By: Richard Bleuze
Preventive measures and home remedies for back pain and sciatica
At one time or the other, you will suffer from some sort of back pain. Lumbago is a common occurrence that is caused by exertion, bad posture or lifting heavy objects improperly. Sciatica is a more serious condition of pain in the low back that may extend via the pelvic region down to the heels.
Sciatica pain can be debilitating and can often lead to partial or complete immobility. It is a pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the human body that has its roots in lower spine and extends to the legs, passing through the buttocks. I had a sciatica back problem back in 1993. As of today, I can still feel the effects of the problem since my right leg and foot are still numb!
Compression of any of its five roots due to alterations in spinal disc is the most common cause behind sciatica. It is a long nerve and is susceptible to getting pinched or compressed at various points along its route.
Just remember this, most back surgeries are not always successful. Depending on the condition, you may still have back pain after surgery. In fact, I recommend that you not opt for surgery.
There is no single treatment for sciatica.
* Make juice of celery and potatoes (add beets or carrots for taste). Both potato and celery are considered to alleviate pain. Also drink two cups of celery tea every day.
* Apply a hot poultice made of turmeric powder, butter oil and garlic to the affected area for an hour. This will stimulate the nerve.
* Garlic is a multipurpose herb. Eat raw garlic pods for eliminating gas, which according to Ayurveda, is one of the major causes behind pain. Heat 150ml of any vegetable oil with ten fresh garlic pods. Use for massaging the affected areas as and when required.
* Fomentation of the affected area will relieve pain and inflammation to a great extent.
* Throw out an overused mattress. Sleep on a comfortable, neither too hard nor too soft mattress.
* A hot bath followed by a cold shower will improve circulation and reduce pain. Alternately, apply a cold pack on the affected area after a hot bath.
* Avoid fatty foods and take plenty of salads that include raw vegetables like radish, carrot, lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, potato and tomato.
Another alternative is to exercise the lower back. A few useful exercises recommended by specialists are:
* The Side Stretch.
* The Back Arch.
* The Hamstring Stretch.
* Have proper rest. Get up from your seat, preferably every hour and stretch your muscles.
* Waist cinching elastic back supports push the abdomen and make a natural cushion and protect nerves around the spine.
* If you have a desk job and work on the computer for long hours, make sure that your chair supports the natural curve of your spine and the keyboard is placed in a way that your elbows bend at right angles while typing.
Small things like sitting and standing in a good upright posture and staying clear from lifting heavy objects matter a lot. So do regular exercise and a healthy diet. Make sure that you do the above as a part of your daily care and you may be able to keep sciatica at bay.
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