Sciatica refers to the severe pain associated with the inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve. It typically causes lower back pain that radiates to your hips, buttocks, and legs. The pain is usually bilateral. and may be associated with numbness and tingling sensations.
Pain from sciatica may be disabling, however, with appropriate treatment, it eventually resolves. Anti-inflammatory pain medications, rest, and ice therapy help manage sciatic nerve pain, however, Swedish massage may be especially effective. Here are some ways Swedish massage can help manage your symptoms of sciatica.
Nerve Repair
During a Swedish therapy session, the therapist focuses on a series of kneading motions, which helps promote circulation to the inflamed sciatic nerve. This helps speed nerve repair, inhibits inflammation, improves range of motion, and decreases pain.
Unlike deep tissue manipulation, the Swedish technique does not involve extreme soft tissue pressure. Because of this, patients who are experiencing severe pain may tolerate the procedure better. They may also be able to undergo longer sessions, which will enhance blood flow better than shorter sessions. Before your appointment, be sure to let the therapist know if you have any preexisting conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, or peripheral vascular disease.
Restorative Sleep
Sciatic nerve pain can cause sleep deprivation because the slightest movement can cause searing pain. Poor sleep quality can slow the healing of sciatic nerve disorders, and because of this, it is essential that you get as much restorative sleep as possible. The movements associated with the Swedish technique such as kneading, tapping, and sweeping strokes helps increase serotonin levels, which may help prolong the restorative or recuperative stages of sleep.
Massage therapy may reduce the need for sleep medication in those suffering from severe pain. It may also reduce your perception of pain. This means that even though your sciatic nerve pain is extreme, you may not perceive it as such because Swedish massaging may inhibit the release of certain neurotransmitters that are thought to be associated with pain.
If you are suffering from sciatic nerve pain or another type of pain, make an appointment with a therapist company, like FF Massage, who has experience in Swedish massage. Although you may enjoy some relief from your symptoms after just one session, it may take multiple sessions before your sciatica symptoms completely resolve. Massage can be used as a stand-alone treatment option or it can augment the treatment protocol recommended by your physician.
