Sciatica is one of the most intense pains a person can suffer, and it can even wholly immobilize them for days. Since the sciatic nerve is the largest and most important, it can prevent us from leading our everyday lives. It is formed by several nerve endings that come from the spinal column. It is an essential nerve for the musculoskeletal system.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It is a nerve in the lumbar part of the spine that passes through the buttocks, the back of the thigh, and the knee. The intense pain usually reaches this part and sometimes extends to the feet.
Common symptoms of sciatica
- Intense back, buttocks, and leg pain can intensify when walking.
- Inability to stay straight.
- The sensation of tingling and numbness in the spine, buttocks, and the sole.
- Weakness in one or both legs.
- The pain is relieved with rest, but it intensifies if we return to any activity.
- Difficulty walking or staying in the same position for a long time.
How to relieve sciatica pain
It may happen that we have had a bad posture, and it has given us a pull on the sciatica nerve and the resulting pain. There are home remedies to cure sciatica. But suppose the pain persists or occurs frequently over time. In that case, it will be necessary to go to the doctor since there are more worrying symptoms associated with spinal pain, such as scoliosis or some vertebra malformation.
Hence, the importance of the doctor, through tests and x-rays, is making a good diagnosis. The key to getting back a life free of sciatica is right before you. Don’t let it pass by – book an appointment today at Chicagopaincontrol and get the help you need!
How to get rid of sciatica
Treatments to cure sciatica are very varied and can sometimes be treated with analgesic or anti-inflammatory medications, whether oral or local (anti-inflammatory ointments). If we tend to suffer from sciatica, it is best to prevent it to avoid having those annoying and painful pulls. Sit firm, with a support cushion in the lumbar area if we sit for a long time.
The drugs
The most common are analgesics and anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen Paracetamol, or more potent medications, such as more muscular muscle relaxants (Diazepam).
The most natural way to combat lower back pain is to regularly take a complex with vitamin B, improving the nerves’ health and strength.
The Massages
A good massage with warm hands reduces nerve compression. We can do it ourselves, with circular movements that pressure the affected part. In any case, the best thing is a professional masseuse or a physiotherapist if the need exists for a specialist to treat the pain.
The exercises
Stretches lying on your back are highly recommended at first, and later, when the pain decreases, you can perform muscle strengthening exercises such as bending the knees, flexing the legs, raising the hips and buttocks…always during the first week of exercises.
Pilates exercises are perfect for this type of pain since they strengthen the lumbar region and abdomen. If we have never tried this type of exercise, we share an article about how to do Pilates from home.
Physiotherapy
The most likely thing is that if the pain is persistent or occurs very regularly, we will need a series of physiotherapy sessions with devices that reduce inflammation of the sciatic nerve, in addition to massages and exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area.
Feeding
A healthy and balanced diet is best recommended for health, and in the case of sciatic nerve inflammation, it is best to avoid processed meats. Such as sausages, during the time we have sciatica pain. Additionally, we can add anti-inflammatory foods to our diet, such as salmon, sesame, garlic, or onion.
Alternative treatments
Acupuncture and foot reflexology not only prevent the appearance of sciatica but also relieve pain and discomfort.
How to cure sciatica permanently
If we are people who frequently suffer from sciatic nerve pain, there are a series of measures that can prevent this pain from returning, and the most notable ones would be the following:
- Don’t stop doing daily stretches, even if your sciatica doesn’t hurt. It is a very effective preventive measure for strengthening the nerves, especially the sciatic nerve.
- Avoid, as far as possible, leading a too-sedentary life, which is in no case suitable for the spine. Walking, Pilates, or swimming are efficient exercises to strengthen the spine and not suffer from sciatica.
- Having the ideal weight is one of the most effective ways to avoid sciatica since the spine will not support as much weight. For this reason, it is common for pregnant women to suffer from sciatica during the later months of pregnancy.
- Do not walk slouched, and keep your spine posture always straight. Keep your abdomen strong to protect it with daily abdominal exercises.
- Take vitamin B complex, which also helps strengthen the lower back, and do it regularly if we are prone to having sciatica.
- Always avoid sudden movements with the back: twists, bending down suddenly, jumping out of bed, and, in general, sudden movements that could damage the area.
