At-Home Sciatic Pain Treatment Tips From a Chiropractor

Looking into your sciatica pain treatment options? The sciatica nerve is the largest nerve in the body, and when irritated, it can cause a great deal of pain. The fact that chiropractors can treat sciatica pain makes them the go-to professional for those who are in need of pain relief.

About sciatica

Wondering if sciatica pain treatment is in your near future? According to Spine Health, sciatica is a term used to describe nerve pain in the leg that is caused by irritation and/or compression of the sciatic nerve. Because sciatica tends to start in the lower back and then radiate through the buttocks and down one leg, those who are diagnosed with sciatica often experience pain. Additional sciatica symptoms include leg numbness and heaviness.

Since sciatica is often a symptom of an underlying condition, including a herniated lumbar disc, lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar spinal stenosis, choosing to undergo chiropractic treatment allows those diagnosed to find out whether their case of sciatica is indeed caused by an underlying health condition.

Tips for managing sciatica pain when at home

Though the following tips can be helpful in easing or masking pain temporarily, the truly effective way to relieve sciatica pain in the long term is to address the root of the problem with a healthcare professional like a chiropractor.

Cold therapy and heat therapy

Both ice packs and heating pads can bring a degree of pain relief to sciatica patients. When it comes to which option will bring patients a higher degree of pain relief, it simply depends on each individual patient. This makes it a good idea for patients to try each type of therapy in order to learn which type of therapy is ideal for addressing their sciatic pain. Wrapping an ice pack in a towel and then placing it on one's lower back for 15 minutes at a time can help reduce any inflammation present. Placing a heating pad on the lower back for up to 20 minutes helps dilate the blood vessels, which in turn, increases blood flow.

Stretch therapy

Stretching and performing gentle exercises helps increase one's blood circulation, which in turn, helps reduce any pain they are experiencing. For those who are experiencing sciatic pain, stretching the hamstrings is recommended. Stretching the hamstrings supports their ability to become loose, which in turn, allows patients to experience less pain. Hamstring stretches require one to sit on the edge of a chair with one foot flat on the floor, with the heel of the other leg being placed on the floor as far as one can reach. Next, it is necessary to slowly lean forward while making sure to keep one's shoulders and head in an upright position until a gentle stretching is felt behind the leg.

Massage therapy

Massage therapy can work wonders for those who are diagnosed with sciatica and are experiencing pain in their lower back, buttocks and/or leg. Massage helps soothe tense muscles, as when one's muscles are tense, they tend to put more pressure on the nerves, which in turn, can cause more sciatic nerve pain. Massaging any tense muscles helps stretch and loosen them, which in turn, allows those diagnosed with sciatica to experience less and possibly even no pain.

Got questions?

Are you in need of sciatica pain treatment? When someone is diagnosed with sciatica, they may be in need of treatment in order to address their levels of pain. Chiropractors can perform the chiropractic care that sciatica patients need, so they do not have to experience so much pain. For those who want to manage their sciatic pain when at home, the above tips should prove to be beneficial.

Request an appointment here: https://victoryspinecenter.com or call Victory Spine Center at (707) 509-1143 for an appointment in our Vacaville office.

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