What is Sciatica? Is there a way to heal naturally?
Sciatica is a term to refer to the feeling of numbness and pain that throbs along the sciatic nerve. The pain can start from the lower back to the buttocks/glutes and down to the legs. Sciatica happens in 40% of adults in the US alone. This is a common experience in both young and old people. And so, we ask, Is there really a way of healing sciatica naturally?
Commonly, it only affects one side of the body depending on the pressure part of the nerve. In some cases, discomfort might be obvious throughout both legs. This is condition relates to back pain which mostly felt first.
Causes
Sciatica is a condition that affects your sciatic nerve. The Sciatic nerve is very sensitive that such pressure will squeeze the nerve and cause you to feel pain and discomfort. The major cause of sciatica is Sciatic nerve compression or lumbar radiculopathy.
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Here are the common causes of Sciatic nerve compression
- Herniated disc - This is the bulging of the jelly-like disc between the vertebrae.
- lumbar spinal stenosis - This is the shrinking of the spinal canal, where the nerve is.
- spondylolisthesis - This is the vertebra slipping forward and causes misalignment of the spine.
- trauma - Direct force hitting the body
- piriformis syndrome - Is a neuromuscular disorder that can cause painful spasm in the piriformis muscle located in the buttock region.
- spinal tumors - abnormal growth of tissue around the spine.
Symptoms
The symptoms can vary from tingling, numbness to sharp, electrical pulses that run across the Sciatic nerve. This is the longest nerve in the body and is responsible for controlling the legs. It has a direct line from the lower back, down to the feet. Usually, the pain and discomfort subside in about 4 to 8 weeks. A good amount of rest and stretching relieves the pain over time.
Although, the process of healing can take a long time because, healing will depend on the gravity of the condition and the body's response. However, natural ways of helping our body heal can hasten the body's ability to heal.
Can we heal sciatica naturally?
Mudra Therapy
This is an ancient science which connects Qi (energy) mind and body. Mudra help heal and balance emotions. It is close to Qigong and practiced by Yogis. The therapy uses hand movements and exercises that will make use of the body's elemental energy flow. This will bring back health and healing throughout the body.
In Mudra energy starts by pressing a certain finger that you can control and make energy flow. Through joining the tips of two fingers, you will be tapping the element it is representing.
Acupuncture
This is a Chinese ancient technique that heals and works by setting off the energy. This alternative treatment of sciatica is performed by an acupuncturist, inserting a very fine needle on the skin. Acupuncture points are certain parts of the body where the acupuncturist put the needle. Acupuncture can surge the flow of energy and improve blood circulation. Acupuncture can similarly aid nerve activity and make healing fast.
Massage
Massages has a lot of success stories, not just is sciatic patients. When it comes to managing and controlling pain, massages are very promising. This can sometimes replace the use of medication in treating of body aches and even relieve stress. This is a good way to heal sciatica naturally and without the hassle of taking pain killers.
Accupressure massages can boost physical, mental and emotional energy as well. This works similarly with acupuncture but without the needles, just triggering the pressure points.
Herbs and Juices
Taking the power of healing from natural herbs and plants around us. Ever since, different tribes and cultures around the world is using herbs to heal. They gather herbs and use it as teas and juices and sometimes eaten raw. Even now, herbals are used as a mixture to creams and ointments. There are a lot of healing elements in herbs. In addition, herbs can carry not just vitamins and minerals, but it much needed hormones that is good for the body.
Stretches
Moving around is the last thing people with sciatica would want to do. Many patients experienced that soft gentle and dynamic stretches helps the healing process. Gentle back stretches will also stimulate and restore blood flow and ease the pain. Stretches can also strengthen back muscles and improve mobility; thus, help heal sciatica the natural way.
Soft training similar to Qigong, Taichi, Yoga and other ancient healing form are good support. It is important to work out the muscles in the glutes, thighs and legs and feet to releases pent up tension and tightness in the muscles. The tension builds up the pain and limit the muscle's ability to stretch. Therefore, stretching softly eases tension and relieves pain.
The pain that Sciatica brings can be crippling above all, managing the cause and effect of it can help as well. Therefore, it is very important to prevent it from happening. This is why strength training for Mobility is a must to heal sciatica naturally!