How to Deal With Sciatic Pain
By Sara Butler
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body, running from your lower back down both your legs. When there's a problem with the nerve and it becomes inflamed, a condition called sciatica, the results can be excruciating. The pain can be so intense that it can interrupt the things you must do during a normal day, so it's not something many people can ignore and carry on with. That's where the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic come in handy. They can help by treating sciatic pain at its source and also have a few recommendations for other things you can do to help you find relief.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Most of the time, sciatic nerve pain is caused by an irritation to the nerve. This can be caused by a variety of things. If you're not sure what, then you need the help of a chiropractor. They can help you determine what is causing your pain and help you to address it. Often, they help to relieve the root cause of the problem with chiropractic adjustments that remove joint dysfunctions and restrictions that can be irritating the nerve. Plus, chiropractic adjustments can help your nervous system to work to repair any damage that has occurred, helping your body to heal itself.
Hot and Cold
When you can't be at the chiropractor, you can also work to relieve sciatic pain with good old-fashioned ice and heat. Start out with an ice pack and place it on the source of the pain for up to 15 minutes. Then switch to a warm compress such as a hot water bottle in the same area. The cold helps to relieve the pain while the heat helps to encourage blood flow as it helps to relieve muscle tension.
Massage
Massage is also a great tool to help you manage sciatic nerve pain. Sometimes the muscles around the sciatic nerve can become tight and place even more pressure on the nerve, which results in more intense pain. Massage can help relieve that pressure and reduce irritation. It's a great tool to use in conjunction with regular chiropractic care to keep your muscles flexible.
Stretching
Speaking of flexible muscles, they're key to helping reduce sciatic nerve pain. Stretching first thing in the morning can help loosen muscle and improve muscle strength too. If you can build up muscle strength, then it can take some of the pressure off your sciatic nerve and help you find relief. Talk to the chiropractor about some stretches that can be effective for you.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.