Posts Tagged ‘sciatic pain relief’

Sciatica Pain Relief Options

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Sciatica sufferers are always looking for the best pain relief. When the sciatic nerve is inflamed, that is when you will feel the pain and discomfort. The symptoms of the condition include: burning and tingling sensations, shooting pain, weakness, and numbness. The best sciatica pain relief is just waiting for you! But you will have to consult your doctor about it!

The shooting pain is very alarming and there are times when you can’t move around with ease. Millions of people are suffering from sciatica and because of this, there is an increase in the demand for sciatica pain relief. There are health conditions that require surgery, but once these things are ruled out, you can choose among different treatment options.

Doctors usually recommend the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines. The most popular of these treatments are NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin. Tylenol is an analgesic and it is very popular in treating the pain. Muscle relaxants and codeine preparations are also recommended for acute sciatica. Higher doses of corticosteroids are injected directly on the spinal area.

You can also do simple exercises for sciatica, but this is only possible if the pain has disappeared. You will need to rest for several days until the pain goes away. Don’t stay too long in bed because this will only make the condition worse. Instead, it is best to start with exercises that can enhance your flexibility. If you don’t use your muscles, they will grow weak. There is a significant need to protect and support the spine joints. With regular exercise, you may be able to promote healing. Circulation is also improved when you perform the right exercises.

The right treatment for sciatica depends on the root cause of the problem. When you have sciatica, the muscles in the spinal area are very tight. Through simple stretches, you can loosen the muscles and give the sciatic nerve more room. You also need to stretch the muscles in the hamstrings, buttocks and lower back.

Surgery is the last option for those suffering from sciatica. If the treatments or exercises recommended above do not work, you should consult your doctor. Surgery is invasive and costly. It is best to give yourself a chance to try the natural treatments and medications for sciatica first, before turning to surgery.

Sciatica Pain Treatment: Can Acupuncture Treat Chronic Back Pain?

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

sciatica-pain-treatmentAcupuncture has been used for centuries as a chronic pain treatment, and often as a sciatica pain treatment. According to wikipedia, acupuncture is based on the premise that bodily functions are regulated by the flow of an energy-like entity called qi. Acupuncture aims to correct imbalances in the flow of qi by stimulation of anatomical locations on or under the skin called acupuncture points, most of which are connected by channels known as meridians. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of ailments, but is foound especially helpful in the treatment of chronic pain.

Acupuncture is believed to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals that block pain, called endorphins. Many acu-points are near nerves. When stimulated, these nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle. The stimulated muscle sends a message to the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), causing the release of endorphins (morphine-like chemicals produced in our own bodies during times of pain or stress). Endorphins, along with other neurotransmitters, block the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain.

Although acupuncture is not a cure for sciatica pain, it is very effective in treating several diseases and conditions. Acupuncture is most effective at treating chronic pain, such as headaches; menstrual cramps; and low back (sciatica pain), neck, or muscle pain. It can also be used to treat arthritis, facial pain, pain from shingles, and spastic colon and colitis conditions. Acupuncture has also been successful in treating obesity and addictions such as nicotine or drugs. Acupuncture also can improve the functioning of the immune system!

If you are suffering from sciatica pain, what’s stopping you from trying acupuncture as a sciatica pain treatment? There are many acupuncturists that are now offering a sliding fee scale for low income households – and quite frankly the fees are minimal compared to traditional medicine!

 

Sciatica Pain Treatment: Shiatsu

Friday, November 11th, 2011

scaitica pain treatmentWhile there are many therapies and medications that can be used as a sciatica pain treatment, shiatsu is one that we don’t commonly discuss. Shiatsu is an eastern massage technique which may help relax the muscles in the back and neck. It is said that shiatsu dates back about one thousand years to the country of Japan.  In Japan, a traditional shiatsu practitioner is usually a small gentleman who uses his palms, thumbs, fingers and knees to provide a rhythmic massage for pain relief.

Shiatsu as a sciatica pain treatment may be beneficial as it is believed that applying pressure in specific spots will encourage the ki, or chi, to flow through the bones, arteries, muscles and skin of the affected area.

The core belief behind shiatsu is that the body has the power to heal itself. The massage aspect of shiatsu is simply a means of encouragement for healing through the body’s energy. The massage may also help to release blocked energy that may be causing pain.

Shiatsu sessions usually last about an hour, most people state that they feel extremely relaxed afterward. In fact, some people claim that shiatsu has effectively eliminated the pain of sciatica in five sessions or less, making it a very intriguing sciatica pain treatment option.