Sciatica Home Remedies You Can Try at Home
Sciatica pain can be such a great annoyance. It can keep you from things you should do or want to do. You will find yourself minding pain most of the time rather than enjoying what matters in life. Thankfully, we have sciatica home remedies to get rid of this annoying pain.
A wide variety of treatment options available for sciatica. These include medications and, usually as a last resort, surgery when all the remedies are not effective.
However, there are home remedies that may also be beneficial in dealing with sciatica leg pain. Many people can actually get over the symptoms through the help of these, making a visit to your doctor not entirely essential – at least for the meantime. You will find below some of these remedies that may provide you some level of relief.
Sciatica Home Remedies
Let’s learn what we have at home and how to use them to get away from the Sciatica pain.
Turmeric
Many people know turmeric as that spice that gives curry its color. These days, more and more people are beginning to appreciate its medicinal properties known as curcuminoids. The most notable of these compounds is curcumin.
The active ingredient has a reputation for its anti-inflammatory potency. In addition, turmeric also has analgesic properties. It is for these reasons that the spice is thought to be potentially helpful for sciatica.
Garlic
This is one of the more common home remedies for sciatica. Garlic, widely known for its medicinal properties, is a powerful, natural anti-inflammatory. It can help to control inflammation and pain that comes with sciatica.
You may take it as it is or use it to make garlic milk. For the latter, you mix crushed garlic cloves with milk and water. You then boil this for a few minutes and drink when it cools.
White Willow Bark
You can relieve the pain of sciatica with the bark of the white willow tree. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to provide pain relief for many years.
Sometimes, you may hear people call it “natural aspirin.” This is because it has an active ingredient known as salicin, a derivative of which you will find in the popular painkiller. It controls inflammation and fights pain.
You can make tea with white willow bark and drink about three times daily for noticeable improvement.
Ginger
The ginger family has a reputation for producing many health benefits. Turmeric is even sometimes considered a member.
Ginger contains gingerol, more correctly called [6]-gingerol. This active ingredient, which shares some level of chemical similarity with capsaicin, boasts properties that help to reduce pain sensation.
Ginger is available as an essential oil that you apply externally for relief. You can also use it to make tea. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties have been found useful in controlling sciatica symptoms.
Chamomile
Here is another herb that is commonly used to relieve different types of pain, including sciatica. Chamomile is also beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It produces a soothing effect on the affected parts.
To use, boil some amount of chamomile or pour into a cup of hot water to make tea. Drink the tea at least three times daily.
Celery Juice
When it comes to enjoying great health, this is one of those things that you can consider to make that possible. Among the different benefits, celery juice offers an amazing means of enjoying relief from pain, including sciatica. It contains properties that can fight inflammation and relieve pain.
If you wish to try it out, just get some fresh celery and cut into small bits. Add water and blend together. Drink this two times a day until you see improvement in symptoms. Of course, you may continue drinking after that.
Lemon Juice
One of the most important ways to effectively deal with sciatica is by ensuring you have an adequate intake of the right vitamins and minerals. Among these is vitamin C. The most popular source of this is citrus fruits, including lemon.
A glass of lemon juice taken daily can boost the ability of your body to fight inflammation. As a result, it can reduce the symptoms of sciatica.
Stretching and Yoga
Your level of activity or the nature of your occupation and body posture can either predispose you to sciatica or protect you against it. For instance, you may find that your pain is worse when you remain in a sitting position for a long time.
When there is a reduced activity, your muscles can tighten and become relatively stiff. This can trigger pain. Anything that can help to work them will, therefore, be beneficial.
Stretching exercises are typically recommended for working the muscles and ensuring flexibility. They help to lengthen the spine, improve your posture, and fight inflammation.
It has also been found that yoga movements and poses can be of great help to people with sciatica. The types you are likely to find most beneficial are those that target the lower back, relax stiff areas, and build strength.
Heating Pads
These offer very affordably sciatica home remedies for managing sciatica at home. Many people can attest to the benefits of heating pads in achieving almost immediate relief. These are placed on the lower back for about 20 minutes every few hours in a day.
The heat helps to improve blood circulation. It also loosens up tight muscles, thereby giving you relief from pain.
Warm baths can be other sciatica home remedies for similar results.
There is also the option of using ice packs. Some people find that these work better for them. Still, there are patients who alternate between the two.
Among the other options for treatment of sciatica that you can try out at home is massage. This can help to relax your muscles and improve circulation to fight pain.
It also helps to avoid anything that can promote inflammation, including smoking and excessive stress. Adequate water intake will be beneficial as well.
It is important to point out, though, that most sciatica home remedies do not address the underlying cause. It is advisable to contact a chiropractor for more thorough treatment. Such a professional has the skills to pin down the cause of your pain. They can also suggest more appropriate steps to correct it and promote natural healing.
Chiropractic spinal adjustments have been found to be quite effective for treating sciatica. Research shows that a majority of patients who didn’t see improvement from medical treatment got relief through spinal manipulation.