Sciatica can be one of the most painful conditions people encounter, causing huge discomfort to anyone unfortunate enough to suffer with it.
In simple terms, it happens when something in your body such as a bone spur or herniated disk compresses your sciatic nerve.
The pain generally starts in your lower back, before shooting down through your legs and often into your feet.
People may suffer short, sharp bursts of intense pain, while others can get tingly feelings and numbness in their legs.
In its worst form sciatica can be quite debilitating, but there are many ways that the condition can be effectively treated. Read on as we look at some of the most popular.
Losing weight
Being overweight is one of the most common causes of sciatica, so following a structured weight loss plan is a great way to resolve the issue.
Sciatic pain is often caused by additional pressure being placed on the lower back and pelvis area, something that is common for people carrying excess weight.
With more than a third of people in the United States currently classed as being overweight, it is easy to see why sciatica is such a common issue.
Research has shown that every extra pound of body weight you carry adds an extra four pounds of pressure onto your joints and back.
For anyone falling into the obese category, this has the potential to cause huge strain on areas that are simply not built to withstand that type of load.
Even small amounts of weight loss can help to reduce sciatica, so take some advice from your doctor or a fitness expert and to come up with a program to achieve this.
Buy a suitable mattress
Sciatic pain can be triggered or worsened by incorrect alignment of the spine, a factor which can occur if your mattress isn’t the right type for you.
To avoid sciatica, or to alleviate the pain if you are a sufferer, invest in a mattress that helps with sciatica and places you in a pain-free and optimal sleeping position.
It is important to sleep on a bed that keeps the curve of your spine in a natural position and one of the best ways to achieve this is via a zoned mattress.
These have variable levels of firmness across the mattress which are designed to offer support in the areas where it is most needed.
Zoned mattresses are often made of pocketed coils which are spread across three to five zones of differing firmness levels.
The middle zone is generally firmer, helping to ensure that your spine remains correctly aligned throughout your sleep cycle.
Stretch before bed
Spending around 15 minutes doing some stretches before going to bed is a great way to prevent sciatic pain occurring during the night.
The best stretches are the ones which involved opening up your hips, thus helping to encourage bloody flow and relieve pressure.
One proven technique is known as the ‘Pigeon Pose’, a stretching move that targets the piriformis muscle which often contributes to sciatica.
To perform this stretch you start on your hands and knees in a crawling position, before taking your right leg and angling it so your knee is just behind the wrist on the same side.
Straighten your left leg out behind you and slowly lower flat to the ground with your forehead either touching or coming close to the floor.
Hold yourself in this position for up to a minute, before repeating theses steps on the other side for maximum benefit.
CBD for Sciatica
Getting to a point where sciatica is no longer an issue is obviously the ultimate goal for anyone suffering this type of pain.
However, pain relief may be the only option in the short-term, although its effectiveness may vary from person to person.
Many people are reluctant to take traditional pharmaceuticals for any great length of time, leaving them looking for other alternatives.
Studies have shown that CBD oil can have positive benefits for sciatica sufferers, helping to reduce inflammation and thus provide relief.
CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, receptors that interact with the central nervous system to regulate natural processes including pain.
There are numerous ways CBD oil can be taken including orally, creams and lotions, all of which can help easy sciatic pain.
Sciatica treatments summary
In the majority of cases, people with sciatica can resolve the issue without needing surgery. If you’re overweight it is important to address this as quickly as possible in order to reduce the pressure being placed on your joints and spine.
Investing in a zoned mattress is also a great idea, while performing stretches before bed will undoubtedly help you get a better night’s sleep. If you’re in need of pain relief, CBD oil is certainly worth considering as an effective alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals.
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