Home Remedies for Sciatic Nerve Pain
Content
Home Remedies for Sciatic
Nerve Pain
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Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. It usually
affects only one part of the body but tends to be severe and debilitating.
The pain usually extends from the lower back to the rear of the thigh and
down through the leg.
It can be accompanied by symptoms like burning or tingling down the leg,
shooting pain that causes difficulty standing up or sitting down, and numbness
and weakness down the affected leg and even in the toes.
Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated or slipped disc. It can also be
caused by issues like a spinal injury or infection, degenerative disc disease,
pregnancy, spinal stenosis, isthmic spondylolisthesis and piriformis syndrome.
Although there are many conventional treatments for sciatica, they may only
ease the pain temporarily. Plus, most steroid injections can cause serious side
effects.
You can use some home remedies and natural therapies as well to reduce
inflammation and pressure on the irritated sciatic nerve. Plus, in most cases, the
problem goes away with time (around 6 weeks) and rest.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for sciatica.
1. Hot or Cold Compresses
Using hot or cold compresses can help relieve sciatica pain and inflammation.
Heat treatment relaxes tense muscles that may be compressing the sciatic
nerve.
Cold treatment reduces swelling around the nerve and also numbs the pain.
You can also alternate heat and cold, starting with the hot compress and ending
with the cold compress. When using heat, use moist heat like a steamed towel as
it is more effective.
1. Place a hot or cold pack on the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Do this every few hours until you get relief.
Note: Do not use cold compresses if you have circulatory problems.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is another effective natural remedy for sciatica because of its antiinflammatory properties. It contains a compound called curcumin that helps
reduce nerve pain and inflammation.
Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric to 1 cup of milk. You can also add a small
cinnamon stick. Boil the solution. Sweeten this healthy drink with honey
and drink it once or twice daily until you see improvement.
Another option is to take 250 to 500 mg turmeric supplements 3 times a
day for several weeks. Consult your doctor first.
Note: Turmeric may not be suitable for those taking blood thinners or diabetes
medications. Those suffering from gallstones should also avoid it.
3. Massage
Massage therapy can relieve sciatica pain and also help the body heal itself,
especially if the problem is caused by a muscle spasm.
Plus, it helps release tension, stimulate circulation and increase the range of
motion.
Massage the affected area with St. John’s wort oil 2 or 3 times a day until
you get relief. St John’s wort has anti-inflammatory properties that help
relieve sciatica pain and inflammation.
Another option is to add 3 tablespoons of nutmeg powder to 1 cup of
sesame oil. Heat the mixture. Allow it to cool and massage the affected
area with it when it is comfortably warm. Do this a few times a day for a
few weeks.
You can also consider trigger-point massage therapy at least once daily.
Pain in the lower back, buttocks and side of the thighs is often associated
with trigger points in the gluteus medius and minimus muscles.
4. Exercises
In addition to rest, maintaining normal activity is highly beneficial for dealing with
sciatica.
A day or two after a sciatica flare up, you can start a regular exercise program to
strengthen the abdominal and back muscles. Strengthening the core muscles
helps facilitate quick recovery.
You can do Knee to Chest Stretch to help reduce the irritation of the sciatic nerve
and improve flexibility of your lower back.
1. Lie on your back on a mat with your feet straight and hip-width apart.
2. Keep your upper body relaxed and bend your right knee upwards with an
inhale.
3. Clasp your hands behind the thigh and gently pull it towards your chest as
far as is comfortable.
4. Keep the other leg flat on the surface.
5. Hold this position for 20 seconds with controlled deep breaths and then
lower your leg gently.
6. Switch legs and repeat.
7. Repeat 3 to 5 times.
8. Finally do this exercise with both the legs 3 to 5 times.
You can also do exercises like spinal rolling, knees rocking, floor twists,
backblock, back extensions, sciatic-mobilizing stretches and certain yoga poses
like the cat-cow pose and pigeon pose to help relieve sciatica and lower back
pain. You can try spinal decompression exercises as well.
Note: Consult your doctor to help implement the right exercise program for your
case.
5. Capsaicin Cream
Cayenne pepper contains an active ingredient called capsaicin that works as a
natural pain reliever. It helps deplete the levels of a neurotransmitter called
substance P, which transports pain signals.
1. Buy a cream or ointment containing 0.025% to 0.075% capsaicin.
2. Apply it on the affected area up to 4 times a day, at least for 1 week.
Note: Capsaicin cream or ointment may cause a burning sensation initially. Do
not apply it on broken skin.
6. Valerian
Valerian root works as a relaxant and relieves chronic nerve pain. It is particularly
good for easing sciatica pain caused by a muscle spasm.
The herb contains volatile oils that help relax your muscles and ease tension. It is
popularly used as a sleeping aid as well.
Take 150 mg of valerian root supplement 3 times a day for a few weeks.
Consult your doctor first.
You can also drink valerian tea prepared by steeping 1 teaspoon of dried
valerian root in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Drink this herbal tea
several times a week for a few weeks.
