Soothe Your Sciatic Pain
If you suffer from sciatic pain, you've probably heard that chiropractic care can help provide relief. Unlike surgery or medication, chiropractic treatments effectively help sciatic symptoms without uncomfortable or risky side effects. When seeking chiropractic for sciatic pain relief, remember that when doing something, you might as well do it right, and that usually takes some time. Repair, relief, and healing don't happen in an instant. Regular chiropractic visits can help provide long-term pain relief, but what if you need relief right now?
As you continue with your regular chiropractic adjustments, there are some additional steps you can take to help you find the relief you are seeking. Remember that everyone's body is different, and what works for you might not work for someone else. Sciatic pain can be incredibly frustrating, and if you keep an open mind, you might be surprised by the therapies that can help you!
SOAK IN EPSOM SALTS
People have been using epsom salt baths for years because of their restorative properties. A soak in an epsom salt bath can relax the nervous system and also assists in drawing toxins out of the body. The warm water increases circulation and reduces inflammation, which creates a perfect combination to promote relaxation that many find provides relief for sciatic pain.
ACUPUNCTURE
For some, the thought of acupuncture makes them cringe! But in the last few years, there has been a growing interest in the benefits of acupuncture, which is a form of therapy that uses needles to stimulate the healing process of the body. An acupuncture study focused on sciatica found that a test group exposed to warming acupuncture found relief from their painful sciatic symptoms. The therapy also increased the pain tolerance of the patients involved. The other test groups were given medication, and the group treated with warming acupuncture showed a significantly higher improvement rate.
STRETCHING AND YOGA
As chiropractors, we know the value of stretching. If you are experiencing sciatic pain, we suggest you stay away from high-intensity exercise. On the other hand, if you start to lead a sedentary lifestyle, you might find inactivity to be just as damaging. Stretching and yoga lengthen and strengthen the spine and improve posture, all while helping with stiffness. Some even enjoy reduced inflammation. Studies show that yoga is both safe and effective for those with sciatica.
COLD AND HEAT THERAPIES
When used properly, cold and heat therapies provide relief for a variety of types of pain, sciatica included. The trick is determining whether you need cold or heat. One way to do this is to be aware of exactly what kind of pain your are experiencing. If you are feeling aches and pains, go with heat therapy as it can loosen tight muscles, dull pain, and increase circulation. If you are experiencing swelling, cold therapy is the better option as it reduces inflammation by restricting blood flow. Some find the perfect combination by alternating between the two.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET
You might not realize just how much your diet impacts your body. When the sciatic nerve is inflamed, you experience a number of problems, most commonly pain. A great way to fight inflammation is through your diet. If you are consuming a diet high in refined sugars, trans fats, and oxidized cholesterol, a change is in order. Try adding more whole, organic foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, dark berries, and fermented vegetables which can help reduce inflammation.
If you combine these tips with your regular chiropractic adjustments, you will be on the path to relieving your sciatic pain. Do you have any suggestions to help relieve sciatica? Let us know in the comments!