How Can Massage Therapy Help With Sciatic Pain
Because sciatica can be caused by a series of structural problems, it is important to get to the underlying cause and release the pressure that is on the sciatic nerve. Thankfully, massage therapy is one of the best choices for relieving sciatic pain for this exact reason.
Massage therapy is much different than a spa massage, as a massage therapist must go through years of schooling to treat their clients properly. This education includes extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, along with pathology and studying human movement.
One study discovered that massage therapy has significant results in improving the symptoms of back pain in various patients. They found that massage therapy had equal or even better results when compared to using medications for the pain.
The Benefits Of A Massage Chair
Sciatica pain is a pain that runs along your sciatic nerve and mostly affects your mid to lower back, your buttocks, and your legs. Usually, those who suffer from sciatica only feel the pain on one side of their body.
There are a few ways to help manage your pain. Regular resting, especially on a hard surface, like the floor, is helpful.
There are also physical therapy moves that can help you stretch safely to relieve some of your pain.
Massages can help ease your pain by relaxing tight muscles and improving your blood circulation. Massages are also proven to reduce stress, improve your energy, and can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
While massages can improve your life in many ways, its not always practical to buy a professional massage. Especially when your pain is recurring and you may need a massage multiple times a day during flare-ups.
When your muscles are tense, they can aggravate your sciatic nerve by pressing down on it. A massage chair can relax tense muscles, which can minimize the pressure placed on your nerve, all without leaving your home.
Additionally, a massage chair can offer you a customized massage, so you can focus on more personal areas, like your glutes. Massaging glutes is one of the best pain reliefs you can experience when your sciatica symptoms are flaring up.
What Are Common Sciatica Trigger Points
If you are experiencing pain from sciatica, you will feel it mostly in your lower back, through your buttocks, down your leg, and into your foot. Sciatica can be triggered by different actions or causes including:
- Wearing high heels or wearing shoes that are not well-cushioned
- Having your wallet, keys, phone, or other items in your back pocket as you sit for a while
- Tight-fitting or ill-fitting clothing
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How Can Massage And Sports Therapy Help Sciatica
Sciatic pain can cause extreme pain, also causing loss of function in some cases. With this in mind, it is so important to find the right interventions to reduce and relieve pain.
At our clinic in Truro we see many cases of sciatica. We have the rewarding job of relieving sciatica pain. Diagnostic assessment and testing are used to identify the causes of your pain. Based on where the pain is coming from, a treatment plan in most cases can begin to manage you pain.
Conservative treatments are interventions involving a combination of exercises and treatments, such as:
- Massage therapy
- Mobilisation techniques
- Specialised exercises for sciatica
The sports therapists here at Keheren Therapy Truro will be able to tell you the likely cause of your sciatic pain. They will also be able to advise you on daily activities that can help or promote recovery. In the acute stages of sciatica, we often find that exercise based interventions work very well to help reduce pain. Hands-on techniques and exercises become more effective once the symptoms have started to calm down. In more severe cases, further imaging and/or surgery may be considered depending on patient outcome. However, in most cases, conservative treatment will usually work considerably well.
The Best Places To Find A Good Massage Therapist
There are many benefits to massage therapy, including reducing stress, improving circulation and relieving pain. For those suffering from sciatica pain, massage therapy can be an effective treatment option. Here are some tips for finding a good massage therapist to help relieve your sciatic pain.
When looking for a massage therapist, its important to find one who is experienced in treating sciatic pain. Ask friends or family members for recommendations, or look for therapists who specialize in treating sciatica. Once youve found a few potential therapists, schedule a consultation to meet them in person and discuss your goals for treatment.
During your consultation, pay attention to how the therapist communicates with you and makes you feel comfortable. Trust is an important part of the therapeutic relationship, so its important that you feel safe and comfortable with your therapist.
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Can Massage Help Relieve Sciatica Pain
Sciatica pain can be intrusive and disruptive for those who are dealing with it. Irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, found in the lower back, is what causes this pain. Firstly, this pain is felt as it radiates downward from the back. From here, it can pass through the buttocks and finally, down the front or back of the thighs and lower leg. Generally, this pain affects only one leg, but it can affect both sometimes numbness will follow.
Posture is often a factor in sciatic pain, as it can flare up whilst you are sitting, standing or bending the spine. This can make work uncomfortable but there are ways to relieve the pain. A massage for sciatica pain is one way to reduce the symptoms of this uncomfortable condition.
Types Of Massage For Sciatica Pain
There are several different types of massage that can help relieve sciatica pain. Lets consider the following in more depth:
Deep tissue massage. In order to relieve tension from your muscles and connective tissues, a deep tissue massage uses slow, firm strokes and deep finger pressure.
A 2014 clinical study found that treating low back pain, including sciatica, with five days a week, 30-minute deep tissue massage sessions over two weeks was effective.
