Sciatica Nerve Pain: Home Remedies and How Your Chiropractor Can Help

Sciatica nerve pain is condition that causes pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation that affects the buttocks and travels down the back of the leg. It often occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated due to inflammation or as a complication from a spine condition (i.e. herniated discs).

More often than not, medical doctors often prescribe a variety of anti-inflammatory medication and painkillers to combat sciatica nerve pain. In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections or even surgery may be recommended. If you do not feel comfortable with such options, there are more natural alternatives available. One of the best treatment options you can choose is chiropractic care.

A chiropractor in Beaverton, OR is more than capable of treating sciatica nerve pain through regular chiropractic adjustments. These adjustments realign the spine, encouraging faster natural healing, which helps minimize inflammation and other causes of sciatica nerve pain.

During the early stages of treatment, you may experience discomfort due to sciatica in between your chiropractic adjustments. In such cases, your chiropractor may recommend you try the following home remedies to help relieve pain and supplement your ongoing treatment:

Warm and Cold Compresses

Both types of compresses are excellent at relieving mild pain and addressing inflammation that may be affecting your sciatic nerve. It’s best to start by placing a warm compress on the affected area for roughly 15 minutes before switching to a cold compress. When using a warm compress, it’s best to use moist heat like you would experience with a steamed towel. Feel free to do this every few hours to help achieve relief.

Stretching Exercises

If your sciatica nerve pain is caused by spinal compression, you may want to try several stretching exercises to help decompress the area. Pilates and yoga are great options for stretching out your back and limbs while getting a good workout in. When stretching, try holding your position for at least 30 seconds each for the best results. Exercises that require you to bounce or twist around should be avoided when dealing with sciatica nerve pain.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is known to work wonders for sciatica pain relief. Not only does massage therapy help relieve pain, but it also helps improve blood circulation which allows more healing nutrients to reach the area affected by sciatica. If you are interested in massage therapy, talk to your chiropractor beforehand. Some chiropractic practice also offer massage therapy services. Needless to say, it is to your advantage if your chiropractor is also able to oversee your massage therapy.

Sources:

Sciatica - Topic Overview, WebMD.com
11 Highly Effective Solutions For Sciatic Nerve Pain, Prevention.com

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.