Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Got Sciatica? Try Massage Therapy!

By Bodhi Mcleod

Sciatica is a common problem characterized by lower back pain and/or pain in the hips and gluteals that can even shoot down the back of the leg. It can cause the leg to become numb or make it difficult to walk when extreme.

Sciatica can be very painful and even disabling some cases. However, studies have shown that massage is a safe, effective and economical treatment for sciatica, according to the Touch Research Institutes (TRI).

Sciatica is usually caused by an impingement (also named compression or entrapment) on the sciatic nerve, which is the main nerve of your body that runs from the back of your head, down your spine and legs, and into your feet.

Often the sciatic nerve becomes entrapped within a joint in the area of the sacrum or lower back. Tension in the muscular system can pull the skeletal system out of alignment, which causes nerves to become trapped within joints and between muscles.

I've worked with many clients who have sciatica. The approach I use is to restore the body to better alignment and release the nerve impingement.

Deep Tissue massage techniques like myofascial release, trigger point therapy and neuromuscular therapy are the most effective for nerve entrapments. Swedish massage is also therapeutic but doesn't work deeply enough to free trapped nerves.

To get the desired results, you'll need to have massage sessions regularly for a while, just like with other types of therapy. However, massage is one of the most sensible options for those suffering from sciatica. - 14130

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