Swedish massage. Swedish massages use therapeutic touch to relax muscles and tissues, just like deep tissue massages do. Swedish massage, on the other hand, uses a softer approach that concentrates more on specific areas and less on applying pressure to the body. A Swedish massages main goal is to relieve tension, which is perfect for people with sciatica since it helps to relax the muscles and reduce pain.
trigger point treatment Another massage technique that can help people with sciatica is trigger point therapy. Trigger point therapy involves applying pressure to the painful area and then releasing it. To relieve pain and address the underlying musculoskeletal issue, the therapist seeks to identify the precise location of the painful area and works to release it. In order to relieve the pressure and tension in the area, this technique targets the area with the pinched nerve, making it useful for people with sciatica.
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Best Type Of Massage For Sciatica
According to research, the best type of massage for sciatica is the lymphatic drainage massage. Your doctor or physiotherapist will be able to recommend this type of massage. The therapist applies gentle pressure to the tissue surrounding your spleen, chest, and back during a lymphatic drainage massage. Regular chiropractic appointments and a healthy lifestyle can also help you deal with back pain.
How Do You Massage Someone With Sciatica
Sciatica is the extreme pain that is felt after your sciatic nerve is pinched. You may end up experiencing tingling, soreness ad sharp pain, whereas others end up having trouble walking due to the intense pain. It is said that a good percentage of people might suffer from sciatica at a given time though this has not been proved. When sciatica strikes, what comes to mind is finding a medical treatment, which should not necessarily be the only option. Massage therapy has been verified to provide relief from sciatica pain, especially when it keeps re-occurring.
So, how do you massage someone with sciatica? This is done by a professional massager for sciatica who knows very well the exact places to massage. What is certain is massage is beneficial for those suffering from sciatica, which is a better remedy instead of seeking expensive medications. The most helpful therapy that has been proved to work overtime is massage therapy you may want to try it today to relieve your sciatica pain.
How to massage someone with sciatica?
Sciatica pain is usually felt in your lower back. This is a sensitive area that takes bear different activities on a given day. It is therefore bound to a lot of pain once the sciatic nerve is triggered. Massage can help ease the pain, but how do you massage someone with sciatica? It is better undertaken by a professional massage therapist who has the right understanding of the points to apply pressure.
How does massage relieve sciatic nerve pain?
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Look For Someone Who Is Well
A massage therapist trained in more than one massage modality will be able to combine techniques to optimize the results of your massage. Try to find a massage therapist skilled in deep tissue massage and myofascial release therapy in addition to Swedish massage. Youâll ideally find a practitioner who has specific experience with treating sciatica.
Summary
A referral from a friend, family member, or your doctor is a great place to start your search for a massage therapist, but make sure you do your due diligence before making a final selection.
A Guide To Massage For Sciatica
If you experience lower back pain, youre not alone a study from the World Health Organization estimated that between 60-70% of people in industrialized countries will experience some form of lower back pain in their lives. If your pain radiates from the lower back down along one leg and also causes numbness, tingling or weakness then you might be one of the 40% of people worldwide suffering from sciatica.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments to help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by sciatica, one of which is massage. Massage has been shown to provide many benefits for general health, and several of those benefits can help treat sciatica. If you or someone you know are currently experiencing symptoms of sciatica, this is your guide for helpful tips and resources.
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The Effects Of Massage On Nerves And Soft Tissues
Depending on the type of massage, a therapist may work on your muscles, joints, nerves, and/or layers of connective tissue deep below your skin. A few examples of massage techniques include deep tissue massage, trigger-point therapy, and neuromuscular therapy.2
A massage can cause the following changes to occur in your body, easing the sciatica pain:
- Loosen and relax muscles. When your trunk, core, and lower back muscles are tight, they can apply pressure on the sciatic nerve root in your lower back. Tight muscles may also get knotted up into small painful nodules, causing trigger point pain. Massage therapy can effectively stretch, loosen, and elongate these muscles, improving pain and function in your lower back and legs.2
- Facilitate the circulation of healing nutrients. Hands-on soft tissue manipulation from massage stimulates the blood vessels in your skin and deeper tissues. There is enhanced circulation of blood, oxygen, and other nutrients to the sore areas, promoting healing.2
- Release endorphins. Massage stimulates specific pressure receptors in your brain, which are special nerve fibers. Stimulation of these pressure receptors helps reduce pain by releasing endorphins, the bodys natural feel-good hormone.2,3
- Reduce stress. Stimulation of the pressure receptors also helps reduce the levels of cortisol in your bodythe hormone that causes stress. Reduced stress helps provide a feeling of relaxation and relief, with a lesser perception of pain.2,3
How To Choose A Massage Therapist
If you suffer from sciatica, you may be considering massage therapy as a possible treatment option. Massage can provide relief from the pain and discomfort associated with sciatica, but its important to choose a qualified and experienced therapist. Here are some tips to help you choose the right massage therapist for sciatic pain relief:
1. Make sure the therapist is experienced in treating sciatica. Ask about their training and experience in treating this condition.
