How Do I Get My Sciatic Nerve to Stop Hurting – Relieving Sciatica Pain Immediately

The most worrisome query of a patient with sciatica is, how do I get my sciatic nerve to stop hurting?

Surely, bed rest is not a solution!

In a study of 183 patients, researchers compared the effectiveness of bed rest for sciatica with watchful waiting.

The results were almost similar in both groups. But in the end, considering further research, the experts concluded that bed rest is not as effective as it may seem.

Then how do you get the sciatic nerve to stop hurting? Well, the answer is not quite simple but the solution is instant.

To relieve sciatica pain immediately, you have to work hard, make efforts, and know what’s good and what’s bad for you.

But before you learn how to get rid of sciatica pain, you must know why sciatica hurts so much.

Simply because the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve of the body. Therefore, its irritation leads to symptoms in multiple parts of the body.

Not to ado further, let’s talk about natural remedies for sciatica and other factors that help in getting rid of sciatica pain immediately.

How Do I Get My Sciatic Nerve to Stop Hurting

For sciatica patients, anything in the form of treatment is a blessing! Be it a temporary solution or permanent, it always feels good to get your sciatic nerve to stop hurting.

But how do you do that? How do you get your sciatic nerve to stop hurting? What should you do to relieve sciatica pain immediately like it never existed?

Hold on! We have got your back!

Home therapies or natural remedies are the best way to get rid of sciatica pain. These will give you a momentary relief but as we said, even a few hours of no-back pain is a blessing for sciatica patients.

Note: Sciatica pain usually goes away within three weeks or a maximum of six weeks in acute cases. But if it’s severe and chronic then, unfortunately, the temporary relief methods will not work for you.

However, you can stop sciatica from hurting by simple methods, some home therapies, and of course, rest.

Relieve Sciatica Pain Immediately

Note: Acute treatments like exercises and passive treatment options like massage and chiropractic are all very helpful to relieve sciatica pain immediately.

However, during sciatica, your spine has lost its natural strength and flexibility. Hence, your doctor would most probably suggest physical therapy as the best option to get rid of sciatica pain temporarily and immediately.

Now to regain the natural strength, shape, and form of your spine, we will help you discover the natural ways to get rid of sciatica pain.

You may first take your doctor’s suggestions though and then proceed further.

Natural Remedies for Sciatica

Is heat good for sciatica pain? What is the best natural remedy for sciatica pain? How to relieve sciatica pain immediately and naturally?

Let’s now discuss the natural remedies for sciatica and learn how to get rid of sciatic nerve pain at home.

Note: Keep in mind that sciatica refers to pain and inflammation, tingling and numbness in the lower back and limb. Therefore, our natural remedies will focus on curing these symptoms only.

Sciatica Massage

Massage for pain? There is nothing new in that.

Massaging the painful areas is one of the best options to get rid of the pain naturally. Similarly, sciatica massage using oils and creams helps relieve sciatica pain instantly.

Note: Many therapists use ginger essential oil with coconut oil for sciatica massage due to its instant soothing effects. Besides, ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, hence, relieving sciatica.

Heat or Ice Therapy for Sciatic Pain

Now you may ask, which one is better; heat, or ice for sciatic pain?

Well, the answer is, both!

Heat and ice are equally good for sciatic pain.

How to ease sciatica pain with cold compresses?

Use ice packs or cold compresses to numb the affected area and reduce inflammation.

How does heat help sciatica pain?

Well, heat relaxes the muscles that are compressing upon the nerve. In turn, releasing the pressure off the sciatic nerve roots.

The best thing to do is to alternate between heat and cold for sciatic nerve pain. And that’s exactly what most experts do!

Begin with applying a heating pad for 15 to 20 minutes and end with a cold treatment. However, people with poor circulation should avoid ice therapy as that can worsen the symptoms.

Exercise

Sciatica exercise? Sounds strange?

Well, learn now that exercising has more benefits than being bed-ridden throughout the time of sciatica or lower back pain.

You can perform the following exercises that are light, aerobic, and does not demand a lot of efforts:

• Walking
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Light aerobic exercises including water aerobics

Then if your therapist allows, you can advance to:

• Weight lifting
• Core strengthening exercises
• Treadmill
• Bending

These exercises keep your muscles active and help prevent muscle spasms. Besides, exercising daily also provides proper nutrition to the body, maintains spinal flexibility and strength. 

All of this will relieve sciatica pain immediately within a few days.

Yoga & Stretching

Yoga, as we know, has proven to have several benefits in improving flexibility and relaxing muscles, especially for back and leg muscles.

