Sciatic nerve pain often extends from the lower back down through the rear of your thigh and leg. Even though it tends to pass over the period of six weeks, it can be very painful and unpleasant too.
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Sciatic nerve pain is usually caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve that is usually caused by a herniated disc. Additionally, it can be caused by degenerative disc disease, spinal injury or infection, as well as spinal stenosis piriformis syndrome and so on.
The symptoms of this problem can vary from mild to severe. So, in case you decide that it will not be a bad idea to visit your doctor, you can try the following 8 natural remedies in order to lessen pain and pressure on the irritated sciatic nerve.
1. Compresses
The use of hot or cold compresses is very helpful in case of this problem and they can help in easing the pain, as well as inflammation. Hot compresses will increase circulation and relax tense muscles which may put some pressure on the sciatic nerve. On the other hand, cold compresses can reduce swelling, as well as numb the pain.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is actually quite effective when it comes to reducing nerve pain as of its anti-inflammatory properties.
It contains curcumin, which is actually helpful in reducing nerve pain and inflammation. In order to ease the pain, you have to mix 1 teaspoon turmeric with 1 cup of warm milk and drink it two times during the day. Also, you can take a turmeric supplement; 250-500mg of turmeric supplement about 3 times during the day for a few weeks.
3. Massage
If the pain is actually caused by a muscle spasm, then massage therapy is going to be particularly helpful as it is going to relax muscles and help your body in healing itself. Furthermore, massage will stimulate blood circulation as well as help release tension, and increases the range of motion.
4. Exercises
Perhaps this sounds surprising, but regular exercise is not just helpful when you are trying to get in shape, but also when you deal with sciatic pain. You can also start regular exercise program 2 to 3 days after a sciatica flare-up. It is going to help you in strengthening the back and abdominal muscles and facilitating fast recovery.
Exercises which you can do in order to relieve sciatica and lower back pain include spinal rolling, knees rocking, floor twists, back extensions, backblock, sciatic-mobilizing stretches and a few yoga poses such as the pigeon pose and cat-cow pose.
5. Valerian root
This is a natural relaxant and it is going to help you in relieving chronic nerve pain, particularly if the pain is caused by a muscle spasm. This root contains volatile oils, which are going to help you in relieving tension and relaxing your muscles.
In order to make a tea, you should add 1 teaspoon of dried valerian root to a cup of warm water and let it steep for 10 minutes. You should drink the tea once a day for several weeks. Also, you can take 150mg valerian supplement 3 times daily for a few weeks.
6. White willow
The bark from white willow can be utilized to relieve long-lasting sciatic pain. It actually contains a compound salicin that has the responsibility for the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. You can take it as a supplement of 120-240mg salicin each day for a few weeks.
7. Fenugreek seeds
These seeds are another great thing against sciatic pain thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, it is going to sooth gout and rheumatoid arthritis pain.
You should grind a handful of fenugreek seeds and boil the powder with enough milk in order to get a mushy paste.
You should also apply this paste on the affected area and leave it like that for 1-2 hours before rinsing it off. You should repeat this procedure every day until you feel some relief.
8. Acupuncture
Acupuncture can actually be one of the best ways of dealing with sciatic pain, but you have to be sure that the acupuncturist you are going to pay a visit is an experiences and skilled one. According to one study issued in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture with heated needles is helpful a lot in improving sciatic pain.
