The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body. It starts in the lower back, extends to the butt, and then down the back of the legs. Sciatica commonly happens when ruptured discs compress on the nerve root in the lower back and causes it to become inflamed. Once the nerve is irritated, it results in varying degrees of pain.

Sciatica causes shooting pains in the legs, bum, lower back, and calves. This condition also leads to burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, and a prickly-like sensation in the lower extremities of the body. The pain can be persistent, or it can come and go. Some things that can increase the risk of sciatica include:

” aging
” accidents
” poor posture
” being overweight
” wear and tear on the lower spine
” spinal stenosis
” degenerative disc disease
” smoking

When the pain from sciatica first strikes, it is important not to do anything to further irritate the nerve; so kick your feet up and take it easy for a while. But don’t stay sedentary too long as this can make back pain worse. Get up and move around as soon as possible.

Natural Treatment Options for Sciatic Pain

Depending on what you prefer, the natural treatment options for sciatic pain are varied. Your doctor or chiropractor can help you determine what type of treatment is best for your situation.

Some natural treatments for sciatic pain include:

” massage therapy
” acupuncture
” spinal adjustment
” heat and cold therapy

There are several types of massage therapy available for back pain sufferers, but Swedish massage is the most commonly used. Massage improves blood flow, relaxes tense muscles, and improves range of motion in the back.
Acupuncture for Backache Relief
During acupuncture, needles are inserted into the skin along pathways to improve the flow of energy, and release natural pain killers in the body. There are rarely any side effects associated with acupuncture; however, there may be slight bruising at the needle sites after the procedure is finished.

Spinal adjustment uses manipulative techniques to realign the spine, and release small pockets of air to improve stability. This procedure should only be done by a licensed chiropractor.

Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy can be used in unison to relieve sciatic pain. Ice relieves inflammation, and heat relaxes the muscles, and eases pain. Heat can worsen inflammation, so it should only be used after inflammation of the sciatic nerve has had time to subside.

When Does Back Discomfort Need Physical Therapy?
Depending on the severity of sciatic pain, a chiropractor may recommend physical therapy to improve the condition of the spine, and minimize the risk of future back problems.

Sciatica can be very painful to deal with, but this condition rarely causes any serious complications, and can typically be treated successfully with nonsurgical methods. But in rare instances, surgery to remove the part of the disc that’s causing the irritation may be necessary.

If you experience progressive weakness in the legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control, contact a doctor immediately as this may signal something more serious.

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