5 Ways To Relieve Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica is a painful condition that can affect any person over time. The pain can be quite uncomfortable and persistent. Therefore, it is useful to know some home remedies to relieve the symptoms of sciatica.
You can collect several simple items at home to treat the pain while you wait for more specialized treatment. So, in today’s article, we’ll show you 5 easy ways to prepare hot or cold compresses to treat sciatica symptoms.
What is the sciatic nerve?
The sciatic nerve or sciatic nerve is a very important nerve in the body. It branches from the sacral plexus or sacral plexus, a network of nerves located in the lumbosacral spine, or lower back.
This nerve allows the body to move and feel sensations in the following areas:
- thighs
- Knees
- Calves
- Ankles
- Feet
- fingers
What is sciatica and what are the symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica is named after the nerve affected by the pain. The condition can be very painful and can last for several days. However, for the most part, it only affects one part of the body. It covers the lower part of the thigh in the back and runs down the entire leg and bottom of our feet.
In most cases, sciatica patients experience the following symptoms:
- Burning feeling
- Tingling
- Stabbing pain
- Numbness
- Weakness in legs and feet
These symptoms often occur in the lower half of the body.
What Causes Sciatica?
Lumbar canal stenosis, or when the bones along the sciatic nerve show damage, is a common cause of sciatica. Tumors can also be a possible cause because they compress the nerve and cause pain.
Pregnancy can also lead to sciatica. In this case, the uterus presses against the internal organs, causing muscle contractions.
5 Ways To Relieve Sciatica Symptoms At Home
The pain that results from sciatica can be terrible. Therefore, there are various chemical treatments available today. However, natural methods are one of the best alternatives for pain relief. Now let’s take a look at how to prepare five different hot or cold compresses to relieve the pain.
1. Alternating hot and cold packs
Applying heat to relieve sciatica is very effective. Hot packs act as muscle relaxants. Meanwhile, cold compresses also relieve and reduce swelling around the nerve, while numbing the area, as it were.
Alternating hot and cold packs to relieve symptoms of sciatica is a great solution to do at home for times when the pain is unbearable.
What do you need?
- 2 towels
- cold water
- hot water
What should you do to relieve the symptoms of sciatica?
- First of all, soak one of the towels in the hot water and place it on the affected area for twenty minutes.
- Soak the other towel in cold water.
- Remove the warm towel and then put the cold towel on the same spot for 20 minutes.
- Repeat.
2. Potato Pack To Treat Sciatica Symptoms
Potatoes have effective anti-inflammatory properties. You can use all the pulp, skin and juice of a potato for beauty and medicinal products.
Along with a little heat , potatoes can go a long way in relieving pain and reducing swelling in your legs when symptoms of sciatica occur.
What do you need?
- 4 potatoes
- small towel
What should you do to relieve the symptoms of sciatica?
- First of all, boil 4 potatoes.
- Then peel and puree them.
- Then cover the towel with the puree and apply it on the affected area.
- When the towel has cooled, apply a new one.
- Repeat for one hour.
3. Pack with ginger and sesame seeds
Thanks to its properties, ginger is one of the most commonly used natural plants for inflammation. In addition, sesame seeds contain antioxidant, moisturizing, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that work well with ginger to combat the pain that results from sciatica.
What do you need?
- 1/2 cup sesame oil (125 ml)
- 1 ginger root
- 1 small towel
What should you do to relieve the symptoms of sciatica?
- First, heat the sesame oil in a microwave or au bain-marie.
- Then chop the ginger and add it to the oil.
- After that, dip the towel in the oil mixture and apply it on the affected area for 20 minutes.
4. Chamomile Pack
Chamomile is a plant with anti-inflammatory properties and antiseptic components. Thanks to these benefits, you can use it as a tonic for joint and muscle pain.
In addition, drinking chamomile tea is a great way to better absorb its properties. Its use is not only limited to sciatica pain, but it is also good for, for example, rheumatism, swollen limbs or as a mouthwash.
What do you need?
- 2 cups of water (500 ml)
- 2 tablespoons chamomile (30 gr.)
- a towel
What should you do to relieve the symptoms of sciatica?
- First heat the water and add the chamomile.
- Then let it pull.
- Then strain the tea and soak the towel in the water.
- Finally, place the towel on the affected area until the towel is no longer warm.
- Repeat for 2 hours.
5. Cold compress
The packs mentioned earlier are usually applied as a hot pack. However, some people prefer cold compresses. In addition, cold compresses are a natural remedy for pain and swelling. You do not need to use a special infusion: cold water and ice are enough.
What do you need?
- a towel
- 8 ice cubes
- water
What should you do to relieve the symptoms of sciatica?
- First, pour the water and ice into a bowl to cool the water.
- Then soak the towel in the water and apply it on the affected area for 20 minutes.
- Repeat every three hours.
Depending on your preferences, you can use any of the packs we mentioned in our article today. The supplies are simple and easy to find. So this means that relieving the pain will not be a problem.
Remember that home remedies can relieve the pain, but not sciatica itself. That is why it is important to consult an expert about your situation.
