Sciatic pain is caused by an pinched nerve that affects the back of your thigh, calf or foot. It can feel like a bad leg cramp, and is most noticeable when you sneeze, cough or sit. The pain can be shooting, sharp or surging in nature, according to thephysiotherapysite.co.uk. Even though sciatic pain usually heals itself over time, homeopathic remedies often can used to accelerate the healing process.
Rest
Resting your body for a few days will help. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends getting bed rest to help reduce inflammation. Resting helps the body heal and avoid reinjury, according to thephysiotherapysite.co.uk. Resting in an upright or sitting position will serve you well, unless your pain is so severe that it causes more pain. Depending upon the severity of your sciatic pain, you might need up to two weeks of bed rest.
Cold Treatments and Icing
Start using cold treatments to help your sciatic pain, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Cold treatments and icing will decrease your inflammation and pain level. Apply ice immediately after you notice your sciatic pain. Put some crushed or use icing for 20 to 30 minutes throughout the day. The amount of icing you need depends upon the severity of your pain, according to thephysiotherapysite.co.uk.
Stretch
After your initial resting period, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends you start doing stretching exercises. Begin these exercises as soon as you are able, with walking being favored. Doing range-of-motion stretching exercises is recommended by the University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. A simple standing exercise you can do is called arching, which requires you to stand upright and place your palms against your buttocks. Slowly move your hips forward as you lean back. Lean back as far as you can.
Do Core Strengthening
Exercises that strengthen your core muscles can help reduce sciatic pain. These muscles support your spine and help increase your upper-body control, according to the University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. A simple exercise to do involves lying on your stomach in a relaxed position, according to thephysiotherapysite.co.uk. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. This movement will be the same as though you are trying to keep yourself from urinating. Now, imagine something hot under your stomach. Try to send your stomach to your backbone. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Relax your muscles for five seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Make certain you do not tighten your chest or lift your hips from the surface anytime during this exercise. Remember to keep breathing as you normally would throughout this core-strengthening exercise. Once you are comfortable doing this exercise while lying down, start doing it while sitting or standing, lifting items or performing stressful activities. Do these exercises many times throughout the day for best results.
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