Sciatica pain usually subsides on its own within two months, there may be ways to alleviate the pain sooner.
While it may seem like exercise will only make the problem worse, in fact the Mayo Clinic recommends low-impact exercise, like water aerobics or stationary bike riding, as a way of releasing the endorphins which act as natural painkillers. Another way of releasing those endorphins is massage.
PROVEN EFFECTIVE
Massage can be highly effective in treating the pain of sciatica. WebMD describes a study of 400 people with low back pain who received either weekly massages, or permission to try whatever they liked. (Alternatives to massage therapy included medication, seeing a chiropractor, doctor or physical therapist, or taking no action at all.)
Ten weeks later, the massage recipients reported better functioning and less pain. In fact, more than a third of them said their pain was completely or nearly gone, while only 4% of those in the other group reported such improvement. Massage, concluded Dr. Daniel Cherkin of the Center for Health Studies in Seattle, "does help a significant chunk of people who have not benefited from other treatments."
ADVANTAGES OF MASSAGE
The professional therapy you'll receive at Massage Envy is customized to your particular situation, and any type of massage will help boost the "good" hormones in your body. Those include endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, all of which are known for calming nerves, promoting healing, providing natural pain management, and helping you feel better.
