Tip! Another cause of sciatica is trauma caused by accidents.

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Sciatica Home Treatment

Sciatica home treatment is the first route many people take on their path to pain relief. Insurance companies these days do not always cover costs related to back injuries and physical therapy can become quite expensive. Some of the simplest sciatica home treatments can be also be the most effective.

Tip! There are six typical causes of Sciatica.

Drugs and other pills

Over the counter pain relievers work very well for moderate bouts of sciatica. Two of the most commonly used drugs in sciatica home treatment, ibuprofen and naproxen, both NSAIDs, effectively reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Aspirin can also be used, but NSAIDs usually have less gastrointestinal side effects. Another common pain reliever, acetaminophen, can help, but does not address the inflammation associated with sciatica. Doctors have sometimes recommended using acetaminophen in conjunction with a NSAID as the medications work differently and may be easier on the body then taking high doses of a NSAID.

Tip! Some cases of sciatica which result from inflammation get better with time and heal themselves perhaps within six weeks to three months.

Heat and Cold

Heating pads, hot water bottles, hot compresses and baths are ways of applying heat for sciatica home treatment. Heat helps to loosen and relax tight muscles, possibly easing pressure on the sciatic nerve. In order to prevent burns, heat sources should not be applied to direct skin for extended periods of time. Ice, another good remedy for reducing pain, also decreases inflammation. Again, care should be taken not to use the ice pack in one area for too long to avoid the possibility of frostbite. Health practitioners differ as to how to most effectively use heat and cold therapies. Some say ice should be used only during the most acute phase of the sciatic episode and heat thereafter. Others recommend alternating heat cold for fifteen minute intervals.

Tip! For sciatica sufferers, a good night’s sleep may be a thing of the past. Simple things like walking, sitting, or standing up can be difficult or impossible.

Stretching and Strengthening

While most effective in preventing future episodes of sciatica, exercise can be an excellent sciatica home treatment for a person currently suffering from the condition. Stretching the spine, hamstrings and hip flexors can ease some of the discomfort, but great care should be taken stop the movement before at the discomfort level and before any pain is felt. Doing gentle abdominal exercises can help to provide support for the affected area and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. Once the person is fully mobile, a regular exercise routine will reduce the possibility of another sciatic episode. Yoga and Pilates are two disciplines which incorporate both stretching and strengthening of muscles, especially in the abdomen and back.

TENS Unit

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is the use of gentle electrical currents to interrupt pain signals, preventing them from reaching the brain. Electrodes are placed on the skin surrounding the site of the pain and the TENS unit is turned on for a recommended amount of time. The pain will usually decrease only while the unit is on, but some individuals have reported relief lasting as long as several hours after the TENS session. Physical therapists often use this type of therapy in their offices, but units for home treatment of sciatica are also available.

Tip! To complicate matters, although sciatica pain is usually in the back of the legs or thighs, some people may feel pain in the front or side of the legs or even in the hips.

Holistic Remedies for Sciatica Home Treatment

Ginger has long been used as a treatment for inflammation. The effects are not immediate, however, and may be better for preventative treatment. Omega-3 fatty acids are another supplement with anti-inflammatory properties. Acupressure, a type of pressure point massage, can decrease pain by applying pressure to certain points on the body. Many of these pressure points can be accessed without the help of another person. Some holistic practitioners have suggested meditation as a sciatica home treatment. When a person achieves a state of complete relaxation, the muscles also relax, reducing pain caused by or exacerbated by muscle spasms.

If symptoms continue to persist or worsen, sciatica home treatment may not be enough and advice from a medical professional should be sought.

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