It is practically unavoidable: If you put in long hours working at a desk, drive for a living, or lift heavy materials regularly, then sooner or later you will most likely experience some type of leg or back discomfort caused by sciatica.
Sciatica nerve pain is a not uncommon health condition that can cause chronic pain conditions in the soft tissues of the back and legs and can be especially disabling and agonizing. It usually is caused by stress on the sciatic nerve, which is located in the lower area of the spinal column. When the sciatic nerve becomes compressed or inflamed, it will inflict severe pain in your back or along the backs of your legs, and can significantly lower your quality of life.
The moment you experience sciatica, your regular activities may never be the same. The discomfort may be so excruciating that it’ll take up every minute of your day. The majority of people who have suffered from sciatica will tell you that there is no quick cure for sciatica, just methods to manage the discomfort in the hope that it recedes on its own.
However, did you know that massage therapy can really help ease sciatica discomfort?
The bright side is that there are a wide range of massage techniques that can help relieve the aches and pains connected with sciatica and restore your range of motion.
In this short article, we will have a look at some of the benefits of massage for sciatica clients. We’ll also explain what sciatica is, what causes it, and lastly offer some ideas on how massage can provide help with your pain. So if you suffer from sciatica, continue reading to find out how massage treatment is among the most beneficial ways to promote your recovery and avoid future flare-ups.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a typical health condition brought on by the compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower spinal column, along the underside of each leg, and all the way to the toes. There are multiple root causes of sciatica, including a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the nerve channel in the spine), or trauma to the hips or back.
When the sciatic nerve becomes compacted or irritated, it can cause intense pain in the spinal area and down the undersides of the legs. The pain might be sharp and shooting, tingling, or burning. It can also trigger numbness and weakness in the legs, and often worsens when you walk or when you are seated for extended spans of time.
How Does Massage Treatment Help Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain?
When you’ve got sciatica, the muscles in your lower back, hips, and legs will be very tight and tense. Because of this, your sciatic nerve will also be extremely tense and near the surface of your skin, making it quite easy to get swollen and irritated.
Massage treatment for sciatica minimizes mental stress and anxiety and promotes relaxation while increasing blood circulation and flow to the muscles. This helps to reduce muscle stress and spasms, which may cause or worsen sciatica pain.
Massage also helps to improve the motion of liquids through your body, stimulates the release of endorphins, and reduces the amounts of stress-related hormones. All of these things assist in alleviating tension and discomfort, which are among the leading reasons for sciatica.
Types of Massage for Sciatica Relief
There are a number of distinct massage therapy types that can help relieve sciatica. The most beneficial massage treatment for sciatica can vary depending on your particular symptoms. Types of massage therapy for sciatica include:
- Deep Tissue Massage: Deep tissue massage is terrific for sciatica since it focuses on the thick connective tissues of the human body, which are the exact same structures that are strained and stressed out in individuals with sciatica.
- Myofascial Release: Myofascial release (MFR) is another excellent alternative for sciatica because it targets the connecting tissues of the body, including muscles and the fibrous tissues, often called fascia, surrounding joints.
- Trigger Point Treatment: Trigger point therapy is a hands-on treatment which can be successful for sciatica because it concentrates on releasing tight and stiff muscle tissues that cause pain.
- Swedish massage: Swedish massage is another terrific option for sciatica since it’s a remarkably calm, tranquil massage that helps relax tense muscle tissues and ease pain. This kind of massage is especially recommended for patients with sciatica that is accompanied by stress.
- Sports massage: This is a fantastic option of massage for sciatica if the pain is caused by overuse or injury. Sports massage concentrates on unwinding stiff and tight muscles, which is excellent for those with sciatica because the sciatic nerve is extremely near the surface layer of the skin in the legs and lower back.
Which Kind Of Massage Treatment is Best for Sciatica?
There are many different kinds of massage treatment that can help to eliminate the pain connected with sciatica. Having said that, it is very important to pick the best one for your distinct problem. Every massage type is designed to convey different benefits and effects.
While each of these massage treatments have their own particular rewards, what is important to bear in mind is that massage treatment works best when applied together with other sciatica treatment methods. In other words, you may get amazing results if you work on addressing all of the factors of your sciatica, not just the discomfort.
If you’re coping with substantial sciatica pain, it’s best to speak to your doctor before receiving any massage treatment. Physicians can help you figure out which kind of massage is most fitted for your symptoms and may help you recognize the potential rewards and dangers of getting massage therapy.
Advantages of Massage Therapy for Sciatica
There are lots of benefits related to receiving routine massage treatments for sciatica. These consist of:
- Lowers muscle spasms and discomfort: Massage therapy is demonstrated to help eliminate muscle discomfort and spasms. This is particularly beneficial for sciatica, which is normally caused by muscle tissue pain and convulsions in the back and the sciatic nerve.
- Minimizes stress and anxiousness: Massage treatment is also verified to help in reducing anxiety and stress by intensifying the discharge of endorphins, which are the body’s original pain relievers.
- Boosts blood circulation: While you are getting a massage treatment, your blood vessels widen to allow more blood to stream through your body. This may help to relieve toxins and pain in areas where you might be experiencing pain or tension, like in your lower back and legs.
- Improves overall flexibility: Massage therapy is shown to improve flexibility in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, which may decrease the risk of injury. This is particularly important for patients with sciatica who might be at an increased risk of injury, like those who play sports often or people who raise heavy objects all the time.
- Minimizes inflammation: Massage treatment may help to lessen inflammation, which can be valuable for people with sciatica since the inflamed sciatic nerve may trigger swelling near the surface of the skin.
- Promotes unwinding: Massage is understood to support relaxation, which may be helpful for those with sciatica because it can help to reduce tension and anxiety.
- Helps to improve sleep: Individuals with long term discomfort are more likely to have sleeping problems, including sleep deficiency and insomnia. Massage therapy has been proven to help improve sleep quality, which can likewise help decrease pain and ease symptoms.
Conclusion
If you are currently experiencing sciatica, then you understand all too well just how debilitating and unpleasant this condition can be. That being said, it’s important to note that massage treatment is not a remedy for sciatica; it’s merely a way to alleviate the discomfort associated with this problem.
Regular massage can be an effective way to deal with your pain until your sciatica disappears. And fortunately, there are many kinds of massage therapy that can help minimize sciatic nerve pain. So, you can choose the type that best fulfills your needs.
If you wish to help ease your sciatica pain, then consider setting up a massage therapy consultation.
Call MVMT Physio & Chiro soon and we can begin alleviating your sciatica discomfort. Now scheduling new clients!
