Sciatica Relief: Understanding Causes & Natural Remedies

The term sciatica refers to shooting pain that runs down the back of the legs or tingling in the legs. It is caused from irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body that runs down the spinal cord and each leg. Sciatica is not a medical condition, but a symptom of other medical conditions such as a herniated disk. Rehabilitative exercise and certain foods like raw garlic can provide sciatic pain relief.

Helpful Foods

• Consumption of at least 10 oz. fresh potato and celery juices a day can provide sciatica relief, according to Buzzle.com. Consumption of raw garlic along with B-vitamin supplements can also relieve sciatic pain.

Exercise

• Exercise is better for healing sciatic pain than bed rest, according to spine-health.com. Low-impact back exercises stretches can help alleviate sciatic pain. Try lying on your back and pulling both knees toward your chest while also bringing your head to your knees until you reach a balled-up position. Alternatively, while laying on your back, place both feet on the floor, knees bent at an angle. Using both hands, bring one knee toward your chest until you feel a comfortable stretch. Place foot back on the floor and repeat with other leg.