Quick Cures for Sciatica - Exercise, Stretching, and Instant Relief
At some point, you will be ready to learn how to treat sciatic nerve pain - I am talking ways to find lasting relief. But let's be real. You are in pain NOW. You don't have time for chatter. So, here are some nifty and fast cures for sciatica, (well, at least enough for a good break from the pain).
Great Stretch for Fast Relief
Stretching is really important for any sciatican. It keeps your muscles from tightening up and aggravating the sciatic nerve. Where a lot of people go wrong is that they forget to stretch every day - whether or not they are in pain. Here is one stretch that is fast and easy and oh so relaxing.
Horseradish Poultice
This is really one of the best kept secrets of sciatica. It is absolutely insane every time I think about how much relief this gives and how few people know about it. But don't take my word for it, try it for yourself.
1 - get a horseradish root from your grocery store
2 - when you are in pain, cut off a section of the root big enough to cover the spot that hurts
3 - grate the cut section with a grater
4 - put vaseline (or oil) on the area that hurts
5 - dip a cloth into vaseline or oil, then dip it into the grated horseradish root.
6 - put the cloth over the area that hurts.
7 - ***Very Important*** - when the area starts to feel slightly warm, take the cloth off.
1 - get a horseradish root from your grocery store
2 - when you are in pain, cut off a section of the root big enough to cover the spot that hurts
3 - grate the cut section with a grater
4 - put vaseline (or oil) on the area that hurts
5 - dip a cloth into vaseline or oil, then dip it into the grated horseradish root.
6 - put the cloth over the area that hurts.
7 - ***Very Important*** - when the area starts to feel slightly warm, take the cloth off.
Heat or Ice? Which you should use and how to know the difference
Ahhh the great heat or ice debate. It has been on the minds of sciatic sufferers for years. It is actually a very important choice. If you heat an inflamed nerve, what do you get? More inflammation and more pain. Fun huh?
And if you ice a pain that should be getting heat, then you get no relief. It is literally a choice that can make you batty.
So how can you tell which one to use?
It's actually pretty easy. 9 times out of 10, sharp pain means swelling. Swelling means ice is the way to go. 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off should do the trick.
If you are stiff and sore, heat will be your friend. Infrared heating pads seem to be the best at getting to the source of the pain.
And if you ice a pain that should be getting heat, then you get no relief. It is literally a choice that can make you batty.
So how can you tell which one to use?
It's actually pretty easy. 9 times out of 10, sharp pain means swelling. Swelling means ice is the way to go. 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off should do the trick.
If you are stiff and sore, heat will be your friend. Infrared heating pads seem to be the best at getting to the source of the pain.
Laser/LED lights
If you have a buddy, you can use these neat little devices for relief in just a few minutes. They work really well and pretty fast - if your pain is from inflammation, if not, then this is not for you.
All you need to do is have your partner shine the light over the area that you are in pain and keep it there for a few minutes. Relief should come in just a few minutes. You can buy a personal led therapy unit for around $100. Costly but it does work.
All you need to do is have your partner shine the light over the area that you are in pain and keep it there for a few minutes. Relief should come in just a few minutes. You can buy a personal led therapy unit for around $100. Costly but it does work.
