What’s scarier than running into Frankenstein's monster in a dark alley?
We thought of at least three things:
- Chronic pain
- Lack of sleep
- Difficulty walking
If you suffer from sciatica, chances are you have experienced all three. The pain can become so bad, you start walking like a mummy. Living with sciatica is no treat, but here are some tricks on overcoming sciatica pain.
Stretching
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Knees to chest - lay flat on the floor with knees bent. Hug your knees and bring them close to your chest. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat as needed. You can also modify this stretch by hugging one knee at a time.
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Seated spinal twist - Sit up tall with legs straight out in front of you. Bend one of your legs and place it over the other leg, outside of the knee. Twist your upper body towards the bent knee. For a deeper stretch, place the opposite elbow on the outside of the bent knee and gently push. Hold as long as comfortable, between 15 and 30 seconds. Return to start position and repeat for the opposite side.
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Seated hip stretch - while sitting in a chair with your feet on the floor, bring one leg up and cross the ankle over the opposite knee. Gently bend forward, taking deep breaths. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, then repeat for other leg.
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Cobra - lying on your stomach with tops of feet flat on the floor and elbows bent and palms resting on the floor next to chest, push with your palms and extend your elbows until they are straight and your chest and upper thighs are off the floor. To modify, raise up, straightening elbows until you reach your comfort level. Keep thighs on the floor.
Exercise
Exercise is good for you, but trust your body’s instincts. Remember to modify when possible and don't do
exercises that will trigger your sciatic pain. Because sciatic pain can be caused by a number of issues, talk to your doctor or chiropractor about what exercises will be best for you in your particular situation. Always warm up, stretch, and rest to accompany your exercise routines.
Rest
Pain is the body’s way of saying something isn’t working right. Although you may not be able to completely rest until your sciatic pain goes away, make sure you take long breaks where you can to get some relief. Don’t overdo yourself unnecessarily and don't be afraid to ask for help. You know that neighbor you made soup for when they were ill? They would be happy to come help you rearrange your living room or paint your bathroom. That’s what good neighbors and friends are for, right?
Anti-Inflammatory
Whether you reach for an over-the-counter relief or use more natural forms of health care, using an anti-inflammatory will help cut down on some of the pain associated with sciatica. You can also use heat and ice to help with flare ups.
Compression Leg Support
For extra support of your legs, choose
CopperJoint compression garments for targeted relief. Depending on where you need it most, the
knee sleeve,
calf sleeve, or
compression socks may be the right fit for you. Click
here to see our selection.
Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care
A good physical therapist and chiropractor can also help relieve your sciatica pain symptoms as well as target specific areas most affected with pain. Depending on your insurance, it can get expensive, but worth it in order to feel good and not cause further damage. However, don't make them do all the work. Remember to ask what you can do in-between appointments to manage your sciatica pain and stay strong, then don’t forget to take the recommendations. The more you do from home, the more time and money you can save.
So, don’t walk around like a mummy. Treat yourself to good habits to take care of your sciatic pain. For compression clothing, click on the
links above and order some today. We are here to support your physical needs.
