Massage for Sciatic Pain

Sciatic pain may indicate a host of underlying conditions. Some of these are serious and require medical attention; but in many cases, professional or self-massage can alleviate and even prevent nerve and muscle pain.

Condition

• Sciatica refers to intense pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The sensation radiates from the buttocks into the hip and back of the leg, oftentimes affecting one side of the hip more acutely than the other.

Cause

• According to Stephen H. Hochschuler, M.D., true sciatica results from conditions including lumbar herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, piraformis syndrome, isthmic spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebral bodies caused by a stress fracture), sacroiliac joint dysfunction and, in rare cases, infections or tumors. Massage and neuromuscular therapist Ben Crabtree notes that other, less serious conditions may also cause pain and pressure that mimics sciatica.

Massage

• Professional, assisted, and self-massage techniques can improve sciatica by relaxing stressed muscles, relieving pressure, and reducing overall discomfort. Even in acute cases that require medication or surgery, massage may provide additional pain relief and management.

Technique

• A professional massage therapist must assess each client's individual condition to determine the best techniques and positions in each case. General techniques for self-massage include gently targeting the piriformis muscle (behind the hip joint, near the sciatic nerve) by hand, with ice to reduce compression and numb pain, or with heat to stretch and relax muscles and to relieve pain.

Warning

• As noted above, some causes of sciatic pain are serious and require medical attention beyond massage therapy. Whether or not you decide to see a massage therapist, consult your medical doctor about sciatic pain in order to determine the safest and most effective course of action and to ensure that the application of hot or cold massage pressure will not have any adverse effect on your condition.