With a struggling economy and outrageous prescription drug prices many people have been turning to more natural ways to treat pain. They may also be turned off to prescription drugs due to the possible side effects and they believe in the natural ability of the body to heal itself. More people have been turning to vitamin and mineral supplements to help cure their sciatic pain.
Vitamin D is important in many bodily processes particularly involving the musculoskeletal system. The body produces it when you are exposed to sunlight, however for those of you who live in the northern states it is recommended you take a Vitamin D supplement especially during the winter months. People with sciatic pain may want to talk to a doctor about taking the supplement year round.
Sciatic pain is caused by some type of irritation to the sciatic nerve. A very important vitamin for nerve health is vitamin B12. A person deficient in Vitamin B12 may suffer from craps and loss of muscle control but this is typically only seen in major deficiencies. Taking a daily B-complex that features all the B-vitamins may be a good course of action for anyone who doesn’t want to take sciatic pain medication.
A mineral that has been receiving more attention is magnesium. Recent research has shown that the mineral is essential in hundreds of chemical reactions occurring in the body. The need for magnesium is very evident in the musculoskeletal system. This is why it has recently been used for cramps, restless leg syndrome and fibromyalgia. Magnesium can be found in leafy greens, legumes such as cashews and peanuts as well as dairy products, meats and chocolate.
It is no secret that exercise is one of two of the most vital components to keeping ourselves healthy and avoiding pain. This also applies to sciatic pain. Yoga is a great option to help improve flexibility and increase overall strength. Many people with sciatica may struggle with Yoga at first. But just make sure to only do position that do not cause pain. You may ask your instructor for modified positions until you can do more advanced poses without pain.
Massage is a terrific option for anyone suffering from a sciatica flare up. A masseuse can help to alleviate high tension areas in low back and hamstrings that can help to lower the symptoms. Pregnant women also may benefit from massage as way to alleviate low back pain brought on by the rapid weight gain.
The second most important compentent to a healthy lifestyle is a healthy diet. You may have heard of recent diets that push eating anti-inflammatory type foods such as more colored vegetables and high antioxidant fruit like berries. The alternative to this is simply to eat less inflammatory food. Foods that are high in fat and processed carbohydrates cause inflammation in the body. Increase you intake to lean proteins and whole foods such as leafy greens and other vegetables.
Acute sciatic attacks are unsettling at best. But it is best no to rest for stay in one position for too long when these attacks occur. Activity will help to limit the amount of time the flare up lasts. You can do almost any activity that you find doesn’t aggravate your symptoms. Take it easy in the first 24 hours because some activities that you do may not increase pain until several hours later. There is a continuing argument over heat and ice. It seems to really come to personal preference and what works for you. Try both. You may even find alternating them for periods of time works best for you.
Remember it is not always necessary to use prescription medication to alleviate pain. However, it is important to always see your doctor first when the sciatic pain begins. You may also see a physical therapist or chiropractor for sciatica, as both tend to have a large amount of experiencing in handling this type of pain. There are natural choices out there to help and hopefully this article gave you some ideas of where to look.
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