Sciatic nerve pain is a common health complaint that may be caused by numerous factors. Sciatic nerve pain, also known as sciatica, may be caused by sciatic nerve injury or compression. Your sciatic nerve begins in your lower back, runs through your gluteal region and down the backs of your legs. Nutritional support may be helpful in reducing your sciatic nerve pain. Avoid self-treating your sciatic nerve pain with nutritional supplements until you have cleared their use with your doctor.
About Sciatic Nerve Pain
Sciatic nerve pain is most common among people between 30 and 50 years old, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Sciatic nerve pain is often caused by general wear and tear associated with aging, impingement of your lumbar nerve roots by your intervertebral spinal discs or bony growths or a tight piriformis muscle in your gluteal region. If you suffer from sciatica, you may experience back and leg pain that is worse with sitting, pins and needles sensations in your leg and leg weakness.
Nutritional Support
Nutritional support in the treatment of sciatic nerve pain often involves the use of nutritional supplements. However, certain nutritional supplements used for this health purpose may not be backed by sufficient scientific research evidence to validate their purported benefits. Ed Smith, an expert herbalist and author of "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that St. John's wort may be one of the most potent nutritional supplements in treating this condition. Other helpful nutritional supplements may include valerian, kava kava, white willow, essential fatty acids and angelica.
A Popular Nutritional Supplement
Kava kava may be one of the most popular nutritional supplements in treating sciatic nerve pain. Kava kava possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative and antispasmodic action and has historically been used in treating pain, nervous tension and spasms. This nutritional supplement has also been used in treating anxiety, sleeplessness and tremors. Extracts from the roots are incorporated into nutritional supplements.
Considerations
Sciatic nerve pain, though a common health complaint, may be an indication of a serious underlying condition in your lumbar spine, or the vertebrae in your lower back. A qualified health care professional can order various tests -- including advanced imaging -- to diagnose the cause of your sciatic nerve pain. Avoid using nutritional supplements to treat your sciatic nerve pain until you have discussed all relevant supplement-related topics with your doctor, including dosage and duration of treatment.
References
- MedlinePlus: Sciatica
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Sciatica
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
