3. Chiropractic Adjustment
It was found in a 2010 study published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapy that “sixty percent of patients with sciatica who had failed other medical management benefited from spinal manipulation to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention.” (6).
Manipulating the spine can relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce inflammation. Just make sure to consult a board certified chiropractor to avoid injury or malpractice.
4. Herbs and Oils
There are many herbs and essential oils that can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and offer general soothing. If you are taking any medication of any kind—including herbal or natural supplements or if you suffer from a serious medical condition, consult your healthcare provider or naturopath before taking something new.
Herbs can be taken as a tea, eaten with foods, or swallowed as a capsule. Following is a list of herbs known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve sciatica pain.
- Arnica
- Devil’s claw
- Jamaican dogwood
- Kratom
- Roman chamomile
- Clary Sage
- Lavender
- Linden flower
- Milky oat tops
- Licorice
- Skullcap
- St. John’s wort
- Turmeric
- White willow bark
5. Ice Packs
A cold pack applied to the area of pain can reduce inflammation, thus relieving pain. It’s most effective when pain is worst, usually two to seven days after the onset of sciatica (7).