Experiencing sciatic nerve pain? You’re not alone. This type of pain is common and can range from a dull ache to a sharp, burning sensation that radiates down the back of your leg. Thankfully, massage can be an effective way to alleviate sciatic nerve pain. Here is how to massage for sciatic nerve pain.
How To Massage For Sciatic Nerve Pain | Pro Guide
Step 1: Start with heat therapy. The heat helps loosen up your tight muscles, so start with a warm compress or heat pad on the affected area for 15-20 minutes before getting started with your massage. This will make it easier for you to work the muscles without causing too much discomfort.
Step 2: Apply topical ointment to your skin before the massage. This will help reduce friction and make moving around the area more comfortable. Make sure to use an ointment designed explicitly for massages, as other products may irritate your skin or cause further inflammation.
Step 3: Start by lightly massaging the area around your sciatic nerve, including your hips and lower back muscles. Use long strokes up and down along either side of your spine and focus on areas that feel particularly tense or painful when touched. Move slowly and carefully; you don’t want to aggravate the pain by pushing too hard or moving too quickly.
Step 4: When massaging near your sciatic nerve directly, be extra gentle with pressure points and care not to push too deeply into the muscle tissue (this could worsen sciatica symptoms!). Instead, lightly lean into each spot until you feel relief in that area—you should never experience any additional discomfort beyond what’s already there!
What Pressure Point Relieves Sciatic Pain?
If you suffer from sciatic pain, you know how uncomfortable and debilitating it can be. But did you know that there are pressure points in the body that can help relieve sciatic pain? Let’s look at some of the pressure points that can help alleviate this common source of discomfort.
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The Gallbladder Point (GB-34)
The gallbladder point is located just below your knee, outside your leg. This pressure point helps reduce sciatic nerve pain by increasing circulation and helping to relax muscles in the lower back, hips, and legs.
To find the GB-34 point, place four fingers below your kneecap and then move them slightly outward until you feel a tender spot. Press firmly into this spot for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat several times each day for relief from sciatica pain.
The Bladder Point (BL-40)
The bladder point is one of the most effective points for relieving sciatic pain, as it helps reduce muscle tension in your lower back and legs while also relieving inflammation.
The BL-40 point is located on the back of your thigh, between two tendons near your hip joint. To apply pressure to this point, press down firmly with a circular or up-and-down motion for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat several times daily for optimal results.
The Triple Warmer 17 Point (TW-17)
The triple warmer 17 points are located at the outer corner of each eye socket and relieve sciatica nerve pain by calming inflamed nerves in the lower back and legs while improving blood circulation.
To apply pressure to TW-17, place two fingers beneath each eye socket and press down gently but firmly for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat daily to reduce inflammation and discomfort associated with sciatica nerve pain.
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Which Oil Is Good For Sciatica Massage?
If you’re dealing with sciatica discomfort, a massage using the right oil can be a very effective relief tool. While there is no single best oil for sciatica use, many options are available, all of which may offer some relief.
Warm oils such as olive and coconut are excellent choices that penetrate deeply into the affected muscles. At the same time, cooling oils like eucalyptus and peppermint can also provide soothing relief to inflamed tissue.
Another popular choice is arnica oil, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling and pain. Ultimately, you should test out a few options and find the one that best relieves your symptoms.
Bottom Line:
Now you know how to massage for sciatic nerve pain. Massaging for sciatic nerve pain may seem intimidating at first, but if done correctly, it can relieve even severe cases of this condition. Just remember to take things slow and use light pressure whenever possible; this way, you can effectively target those tight spots without causing further injury or discomfort! Lastly, if at any point during your massage session, you experience increased levels of pain or discomfort, make sure to stop immediately—it’s always better to be safe than sorry!