Sciatica Self-Care Methods in Vacaville

When a person has sciatica in Vacaville, there will be low back pain that radiates down into the left or right buttock into the leg and can sometimes go all the way into the foot. There are instances when the pain can become excruciating, and even though it is hard to believe, sciatica can go away on its own within 3 months with conservative treatment. These "conservative treatment" refers to non-invasive therapies that can be done at home.

These sciatica therapies are good options for people who just started experiencing sciatic nerve pain or whose pain is less severe, but it is best to get your doctor's approval first before trying them out. However, sciatica that has been going on for a few weeks or have debilitating low back and leg pain should be seen by a doctor right away.

Tip#1: It is OK to exercise in Vacaville

It would feel unnatural to exercise when you are in pain, but research suggests that resting too much can further aggravate your back and leg symptoms. Instead, you should try doing gentle exercises daily to ease your sciatica. It is important to only follow "gentle" exercises and avoid doing anything painful or strenuous. Walking around the block is a great example of a physical activity that strengthens your spine without doing any additional damage. Apart from making your spine stronger, exercise can trigger the release of endorphins that can help reduce your perception of pain.

Tip#2: Stretch it out

Apart from exercises, stretching should also be part of your daily routine. Stretching is a great way of improving your spinal flexibility and range of motion while also building core and spinal strength. Plus, most stretches can be easily done at home while doing some of your daily routines like watching the news or your favorite movies.

Tip#3: Grab an ice pack and heating pad

Alternating between heat and ice therapy can provide immediate relief of sciatic nerve pain. Ice is helpful in reducing inflammation, while heat can promote blood flow to the painful area. Heat and ice can also ease painful muscle spasms that can come with sciatica. You can apply the ice pack to the painful area for 15 minutes once every hour, and then follow it up with a heat pack for 15 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Remember to use something like a towel in between the ice or heat pack and your skin to protect it and don't sleep while using either therapy.

Tip#4: Refresh your posture

Whether you are relaxing at home or working at your desk, especially when staying in the same position for too long, you will notice that your sciatica pain spikes. Always change your position every 20 minutes and maintain a proper posture to take pressure off your spine and reduce your sciatica symptoms.

Tip#5: Head to the medicine cabinet

Using anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can help ease sciatica symptoms when they strike. NSAIDs can be a good option since it can relieve both inflammation and pain, unlike acetaminophen that only reduces the pain. However, using NSAIDs can come with health risks so make sure to discuss it with your doctor first to understand its safety.

Easing the extreme pain of sciatica does not always require an extreme treatment approach. If you need more help with this condition, you can dial (707) 474-5688 to get in touch with Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine. This clinic specializes in sciatica and other painful conditions so make sure to setup an appointment with them right away.