When the sciatic nerve gets pinched, pain and discomfort are the results. Often, the pain shoots down a leg. Simply put, the cause of sciatic pain is the sciatic nerve being pinched in the lower spine. Pregnancy, a degenerative disc disease or lower back injury can all be causes of this issue.
Many people can still function even while suffering from this nerve pain, but some are so affected they can't carry on normal, everyday events. Here are 8+ ways to help alleviate your nerve pain at home.
1. Seating. Being careful about what you sit in can help save some pain and discomfort. According to emedicinehealth, sciatica sufferers should avoid soft, low chairs.
2. Stretching. If you are suffering throughout the day, the Laser Spine Institute says to do some stretches to alleviate the compression of the lower back. Stretching may also release your body's natural pain killer - endorphins.
3. Yoga. Prevention recommends doing yoga to help stretch out the lower back and strengthen your core muscles in a low-impact manner.
4. Lying. If you can, when you're having a problem, emedicinehealth says to lie down on a firm surface like the floor. Place a pillow under your knees and press you lower back against the surface.
5. Strengthening. Sometimes, the cause of the pinched nerve is bad posture or using your back muscles incorrectly. Take time to strengthen the core muscles, says Laser Spine Institute.
6. Chiropractics. Prevention recommends seeing a chiropractor and having an adjustment done to move the discs back to their proper place.
7. Acupuncture. Some people find relief from acupuncture. As long as needles don't bother you, Prevention says to give this a try.
8. Fire and ice. Hot and cold compresses are great for pain. The Laser Spine Institute says that the cold will reduce inflammation of the area which may be putting pressure on the nerve. The heat will help encourage blood flow to the area, inspiring healing.
9. Pain killer. If the discomfort is too much, emedicinehealth says that most over-the-counter pain killers will give some relief: acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin are all options.
Lower back pain can get in the way of everyday life if left untreated. Try these remedies to help eliminate and control your discomfort.