The severe pain or tingling that often runs along the lower back through to the legs (usually one leg) is known as Sciatica. The condition acquires its name from the same named nerve that branches downward from the lower back position that gets affected when spurred by the herniated or slipped disk, spinal injury etc. Apart from the unbearable pain, the symptoms also include inflammation, numbness or weakness in one leg, difficulty in standing etc. Although sciatica can be cured by traditional treatments usually within 6 weeks, but using some home remedies can accelerate the healing process.
Turmeric
Turmeric, through the anti-inflammatory property of one of its contents called curcumin can help to effectively reduce the neural inflammation and thus associated pain. Although it’s not ideal for those who suffer from diabetes or gallstone problems but consuming honey sweetened turmeric milk twice daily or having turmeric as food supplement, can yield good results.
Fenugreek Seeds
Thanks to the soothing and anti-inflammatory properties of fenugreek seeds, it can aid in reducing the sciatica associated inflammation and pain. Applying a fenugreek paste, made by boiling fenugreek seeds in milk and then cooled, topically on the affected area daily, gives effective results.
Compress
Both hot and cold compress can be used to treat the symptoms like inflammation and pain. While the hot and moist compress with hot water soaked towel eases the uptight muscles in the area, the cold compress with ice pack soothes the pain and also reduces the inflammation. Although it’s best for people with circulatory problem, to avoid cold compress, it’s better for normal individuals to use the hot and cold compresses alternatively for 15-20 minutes to get some soothing relieve from the pain and stiffness.
Lemon
Lemon is one of the most efficient home remedies for dealing with sciatica complications. It is rich with Vitamin C, an extremely effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that reduces the sciatic inflammation and associated pain. Consumption of lemon juice alone or for even better results, in combination with honey, gives satisfactory and quicker healing.
Grapes
Consumption of grapes is very effective in curing sciatic complications. Grapes, with their anti-inflammatory properties, help in reducing sciatica associated swelling and pain which in turn again, flex the constricted muscles and thus help in restoring the normal mobility.
Potato Juice
Raw potato juice is another very useful remedy that exhibits effective healing properties in curing sciatica. Consumption of raw potato extract alone or in combination with raw carrot juice twice daily, helps in relieving the sciatica associated pain and other discomforts like muscle stiffness.
Apart from the above mentioned remedies, following some additional measures like warm oil massaging, regular exercising, avoiding sudden jerking movements and heavy weight lifting, sleeping on gentle mattress that is neither too hard nor too soft, quitting smoking etc can give better results. However, if the discomforts last for more than 6 weeks, it’s better to consult a doctor or even opt for surgical intervention to solve the issue permanently.
