“Oh, my back!” Do you find yourself saying this often? You could be suffering from sciatica, a discomfort caused by compression of the sciatic nerve.
This nerve is the longest in the body, extending from the lower back to the feet. Compression can result from a pulled muscle, skeletal misalignment, injury, chronic inflammation, a herniated disk, pressure during pregnancy, spinal tumors, a tight piriformis muscle, or even other causes.
Sciatica pain can be very severe, ranging from tingling in the legs to a sharp, stabbing pain in the back, buttocks, legs, and/or feet. Whatever the cause, when you feel the pain, the first thing you want is to get rid of it.
Cortisone injections, strong pharmaceutical painkillers, and over-the-counter painkillers are temporary and dangerous solutions that mask the pain but do not solve the problem of sciatica.
Common Pain Relievers: Are They Really the Solution?
Cortisone and other corticosteroids have been found to worsen the problem they are supposed to treat over time, as they hinder natural healing (1).
In addition, they can have serious side effects: seizures, vision problems, pancreatitis, severe depression, insomnia, headaches and dizziness, nausea, and skin problems (2).
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can damage the liver. Aspirin can irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, causing ulcers.
Pain relievers can be addictive, and their effectiveness decreases over time, requiring increasingly higher doses to relieve sciatica pain.
Finding the cause of the compression is important to alleviate the problem and the accompanying pain.
Below, you will find 5 natural remedies for sciatica pain that will actually help, rather than just mask the pain, while you work on the physiological cause of your sciatica.
1. Gentle Stretches
Check out the short video below for simple stretches that will loosen your lower back and relieve sciatic nerve pain.
2. Alternating Heat and Cold
Heat expands, cold contracts. When a pinched nerve is the problem, optimizing blood flow is critical. Apply a heat pack or soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts to relax your muscles.
Immediately afterward, apply an ice pack to your lower back until the ice pack is no longer cold. Repeat this several times a day. Blood flow is promoted through the physical expansion and contraction of muscles and blood vessels.
3. Arnica
Applied topically, this herb has been found to significantly reduce inflammation. (3) You can make your own salve; click here for a simple four-ingredient recipe.
4. Turmeric
This medicinal golden spice is an effective anti-inflammatory. Take it with black pepper to enhance its bioavailability. You can add it to everything you eat or make a golden milk drink to warm your entire body and reduce sciatica pain.
5. Willow Bark
The pain-relieving active ingredient in willow bark is what aspirin was originally made from: salicylic acid.
With antioxidant flavonoids, tannins, catechins, and anti-inflammatory properties, a white willow bark tea, tincture, or capsule can help reduce the swelling and pain of sciatica. Unlike aspirin, it is a natural product, and its pain relief properties lasts longer than the synthetic version.
ATTENTION!
If you know you’re sensitive to aspirin, willow bark isn’t for you. And just to be extra safe, you should also avoid willow bark if you have: asthma, diabetes, gout, gastritis, hemophilia, stomach ulcers, or any kidney or liver problems. It’s also not recommended for kids under 16.
Also, willow bark doesn’t play well with some medications. So, SKIP IT if you’re taking NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) or any kind of blood-thinning medication.
Want to try making Willow Bark Tea? Here’s how:
- Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of willow bark with 8 ounces of water.
- Bring it to a boil and let it bubble away for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit (steep) for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Strain out the bark, and you’re good to go!
A little honey can make it taste even better if you like things a bit sweeter.”
I hope this helps relieve your sciatica pain. Take care of yourself!
References:
(1) https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/do-cortisone-shots-actually-make-things-worse/?_r=0
(2) https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs-supplements/cortisone/
(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39520030/