Nerve Pain
Prev post1 of 3Next
Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. It usually
affects only one part of the body but tends to be severe and debilitating.
The pain usually extends from the lower back to the rear of the thigh and
down through the leg.
It can be accompanied by symptoms like burning or tingling down the leg,
shooting pain that causes difficulty standing up or sitting down, and numbness
and weakness down the affected leg and even in the toes.
Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated or slipped disc. It can also be
caused by issues like a spinal injury or infection, degenerative disc disease,
pregnancy, spinal stenosis, isthmic spondylolisthesis and piriformis syndrome.
Although there are many conventional treatments for sciatica, they may only
ease the pain temporarily. Plus, most steroid injections can cause serious side
effects.
You can use some home remedies and natural therapies as well to reduce
inflammation and pressure on the irritated sciatic nerve. Plus, in most cases, the
problem goes away with time (around 6 weeks) and rest.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for sciatica.
1. Hot or Cold Compresses
Using hot or cold compresses can help relieve sciatica pain and inflammation.
Heat treatment relaxes tense muscles that may be compressing the sciatic
nerve.
Cold treatment reduces swelling around the nerve and also numbs the pain.
You can also alternate heat and cold, starting with the hot compress and ending
with the cold compress. When using heat, use moist heat like a steamed towel as
it is more effective.
1. Place a hot or cold pack on the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Do this every few hours until you get relief.
Note: Do not use cold compresses if you have circulatory problems.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is another effective natural remedy for sciatica because of its antiinflammatory properties. It contains a compound called curcumin that helps
reduce nerve pain and inflammation.
Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric to 1 cup of milk. You can also add a small
cinnamon stick. Boil the solution. Sweeten this healthy drink with honey
and drink it once or twice daily until you see improvement.
Another option is to take 250 to 500 mg turmeric supplements 3 times a
day for several weeks. Consult your doctor first.
Note: Turmeric may not be suitable for those taking blood thinners or diabetes
medications. Those suffering from gallstones should also avoid it.
3. Massage
Massage therapy can relieve sciatica pain and also help the body heal itself,
especially if the problem is caused by a muscle spasm.
Plus, it helps release tension, stimulate circulation and increase the range of
motion.
Massage the affected area with St. John’s wort oil 2 or 3 times a day until
you get relief. St John’s wort has anti-inflammatory properties that help
relieve sciatica pain and inflammation.
Another option is to add 3 tablespoons of nutmeg powder to 1 cup of
sesame oil. Heat the mixture. Allow it to cool and massage the affected
area with it when it is comfortably warm. Do this a few times a day for a
few weeks.
You can also consider trigger-point massage therapy at least once daily.
Pain in the lower back, buttocks and side of the thighs is often associated
with trigger points in the gluteus medius and minimus muscles.
4. Exercises
In addition to rest, maintaining normal activity is highly beneficial for dealing with
sciatica.
A day or two after a sciatica flare up, you can start a regular exercise program to
strengthen the abdominal and back muscles. Strengthening the core muscles
helps facilitate quick recovery.
You can do Knee to Chest Stretch to help reduce the irritation of the sciatic nerve
and improve flexibility of your lower back.
1. Lie on your back on a mat with your feet straight and hip-width apart.
2. Keep your upper body relaxed and bend your right knee upwards with an
inhale.
3. Clasp your hands behind the thigh and gently pull it towards your chest as
far as is comfortable.
4. Keep the other leg flat on the surface.
5. Hold this position for 20 seconds with controlled deep breaths and then
lower your leg gently.
6. Switch legs and repeat.
7. Repeat 3 to 5 times.
8. Finally do this exercise with both the legs 3 to 5 times.
You can also do exercises like spinal rolling, knees rocking, floor twists,
backblock, back extensions, sciatic-mobilizing stretches and certain yoga poses
like the cat-cow pose and pigeon pose to help relieve sciatica and lower back
pain. You can try spinal decompression exercises as well.
Note: Consult your doctor to help implement the right exercise program for your
case.
5. Capsaicin Cream
Cayenne pepper contains an active ingredient called capsaicin that works as a
natural pain reliever. It helps deplete the levels of a neurotransmitter called
substance P, which transports pain signals.
1. Buy a cream or ointment containing 0.025% to 0.075% capsaicin.
2. Apply it on the affected area up to 4 times a day, at least for 1 week.
Note: Capsaicin cream or ointment may cause a burning sensation initially. Do
not apply it on broken skin.
6. Valerian
Valerian root works as a relaxant and relieves chronic nerve pain. It is particularly
good for easing sciatica pain caused by a muscle spasm.
The herb contains volatile oils that help relax your muscles and ease tension. It is
popularly used as a sleeping aid as well.
Take 150 mg of valerian root supplement 3 times a day for a few weeks.
Consult your doctor first.
You can also drink valerian tea prepared by steeping 1 teaspoon of dried
valerian root in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Drink this herbal tea
several times a week for a few weeks.
