Sciatica Pain can feel as if it will never go away.
However, Sciatica pain can be managed. The first step is understanding what sciatica is.
Sciatica is an inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerves. When these nerves are irritated, it can cause pain in your back, as well as other areas such as your hips or thighs. Sciatic pain will often go away on its own, but it can also bother you for a long time. If you keep experiencing sciatica and it hasn’t resolved itself, you might need to consider some treatments or lifestyle changes that help to improve it. There are things you can do to prevent sciatica so it doesn’t bother you as often. Try these tips to treat your sciatica.
Exercise More
Being more active is one of the ways you can prevent or relieve sciatica. As well as preventing irritation to the nerves caused by being sedentary, it can also help you to manage your weight, which is key to preventing sciatica. There are different types of exercise that you might try to help your sciatica. Aerobic exercise can increase your heart rate but should help you to prevent more pain. Strength training will help you to build strength and stamina, and flexibility training will improve your flexibility and strength. Exercising regularly will help, no matter what type of exercise you choose.
Improve Your Posture
Your posture can have an effect on whether you suffer from sciatica. Slouching can lead to sciatica or make it worse, so standing and sitting up straight can help you. If you pay attention to how you’re sitting or standing, you can adjust your posture accordingly. Try to pull your shoulders down and back to ensure you’re not slouching. If you spend a lot of time at a desk, make sure your workspace is set up to enable you to sit in a comfortable and healthy position. You shouldn’t need to lean forward or bend your neck to work.
Avoid Sitting for Too Long
Sitting down for too long can put pressure on your lower back, which can lead to sciatica. Try not to spend too long sitting down in the same period. If you do have to sit for a long time, such as when working in an office, make sure you get up regularly and stretch or walk around. Alternatively, consider working with a standing desk or an adjustable desk so that you can choose to sit and stand when you want to.
See a Medical Professional
If you have tried to relieve sciatica yourself but it’s not getting better, you might need to see a medical professional. You can ask your primary physician about the causes and treatments of sciatica. Another option is to seek a licensed chiropractor that accept health insurance. There are various treatments that might help you, including physical therapy, medications such as muscle relaxers, and steroid injections. Sometimes surgery may be an option, but other treatments are usually considered first.
If you are suffering from sciatica, there are several ways you can address the problem. The most important thing is to not ignore it.