Pain Relief for Sciatica

Sciatica is a back condition in which the sciatic nerve is irritated and inflamed. The sciatic nerve runs through the spinal column and down both legs. When pressure from a herniated disc or narrowed sciatic nerve canal is placed on the nerve, it can cause sciatica, which can be extremely painful. However relief from sciatica is closer than most think.

Ice and Heat

• Depending on your comfort level, using ice packs and heating pads can alleviate the pain of sciatica. Apply ice packs for no more than 20 minutes a day, if the injury is new. Ice packs help reduce the swelling around the injured area. After two or three days, replace the ice pack with a heating pad to increase the blood flow to the injured area, as well as relax the injured muscles. Blood and the oxygen carried within it help an injury, so it is important to get the blood circulating normally in the injured area. By reducing the swelling with ice and then promote blood flow with the heating pad, the injury can heal faster, relieving the sciatic pain associated with back injuries.

Chiropractic Treatment

• Since sciatica is generally caused by compression on the sciatic nerve, chiropractic treatment can help alleviate that compression. Chiropractic treatment is designed to help the body heal itself, so by assisting the body with realigning itself and easing the muscle spasms associated with sciatica, the body can begin to heal itself and reduce the pain associated with the compressed nerve. Adjustments allow proper muscle and joint alignment, which promotes normal blood flow through the area. Since blood is necessary for the body to heal itself, this realignment helps get fresh blood and oxygen to the injured area. However, chiropractic treatment cannot remedy some medical conditions associated with sciatica, so it is best to get a proper diagnosis before beginning chiropractic treatment.

Preventing Sciatic Pain

• Patients with sciatica should avoid sitting for long periods of time or sitting on hard surfaces, as this can compress the sciatic nerve, triggering sciatic pain. It is also best if the patient avoids certain activities which may aggravate the condition, like high-impact exercises of lifting heavy items. Patients should avoid activities like bending which aggravates the sciatic pain. Including an anti-inflammatory in your daily vitamins will help ease the pain associated with sciatica. Health food stores have a variety of herbal remedies which can alleviate and prevent sciatic pain.

  Prevention is essential to managing sciatic pain. Regular exercise can help alleviate and prevent future sciatic attacks. Incorporate low-impact exercises, like walking or swimming, to help strengthen the muscles of the back and keep the body in proper alignment.