relief Guide Contact Us Sitemap Right Diet for Sciatica Patients Share Sciatica is a very painful and annoying condition. Sciatica is the name given to any sort of pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Further treatment may be needed in some cases, such as: an exercise programme under the supervision of a physiotherapist injections of anti-inflammatory. When it comes to diet, plenty of raw veggies and fruits . The treatment focuses on curing musculoskeletal and nervous problems such as back pain, neck pain, joint ache, and Exhale, and twist your head and upper body to the left,lowering your body and bringing your right shoulder to your right knee, still holding your ankle. Inhale, lift yourself up, and twist to the left, looking behind you. Exhale, and return to the beginning posture. Repeat the steps above for a total of 3 times on this side. Then switch to the left leg: Sit with your left leg as when cross- legged and your right leg turned out to the right so your right heel is touching your right buttock. Hold your right ankle with your right hand and hold your left heel with your left hand. Inhale, and turn your head to the left, twist your torso to the left, and lean to the left, still holding your heel. Exhale, and twist your head and upper body to the right, and lowering your body and bringing your left shoulder to your left knee, still holding your ankle. Inhale, lift yourself up, and twist to the right, looking behind you. Exhale, and return to the beginning posture. Repeat the steps above for a total of 3 times on this side. SELF ACUPRESSURE POINTS FOR SCIATICA1. First use the Acupressure point near the hip for sciatica: Find the acupoint Jumping Circle (GB- 3. Apply heavy pressure with your right thumb or index finger until you feel soreness. Hold for 3. 0 seconds and release. Repeat several times, alternating the right and left sides. Second use the acupressure point behind the knee for sciatica: Find the acupoint Yang Spring (GB- 3. Apply steady pressure with your right thumb until you feel soreness. Repeat on the left leg. Engaging the combination of these points is excellent for relaxing and strengthening the tendons and treating sciatica. SCIATICA: WHAT TO AVOIDAvoid smoking and excessive use of alcohol, as they can deplete the body of vital nutrients needed for bone health. Nicotine especially irritates the sciatic nerve. Avoid the insomnia drug Ambien, which has been linked to sciatica in some people. Consult your physician for alternatives. Avoid stress, worry, and tension, as these emotions irritate the nervous system and predispose you to sciatica. Avoid poor posture- always sit with your back erect with support in the lumbar area. Do not sit for prolonged periods on hard surfaces. If you carry a wallet, take it out of your rear pocket when sitting. Take frequent breaks at work and stretch your lower back and buttocks. References: Balch, P. A. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. New York: Avery, 2. Beers, M. H., and R. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research, 1. Benskey, D., and R. Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas and Strategies. Seattle: Eastland, 2. Cameron, M. Lifetime Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies. Paramus, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1. Duvall, R. Sciatica, what causes and how to treat it effectively. Gibney, M. Introduction to Human Nutrition. London: Blackwell Science, 2. Gruenwald, J ., T. Jaenicke, et al., eds. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics, 1. Koopman, W. Arthritis and Allied Conditions. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1. Mowrey, D. The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine. New Canaan, CT: Keats, 1. Ni, H. Attune Your Body with Dao In. Los Angeles: Seven Star, 1. Prevention magazine, eds. Ni, M. Chinese Herbology Made Easy. Los Angeles: Seven Star, 1. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine. Boston: Shambhala, 1. Ni, M., and C. Los Angeles: Seven Star, 1. Time- Life Books, eds. Alexandria, VA: Time- Life, 1. Trattler, R. Better Health Through Natural Healing. Victoria, Australia: Hinkler, 2. Werbach, M. R. Nutritional Influences on Illness. New Canaan, CT: Keats, 1. Mao Shing Ni. Read Secrets of Self- Healing: Harness Nature's Power to Heal Common Ailments .. Sciatica - Treatment - NHS Choices Treatment for sciatica isn't always necessary, as the condition often improves naturally within around six weeks. If your symptoms are severe or persistent, your GP may recommend self- help measures and treatments such as medication and physiotherapy. However, it's not clear exactly how effective many of these treatments are at treating sciatica. In a small number of cases, surgery may be recommended to correct the spinal problem thought to be causing your symptoms. Self- help. There are a number of things you can do yourself to help reduce troublesome sciatica symptoms. These include: Exercise. It's important for you to remain as physically active as possible if you have sciatica. Simple