So you may try some yoga poses such as cat-cow pose, cobra pose, pigeon pose to get rid of sciatica leg pain, and back pain.

Needful to mention here is a piriformis stretch. As the name suggests, your therapist will most probably recommend this stretch if you have piriformis syndrome.

Note: These stretches not only relieve back pain but focuses on relieving knee and ankle pain as well.

Meditation

Believe it or not, but meditation helps reduce pain by 57% and its effectiveness is scientifically proven.

This means you need to be mentally strong to strengthen your physical health. Take a few hours of your time, create a healthy and relaxing environment, and give your brain a break from all the stress.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an art to relieve sciatica without any surgical requirements. But mind you, only an expert knows to perform it with the right techniques.

This Chinese practice does not ‘treat’ sciatica but it provides a temporary relief within a minute. However, make sure to appoint a specialist who knows how to do it!

Chiropractic Treatment

Did you know, around 60% of people with sciatica who tried chiropractic treatment noticed a dramatic reduction in sciatica nerve pain?

This shows that chiropractic care works wonders!

Moreover, a chiropractor will combine this treatment with other physical therapies like; stretches and exercises for the best outcomes.

Herbals

Herbals have long been known to cure sciatica symptoms immediately. However, make sure the product you are investing in has the optimal ratio of natural extracts and not just harmful chemicals.

These herbal medications are anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and have a natural tendency to relieve sciatica pain.

Following are some well-known herbals used today to relieve sciatica pain immediately:

• Turmeric contains curcumin which has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
• Ginger tea is best suited to relieve muscle soreness.
• Fenugreek seeds are anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving herbal seeds.
• White willow bark has analgesic properties.
• Valerian or chamomile root tea for muscle spasms.
• Capsaicin cream is a natural pain-killer derived from cayenne pepper.

Note: You may also check out these Homeopathic medicines to relieve sciatica symptoms.

Medications

Some well-known drugs also relieve sciatica pain within hours. However, since these medications have side effects, only take them if prescribed by your doctor.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Analgesics
• Steroid injections
• OTC pain-relieving medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen.

How to Get Rid of Sciatic Nerve Pain – Things to avoid

If you are someone who has tried everything yet still didn’t notice any improvements then maybe you are doing something wrong.

As much as it is important to know the remedies to relieve sciatica pain immediately, you must as well know the things to avoid in sciatica.

This will only help you heal faster. Besides, who knows you pick on an activity from the list due to which you couldn’t get your sciatic nerve to stop hurting?

Following are the things you should avoid to get rid of sciatic nerve pain:

• Avoid sitting for long hours
• Avoid driving. Or if it’s necessary then opt for a smooth route.
• Do not walk for several hours straight
• Do not lie down or stay in bed for the whole day
• Take rests in between exercises and avoid continuous strenuous exercises.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach
• Avoid running, jogging, or riding a horse
• Do not bend, twist, or lift heavy objects

Now this list may answer why you couldn’t relieve sciatic pain even after all the efforts. Does the list contain anything you relate to? Well, note it down and try to avoid it from now on!

So that was about the things you should avoid to get rid of sciatica leg pain.

Sciatic Pain Relief at Night

Most sciatica patients have trouble sleeping at night and they often ask ‘how do I get my sciatic nerve to stop hurting in bed?’

Well, to learn how to relieve sciatica pain in bed, you need to know different ways to sleep at night with sciatica.

Note: The most difficult part of suffering through sciatica is an uncomfortable sleep at night that disturbs your whole day routine as well.

However, there is a way to manage sciatic nerve pain relief at night. All you need to do is to follow these tips that will help relieve sciatica pain immediately.

• Use soft pillows and a firm mattress.
• Avoid changing sleeping positions at night.
• Try yoga, exercises, or bedtime stretches to mobilize your spine before going for long hours of resting.
• Choose the best sleeping position for sciatica.
• Wear a back brace to bed for support
• Keep your spine, hips, and things neutral

Learning how to ease sciatic nerve pain in bed is important. Plus, you will notice a big difference every time you wake up in the morning. And gradually, the pain will be gone like it never existed!

FAQs

Conclusion

Sciatica pain is a constant suffering and the only way to relieve sciatica pain immediately is to know how to ease sciatica pain; make a plan, and follow it.

If you think your pain isn’t severe and you keep on ignoring it, it will only make things worse. Never ignore the chronic back pain!

Sciatica pain comes in bouts; sometimes mild, and other times, chronic. But how to get rid of sciatic nerve pain? Either way, use natural remedies, especially for acute pain to prevent it from worsening.

Now for anyone who is asking, ‘how do I get my sciatic nerve to stop hurting?’, we hope that you have a clear answer.