6 Natural Remedies To Relieve Sciatic Pain: From Acupuncture To Valerian Tea

February 28, 2018

Sciatica is a kind of pain that extends from the lower back down one of the legs and usually results from a herniated disc. Sciatic pain usually goes away about 6 weeks after it starts, and it doesn't always require medical treatment.

There are things other than painkillers that you can try to ease the sciatic pain. Here are 6 of them:

1. Hot compresses

You can place a heating pad on your lower back to improve sciatic pain. While it will not eliminate the cause of your sciatica, but it can at least alleviate the pain.

2. Massage

There a specific type of massage recommended for those suffering from sciatic pain. Trigger point massage therapy targets tender points in the piriformis muscle, the one that sits above the sciatic nerve.

3. Capsaicin cream

Capsaicin is an active substance that can act as a pain reliever and is found naturally in cayenne peppers. Apply capsaicin cream to the affected area a few times a day. Give this remedy at least one week to see if it works for you.

4. Stretching

Exercising is probably the last thing on your mind when you're in pain, but stretching is a type of exercise that can actually relieve sciatica. Just don't overdo it, as excessive strain can make the pain even worse.

5. Acupuncture

It's not exactly clear why this traditional Chinese practice works to relieve pain in the case of sciatica, but many patients claim their pain improves after a few acupuncture sessions.

6. Valerian tea

Valerian is a natural sedative, and it's also known to work as a pain reliever. You can try drinking valerian tea or taking valerian supplement but consult your doctor first because this remedy interacts with certain drugs.

If your sciatic pain doesn't start to subside after a few weeks, you should see your doctor. He or she will determine what's causing the pain and which treatment will work best for you.

Source: Prevention, Top 10 Home Remedies, Dr. Axe

This article is purely for informational purposes. Do not self-medicate, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for harm that may result from using the information stated in the article.