exercises, such as walking and gentle stretching, can help reduce the severity of your symptoms and strengthen the muscles that support your back. While bed rest may provide some temporary pain relief, prolonged bed rest is often considered unnecessary and unhelpful. If you've had to take time off work because of sciatica, you should aim to return to work as soon as possible. Read more about exercises for sciatica. Compression packs. Some people find that using either hot or cold compression packs on painful areas can help to reduce the pain. You can make your own cold compression pack by wrapping a pack of frozen peas in a towel. Hot compression packs are usually available from pharmacies. You may find it effective to use one type of pack followed by the other. Prescription medicines. If you have persistent or troublesome sciatic pain, there are a number of stronger medications available on prescription that may help. These include: some types of antidepressant, such as amitriptyline and duloxetine –these medications were originally designed to treat depression, but they have since been found to help relieve nerve pain anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin and pregabalin – these medications were originally designed to treat epilepsy, but they can also be useful for treating nerve pain a medicine called diazepam if you have muscle spasms These medications aren't suitable for everyone, particularly when used in the long term, so it's important to discuss all available options with your GP. Some of these medications can also cause significant side effects in some people. If the painkilling medications your GP prescribes don't help, you may be referred to a specialist pain clinic for further treatment. Spinal injections. If other methods of pain relief have not worked and your pain is severe, your GP may refer you to a specialist for a spinal corticosteroid or local anaesthetic injection. This delivers strong anti- inflammatory and painkilling medication directly to the inflamed area around the nerves of your spine. Spinal injections are very effective at releasing the pressure on your sciatic nerve and temporarily reducing your pain for a few months. Physiotherapy. In some cases, your GP may recommend a suitable exercise plan for you, or they may refer you to a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist can teach you a range of exercises that strengthen the muscles that support your back and improve the flexibility of your spine. They can also teach you how to improve your posture and reduce any future strain on your back. Your GP may also suggest taking part in a group exercise class led by a physiotherapist. Read more about physiotherapy. Manual therapy. Manual therapy is the name for a group of treatments where a therapist uses their hands to move, massage and apply careful force to the muscles, bones and joints in and around your spine. It's usually carried out by chiropractors, osteopaths or physiotherapists, although chiropractic and osteopathy aren't widely available on the NHS. Manual therapy can help reduce sciatica pain, but it shouldn't be used on its own. It should only be used alongside other measures such as exercise. Psychological support. Your GP may suggest psychological therapy as part of your treatment plan, in addition to other treatments such as exercise and manual therapy. Therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you manage your pain better by changing how you think about your condition. While the pain in your back is very real, how you think and feel about your condition can make it worse. If you've been in pain for a long time, a specialist treatment programme that involves a combination of group therapy, exercises, relaxation and education about pain and the psychology of pain may be offered. Surgery. Surgery is rarely needed for sciatica. But a type of surgery called lumbar decompression surgery may be considered if: the condition has an identifiable cause, such as a slipped discthe symptoms haven't responded to other forms of treatment the symptoms are getting progressively worse Decompression surgery can involve several different techniques, such as: discectomy – where the part of the herniated disc pressing on your nerve is removed; this is the most common type of surgery required fusion surgery – it may be possible to fuse a vertebra that has slipped out of place by using a metal or plastic cage between the vertebra, supported with metal rods and screws laminectomy – a procedure often used to treat spinal stenosis, where a section of vertebrae called the lamina is removed Many people have a positive result from surgery but, as with all surgical procedures, spinal surgery carries some risks. Potential complications range from the relatively minor, such as an infection at the operation site, to the more serious, such as permanent damage to the spinal nerves. Before choosing spinal surgery, your surgeon will discuss the relative risks and benefits with you. Page last reviewed: 0. Next review due: 0.
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