Treatment of Sciatica -- Lying, Sitting, and Standing

 The sciatic nerve is located deep in the musclesThere is a saying in China: "A door-hinge is never
of the buttocks, originating from the sacral plexusworm-eaten." It means that appropriate motion
and running distally along the thigh with itscan prevent strain. Therefore, a sciatica patient
branches to the shank and foot. It is an importantshould not keep motionless for fear of pain.
nerve of the lower extremities, for both motorKeeping motionless will aggravate the symptoms.
and sensory purposes.In chronic cases of sciatic neuritis, the pain is
Sciatica is a painful inflammation of the sciaticassociated with adhesion around the nerve. "Lying,
nerve, usually neuritis, but it may also result fromsitting and standing" is a great treatment for this
pressure by tumor or inflammation of thecondition, providing an opportunity to exercise the
neighboring bones, tendons or muscles, particularlysciatic nerve by tightening and relaxing it and
by protruding intervertebral disc. In an acute casehelping relieve adhesion and alleviate pain after
of protrusion of intervertebral disc, there is arepeated practice.
cutting pain that radiates from the iliacsacral regionInstructions
to the foot, causing an inability to walk. When it1. Lying: Lie supine in the bed with the legs bent.
becomes chronic, the patient will feel a dullWithout letting the feet leave the surface of the
stretching pain and have difficulty walking.bed, straighten the legs one after the other. While
To determine the cause is the most importantthey are stretched straight, lift the legs above the
thing in the treatment of sciatica. If the pain isbed alternately. Lift the healthy leg to an angle of
caused by pressure from outside the nerve, the90 degrees and the affected leg to an angle of
pressure should be relieved. If sciatica is the result45 degrees at first. By practicing, the affected leg
of an inflammation, bed rest, analgesics,can be gradually lifted higher to form a
acupuncture and massage therapy are indicated.perpendicular angle as well (see Fig. 1).
In chronic cases, the following system of physical2.
therapy is advised.