Cure for Sciatic Pain - Try Acupressure

ByMartin C. Rose

So you've been diagnosed with sciatica - that constant pain in your lower back and legs preventing you from doing all those things you love - as well as everyday normal activities, such as getting dressed in the morning. You'd think that in this modern day of medications and treatments, there'd be something you can do or take which will banish sciatica pain from your life forever. Why does there seem to be no cure for sciatic pain?

The answer to that is because there are so many different causes of it. You've tried everything for your particular sciatica; pain medications, bed-rest, gentle walking and back supports but nothing is working and you're still suffering constant, life-destroying pain.

There is a cure for sciatic pain. It's under the heading of "alternative medicine" which has been in use for thousands of years in Asian countries - and no, we're not talking about acupuncture needles here - although there are similarities in the treatment.

We're talking about Acupressure as a cure for sciatic pain. Acupressure has been used for a variety of ills for longer than we can count - and as a cure for sciatic pain, it's very effective. The treatment consists of applying pressure to certain parts of the human body which, according to ancient Chinese belief, are made up of fourteen meridian lines where Qi (energy) flows throughout the body. And on these lines are several "acupoints" which become blocked because of some disease or disorder in the body, thus restricting the energy flow to that part. Fingertip pressure is used on these acupoints to relieve and remove the toxins which are blocking them, freeing them to allow the natural flow of energy to reach the affected parts of the body. And that's how this cure for sciatic pain is accomplished.

If you go online, you'll find websites offering charts of these meridian lines and their acupoints. You don't need special training to use acupressure; a layperson can do it quite easily by following the instructions laid out. There are different techniques and different types of fingertip pressure to use and if you've been suffering from sciatica pain for a long time, you are absolutely ready to try this alternative treatment and you may find that this could be an effective cure for sciatic pain.

So there you have it. That growling, insidious, continual pain in your lower back and legs need torture you any longer. Put aside your skepticism for just half an hour and consider adding acupressure to your other treatments and cures for sciatic pain. It's more than probable that you can dispense with the bed-rest and hot and cold packs - and those expensive medications which do nothing except relieve the pain temporarily, before it returns in full force. The problem with painkillers is that they DO provide relief, which makes you think that your cure for sciatic pain is working, so you take advantage of it to do some chores, only to find that you've done further damage to your back - because for a while, you were not in pain.

Acupressure is a recognized treatment for all kinds of ills, especially pain. Try it - make sure your posture is correct, whether you're standing or sitting down - and let this ancient method of pain relief become part of your daily routine. Make it your cure for sciatic pain.

Martin Rose is an expert on sciatica. He has written a number of articles that can be found all over the internet. If you are suffering from sciatica and are looking for a cure for sciatic pain, visit http://www.sciaticarelieftips.com.

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How to Relieve a Sciatic Nerve in Your Sleep During Pregnancy

When my wife and I found out that we were having our first baby, Miles, we jumped for joy. Unfortunately, my wife was not jumping for long as her sciatica pain during pregnancy kept her grounded. At the end of a long day dealing with morning sickness and swollen feet, she would settle down to our bed, only to find a new pain radiating down her legs. Searching high and low for answers for how to relieve a sciatic nerve landed her back in bed and ready to finally enjoy some sweet dreams.

Sciatica is a condition in which people suffer from lower back pain and/or pain in one or both legs. Sciatica is not a medical diagnosis. Instead, it is a symptom of inflammation, pressure or irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs down the spine, splitting at the pelvis and running down the legs.

Proper pillow usage was one key that unlocked sciatica relief for my pregnant wife, Emily. When a woman is pregnant, after the first trimester, she is not supposed to sleep on her back, so side sleeping posed it's own unique challenges for Emily. First, she lay on her left side with pillows propped up between her knees. Keeping hips, knees, and feet parallel, takes the pressure off of the sciatic nerve. Lying on the left side allows for more blood flow, reducing irritation from inflammation. Proper head and neck support also helped take away the pain. We invested in a memory foam pillow that supported the head at a level even with her spine when in a side sleeping position. The pillow was curved in to support the neck also in a straight line with the spine. As soon as she started using these pillows (we used the Tempur-pedic brand) she noticed a marked improvement in her lower back and leg pain, which goes to show you that the spine is an interconnected system. If one part of you is out of line during sleep, you may be causing pressure on a whole host of nerves, including the sciatic.