2. Ask about the therapists approach to treatment. Do they focus on deep tissue work or gentle strokes? What kind of pressure do they use?
3. Find out if the therapist offers a free consultation. This will give you a chance to meet them and see if you feel comfortable with their style and approach.
Several different types of therapists offer massage therapy. Each type has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Its important to choose a therapist based on your needs and preferences.
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What Are The Benefits Of Massage For Sciatica
Massage therapy is an effective way to relieve pain. A 2014 study even found that deep tissue massage may be as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relieving low back pain, which can be a symptom of sciatica.
When it comes to sciatica, massage can help in two ways. Massages main benefit is soothing tense muscles. When your muscles are tense, they can put more pressure on your nerves, including your sciatic nerve. Massaging these tense muscles may help to reduce pressure on your sciatic nerve.
Soft tissue massage may also help to increase your pain threshold by stimulating the release of endorphins. Endorphins boost pleasure and relieve pain, causing an increased feeling of well-being. They are also released during sex, exercise, and eating.
Can Massage Help In Sciatica Pain Relief
For those who are suffering from sciatica, it can be haunting and distracting. The pain is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower back.
The discomfort begins at the back and gradually works its way down to the rear. It may then continue into the buttocks before descending either the front or the rear of the thighs and lower leg. Usually, just one leg is affected, but both can experience pain, and numbness may follow.
Sciatica pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture. While youre sitting, standing, or bending your spine, it might flare-up. This may make working unpleasant but there are things you can do about it. Massage is one approach to alleviate the symptoms of this distressing condition.
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Finding The Right Massage Therapist
Therapeutic massages are typically given by qualified, trained professionals, such as massage therapists, physical therapists, sports medicine professionals, occupational therapists, and other qualified health practitioners. You can enjoy a relaxation massage at a spa or a massage center. Massages can also be self-administered.
Here are a few pointers to help you identify the right type of massage technique and therapist for your sciatica pain:
- Identify your goals. Figure out what you want to accomplish before you start your search for a massage therapist. For example, if you want to relieve lower back tension, look for someone who is trained in specific muscle-relaxation techniques, such as neuromuscular therapy. If your goal is simply to raise your endorphin levels, you can head to your local spa for a basic Swedish massage.
- Consult with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to recommend an appropriately qualified health professional who administers therapeutic massage in your area. If you have specific health conditions, such as high blood pressure or nerve problems in your leg, a doctor can advise if massage is a safe option to consider for your sciatica pain.
- Check with professional organizations. The American Massage Therapy Association provides a searchable list of licensed massage therapists in your area. The list is not exhaustive, but unlike internet search engines, it screens out individuals who are not legally allowed to practice.
Self Massage For Sciatica On The Piriformis
The piriformis is a small, yet very important, muscle to address for sciatica pain relief. This is because the sciatic nerve actually passes underneath this muscle deep within the glute area before it travels down the leg. If the piriformis muscle becomes too tight, it may compress the nerve and cause sciatica-like pain this is one of the reasons these spots on the piriformis muscle are sometimes referred to as sciatica trigger points.
While the piriformis lies underneath the larger gluteus maximus, it is still relatively close to the surface of the body. This helps make the muscle easier to access by using something like a foam roller, lacrosse ball, or a massage therapy ball.
These Xs indicate the location of the trigger points , and the red areas indicate where the trigger points refer pain
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Massage Techniques For Sciatic Nerve
Sciatica is a debilitating type of nerve pain that can run from the lower back into the big toe. It can be caused by compressed nerves, bulging and herniated discs, and tight muscles in the lower back and buttocks. Massage combined with chiropractic therapy can help with painful sciatic nerve symptoms.
Trigger Point Therapy
Pain from sciatica can be treated and lessened with trigger point therapy, which is also known as neuromuscular massage. It is a massage technique that involves places pressure on the sore spot in the muscle. Tight or sore spots in muscles can cause pain in other areas of the body. For instance, an excessively tight gluteal muscle could compress the sciatic nerve as it travels through the butt and down the hip. This would result in lower back and leg pain.
Massage and Chiropractic Care
Neuromuscular massage can be combined with traditional massage and chiropractic care from our chiropractor to form a holistic treatment plan that will dramatically reduce your sciatica pain. Traditional massage therapy techniques reduce widespread muscle and soft tissue pain, help increase blood flow and oxygen to the muscles and promote the release of lactic acid, which causes muscle soreness after strenuous activities.
Would you try chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy for your nerve pain?