Table of contents:
- There are many effective ways to treat sciatica pain
- 1. Exercise
- 2. Acupuncture
- 3. Trigger point massage
- 4. Chiropractic care
- 5. Epidural steroid injections
Sciatica pain is pain that occurs when the sciatic nerve is damaged or pinched in the lower back. This nerve is located in the lower back to the feet, precisely below the knees. The pain apart from attacking the waist and buttocks also generally attacks one part of the leg with unbearable pain. Some people liken this pain to pain during a toothache.
Generally, this condition is caused by a disc (disc) of the joint protruding into the spine and pressing on a nerve. Various ways from exercise to epidural steroid injections can help treat sciatica pain and ease the pain.
There are many effective ways to treat sciatica pain
There are various effective ways to treat sciatica pain. Among them are:
1. Exercise
When the pain strikes, people who experience sciatica pain usually prefer to lie down all day rather than be active. However, Birgit Ruppert, a physical therapist from the Spine Center in the United States (US) states that lying down and staying in bed actually makes your pain settle longer.
Instead, you should engage in a variety of physical activities as this can increase blood flow to the disks and nerves. This will help get rid of the chemicals that cause inflammation.
No need for strenuous exercise, you only need to walk 15-20 minutes. If you find that you feel uncomfortable, you can swim or do aerobic exercise in the water. Doing water sports can reduce the pressure on your back which can relieve pain.
In addition, you can also go to a therapist to help you choose suitable stretches and exercises to help restore flexibility, stabilize the spine, and reduce the severity of the injury.
2. Acupuncture
A study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found evidence that out of 30 people who felt sciatica pain, 17 felt cured and 10 others admitted that their complaints had lessened after doing acupuncture.
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine by sticking special needles in specific points on the body. These points are usually located along meridians or vital energy and force points of the body.
Stimulating points along the body's meridians is thought to remove blockages and stimulate the central nervous system. That way, the body is expected to release a variety of pain-relieving chemicals that ultimately relieve the symptoms of sciatica.
3. Trigger point massage
Source: Serenity Healing Studio
Trigger point massage is one of the most effective ways to treat sciatica pain. Trigger point massage means doing massage at the point where the pain arises. This method is usually done on the piriformis muscles, lower back muscles (waist), and glutes (thighs).
See a professional therapist who can provide massage at the right point. Generally, you need to do 7 to 10 treatments. But back again, not everyone is suitable for this treatment. You can replace it with another treatment if this method does not provide change or does not relieve pain.
4. Chiropractic care
Source: Wellness Chiropractic Center
Chiropractic care is a type of therapy that is done to help overcome bone and muscle problems through manual manipulation so that the body is able to heal itself.
Research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that people who visited a chiropractor 3 times a week 4 four weeks and continued with weekly visits began to feel positive changes and could reduce treatment.
According to Gordon McMorland, DC of National Spine Care in Alberta, USA states that spinal manipulation can create a nervous system response that can reduce pain and restore normal joint mobility back to normal. In addition, this treatment is also reported to help reduce inflammation.
5. Epidural steroid injections
If you experience pain that is persistent and does not go away within a month, your doctor will generally recommend steroid injections. This epidural steroid injection is done by injecting the drug directly into the spinal cord and usually using an X-ray to the lower back near the sciatic nerve.
This is done so that the injection is done at the right point. Epidural steroid injections are performed with the intention of reducing inflammation within the nerve branches. As a result, the part that is injected will be numb because this injection blocks the nerve by preventing the brain from sending signals to the lower body.
