Sciatica Tips

Sciatica Tips to Help your Pain

The first thing to keep in mind when looking for sciatica tips for helping your pain and other troubling problems is that sciatica is a symptom of another problem. In order to feel better, the underlying problem needs attention. Pain medication may help you to feel better for a while by reducing the inflammation, but it will not take away the pressure if a pinched sciatic nerve is the source of your pain. Here are some sciatica tips to help you cope with sciatic pain:

• Change positions: Many times, sciatica results from sitting for prolonged periods, especially when posture is poor and muscles are weak. If your job requires you to sit at a desk, or if you’re relaxing at home, a great sciatica tip is to get up and move around often; every 15 or 20 minutes is ideal. If you can’t get up, at least change your position or stand up and stretch. Prolonged standing can also cause flare-ups of nerve and muscle spasms. Try to alternate your position as often as you can between standing, sitting and lying down.
• Avoid extremes: Sitting for long periods can put pressure on the sciatic nerve as it passes from the spine down into the leg, but it can be made even worse by choosing the wrong seat. Avoid very soft sofas which provide no support for your back and are difficult to stand up from. Extremely hard surfaces can prove to be very uncomfortable as well. As you read in the first sciatica tip, Get up and move around often. Another sciatica tip is to try taking a walk either outside or on a treadmill at a comfortable pace to increase blood flow to your nerves and muscles.
• Work on your hips: Your hips normally have a large range of motion, but when you’re in pain, these muscles tighten up and restrict movement. This can create changes in your spine which leads to even more pain. By improving the strength and mobility in your hips, you can take pressure off the sciatic nerve. This sciatica tip involves asking your health professional to recommend some hip-strengthening exercises or talk to a physical therapist about activities that would be safe for you.
• Be flexible: Your spine must be flexible as well as strong, but it’s important to be safe when considering exercises that promote spinal flexibility. If done incorrectly, some exercises could put even more pressure on your nerves, causing more damage and increased painful sciatica. This sciatica tip is like the one you just read: Ask your physician to recommend a therapist or some exercises that are appropriate for increasing flexibility.
• When to get help: If you have had sciatic pain that has lasted for more than three or four days, one of the best sciatica tips is to call your doctor. It’s important to get medical attention before lasting damage occurs. Together, you can find the source of your pain and work toward a solution.