Sciatic pain can be debilitating, sending its victim down to their knees in paralyzing pain. This nerve travels from the right side of your buttocks and shoots down behind your right leg in a way that can keep you from enjoying your daily activities. These symptoms may be constant and/or symptomatic; either way, the pain of one of these attacks cannot be denied. The good news is, there is a way to make this pain go away, and no, it’s not in the form of a pill.
Sciatic nerve pain can be characterized by constant pain in only one side of the leg or buttocks, weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot; pain that is worse when sitting, or a searing, burning, or tingling pain. The pain can be caused by a myriad of things, most commonly from back pain, a herniated disc, and tight muscles.
Massage therapy will provide relief to by promoting circulation, and stretching of the muscle in that area (a tight hamstring will further constrict that nerve causing it to become inflamed). Other muscles that are focused on by this highly specialized massage are the muscles located in your lower back, gluteus region and upper leg; muscles located in the thighs and on the posterior side of the hip joint, and the psoas-a long, thin muscle along the lower spine.
Although massage can help heal you of the pain, you must take preventative measures as well. Follow a thorough stretching routine to loosen the muscles in that area and to relieve nerve compression. Stay hydrated (dehydrated muscles will tighten up); be conscious of your sitting position. Take out your wallet from your back pocket when you sit down; get up every hour and walk around for 5-10 minutes including stretches if you work at a desk. Use self-massage techniques like sitting on a tennis ball. Icing and heating to relieve the pain, much like that of a sports injury can be effective as well.
When you come in for a consultation with one of our therapists on how best to relieve your pain after your sciatic massage therapy session, ask any additional questions you may have for relieving your pain. No one should have to live their lives in constant pain that cannot be relieved by sitting or lying down. Sciatic pain is a wrenching pain that needs to be dealt with at its source. Contact us today to make your appointment and to release yourself from the daily agony!