Take a lesson from Goldie Locks and the Three Bears when it comes to your approach to how much sleep you are getting when thinking about how to relieve a sciatic nerve. Pregnancy can wear down a body. Not getting enough sleep can decrease the effectiveness of your muscles in supporting your back, leading to more pressure placed on the sciatic nerve. It is also really important not to get too much rest. Sitting or lying in one position for a long time, can cause irritation to the nerves. Periodically, switch positions if you can to help alleviate pain.

Finally, you can relieve a sciatic nerve during your sleep with some relaxing preparation. Prenatal massage from a partner or a licensed practitioner can help relax you into a deeper sleep and help stimulate blood flow, which relieves pain. Prenatal yoga can also aid better sleep with less pain. Be sure to seek an instructor who is knowledgeable about working with pregnant women and how to relieve the sciatic nerve. No matter what, don't give up trying. A rested mommy will be ready and able to take on the upcoming challenges.

Mike Sutherland is a sciatica pain relief expert. He has been helping his wife through sever sciatica pain since she was pregnant with their first child, Miles. For more information on how to relieve a sciatic nerve please visit PainInMySciatica.com.

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Sciatic Pains - Tips to End Your Discomfort

ByMartin C. Rose

Do you have sciatica? If you're experiencing back pain which radiates down one or both of your legs and you feel a tingling or a numbness, you should see your doctor for a correct diagnosis of the problem so that you can determine the appropriate treatment for your sciatic pains. Sciatica pain is a symptom of some underlying cause which needs to be identified before it can be corrected.

Sciatica pain is caused by the compression or pinching of the sciatic nerve. This nerve branches from the base of your spine, through the buttock and thigh muscles, continuing down the legs and into the feet. It's the longest nerve in your body and is about the thickness of your finger. The pain can be constant and dull or excruciating - the symptoms vary from patient to patient which is why it needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible. The cause could be a herniated disc which is pressing on the nerve or spinal stenosis which is a narrowing of the spaces between the vertebrae, also causing pressure on the sciatic nerve. A correct diagnosis is critical so that the cause of your sciatic pain can be corrected.

Usually, sciatica is found in people between the ages of thirty and sixty and may be caused by wear and tear on the bones of the lower spine. Generally, it can be relieved within six weeks or so, but meanwhile, there are some changes you can make to help relieve the pinched nerve without having to take anti-inflammatory drugs or other pain medication. Walking is recommended - a gentle walk around the block to start off with. Make certain that your posture is good and swing your arms as you go. If you do this every day, you can soon extend your walk to about three miles, during which you're stretching and strengthening your back, leg and abdominal muscles, all of which support your frame. They become supple and more flexible as you continue and your sciatic pains will start to diminish.

Your doctor or personal trainer can recommend stretching exercises for you, but these need to be appropriate for your particular type of sciatic pain, otherwise more damage can result. Do them regularly and you will find relief from your sciatic pains in a fairly short time.

If you're suffering acute pain, you do, of course, need to rest. But try not to rest in bed as this will cause your muscles to weaken which will hinder your recovery. Sitting in a comfortable armchair which has good support is better for you and you could try alternating hot and cold packs on the affected part. Get up every hour or so and walk around a little to help keep the muscles flexible. Try not to sleep on your stomach; place a pillow under your hips so that your spine is supported.

Again, the opinion of a medical professional is essential so that you can take the right kind of exercise which is an important step to relieving your sciatic pains. Constant dull pain which prevents you from doing the things you love can rip all the fun out of life - and it's not necessary as help is out there for you.

Martin Rose is an expert on sciatica. He has written a number of articles that can be found all over the internet. If you are suffering from sciatica and want to learn how to end your sciatic pains, visit http://www.sciaticarelieftips.com.

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