Sciatica, how to cure it with heat therapy

Today on the Dispotech blog we are discussing sciatica, a very common health problem that makes it very difficult not only to be mobile on a daily basis, but to live serenely throughout the day.

Those who suffer from sciatica feel intense pain in the lateral and rear part of the back. The sciatic nerve, the largest and most complex nerve in our body, becomes inflamed.

Health problems of this kind should not be taken lightly: together with the medical therapies you can undergo, the benefits of heat can come to the rescue to help lessen pain.

But how can heat help those suffering from sciatica feel better? Let’s discover this together supported by an article read on healthcentral.com.

Orthopaedics agree: the beneficial action of heat can do great things to lessen the discomfort due to sciatica and backache. So not only long hot baths - which can be a “luxury” for a few people - but also applying hot packs that can easily be made at home.

In more serious cases of sciatica, meaning, those in which, in addition to nerve pain, there are other disorders such as the presence of a hernia or the inability to retain urine or faeces, the advice of a surgeon is necessary. Solving the problem in the operating theatre may be the only solution in borderline cases such as those just described. For others (the majority, in fact), the benefits of heat are more than indicated.

How heat acts on sciatica

How does heat act on the aching sciatic nerve? It relaxes the muscles, eliminates lactic acid, makes more blood circulate and, as a result, relaxes the area affected by tension. What’s more, the heat that is diffused over the entire body creates a feeling of relaxation and general well-being.

When we hurt ourselves and feel pain in a nerve, vertebra or tissue, all the adjacent muscles contract and close off. It is one of our body’s protective mechanisms: it is called muscle spasm and is, paradoxically, something good, because it prevents the injury from worsening and expanding.

Muscle spasms, however, hurt and it becomes truly difficult to endure intense and continuous pain for an entire day. Applying a warm pack or soaking in a tub of hot water are effective remedies for feeling better immediately.

Hot baths in particular can be boosted by minerals such as Epsom salts, which have a relaxing power on the skin. Spending 15-20 minutes in a bathtub with hot water (not boiling, so you don’t risk even more painful burns!) can help cure sciatica. As for the weekly frequency, it depends on how much pain you are feeling; however, three times a week is a good compromise.

Sciatica: stretching is crucial

If you suffer from sciatica, don’t rely solely on the benefits of heat and moments of well-being such as a hot bath. A good habit to adopt is stretching: include muscle stretching in your daily routine - or after your heat treatments. Extend your arms until you touch the tips of your toes, stretching your spine well. Another tip that is perfect for your sciatica is to practise yoga: not only will you feel better physically, but you will learn to breathe better and relax more.

Do you suffer from sciatica? Consider the tips listed in this article!

For further information on the benefits of heat and warm packs, contact Dispotech.