Sciatica is the common name for that painful sensation that starts from the sciatic nerve roots and can radiate to its extremities and spinal nerves. It is manifested immediately with a sensation of pain in the lower back, which exudes to the buttocks and along the leg.
The intensity of the pain varies according to the trigger. In some cases, it can be acute, and in others, it can appear as thick or as burning. Evil usually becomes more acute after efforts, producing very annoying electric shocks. Anxiety and stress are among the factors that contribute to the increase in the painful state and coughing and sneezing.
Is Massage Good For Sciatica?
Sciatica is essentially a term for any pain that affects the lower back, hip, and leg. The pain usually only affects one leg or the other. It can’t even be felt in the back, only in one of your legs. It is called “sciatica” because the pain seems to radiate along the path of your sciatic nerve, which begins in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spinal cord. Massage therapy works in many ways to give relief from your sciatica pain. For example, when you are being massaged, the relaxation response occurs, so your nervous system unintentionally returns to normal.
The nerve is actually a bundle of five separate nerves at first then exits this region. It is also known as the lumbosacral zone, passes behind the hip joint, and runs through the back of your thigh, where it is divided into two separate nerves again: the peroneal nerve. It passes from the outside of the lower leg to the top of the foot and the tibia nerve, which travels through the calf muscle to heel and sole.
Therefore, sciatic pain can travel quite a distance, affecting the lower back, a large part, or portions of your leg. The causes of Sciatica generally include herniated spinal disc, spinal stenosis, inflammation of the piriformis muscle, pregnancy, or other problems such as a tumor or trauma of some kind.
Benefits Of Massage For Sciatica
For Sciatica pain, massage is one of the best allies for reducing the pain. Regular massaging on the pained area, you will get relief for a long time. There are several benefits of massage for Sciatica, and I have mentioned the important benefits below:
- Reduce muscle pressure: When it comes to Sciatica, massage can help in two ways. The main advantage of the massage is the relaxing and tense muscles. When the muscles are tense, they can put more pressure on the nerves, including the sciatic nerve. Massaging these tense muscles can help reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
- Release endorphins: Soft tissue massage can also help increase the pain threshold by stimulating the release of endorphins. Endorphins increase pleasure and relieve pain, causing a greater feeling of well-being. They are also released during sex, exercise, and eating.
- Trigger gluteal muscles: There are also trigger points in the gluteal muscles that can cause pain in the sacrum, lower back, and legs. The gluteus points can affect the entire sacrum and greater trochanter, while trigger points in the gluteus can refer to pain in the sacrum and lower back. There are also trigger points that can remit leg pain.
- Ensure relaxation: It provides relaxation in the lumbar that can be challenging. It is not easily accessible and can be extremely painful when the trigger points in this area are active.
- Eliminate toxins: Applying proper massage therapy on Sciatica helps improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, eliminating toxins from your tissues.
How Do You Massage Sciatica?
To start, you should sit in a chair, on the bed, or on the floor, where you are most comfortable. Put a cushion on the lower back, put oil on your hands, and massage the back of the knee to the hip for 2 or 3 minutes and then do the reverse massage simultaneously.
The massage help improves sciatic nerve pain focuses on stretching, strengthening, and aerobic conditioning. These practices improve the back, abs, buttocks, and hip muscles, all together relieve pain by keeping the spine aligned.
The recommended exercise with the massage is to lie on a rigid surface, bring your knees together and bring them to your chest, and maintain the position for 15 to 20 seconds, repeating it 3 or 4 times. You can do this same exercise, but bring one knee to the chest first and then the other.
Also, using creams and essential oils to treat Sciatica is essential, and it can help a lot to make recovery faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here I will answer some frequently asked questions about massage for Sciatica.
Is Heat or Ice Better for Sciatica?
What foods to avoid if you have Sciatica?
Can I sleep on my side with Sciatica?
Watch Out the Massage Treatment for Sciatica
Final Thought
Sciatica is the term used to indicate pain along the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. It typically affects only one side of the body and can range in severity from mild to severe. Also, it can interfere with your daily activities and make it difficult to stand, walk, and even sit. If you want to try an alternative to traditional pain relievers, massage can help. Before undergoing these massages, make sure you are a professional in the field.