Effective Natural Remedies for Sciatica

Candied Ginger Slices

Posted by Ethel (Prescott Valley, Az) on 04/21/2010
★★★★★

I had extreme sciatica pain. Best I could do for myself was walk because sitting was sooo painful and lying down didn't help much either. I came across this site by accident, thank God. I read about using ginger so I bought some candied ginger and ate about a tblspn size and went to lie down. I was up in 15 minutes and I just wanted to cry! The pain was all but gone for the first time in months!!! Please, if you have sciatica pain, eat ginger! It will help get you through!!!

Candied Ginger Slices

Posted by Patti (Jamestown, Ohio, United States) on 02/18/2010
★★★★★

I found this site just looking at natural ways to treat different things. My husband is 71 & hurt his back sweeping our porch. Going & going to the doctor but not much help. The pain in his leg was awful. He could not find a comfortable position no matter what he did. For two nights he walked the floor just trying to get some relief. I saw the crystalized ginger for scatica and thought it was worth a try. When I tell others how much it helped him I get a funny look but it surely did. On Saturday, about noon he ate two pieces. Two more about 3 and two more around 6 that evening. He slept Saturday night for the first time in 3 weeks AND he has had NO pain in the leg since. His back is still some sore and tender but the pain that went from his hip almost to his foot is 100% total gone. So I would say to anyone with sciatica to at least give it a try. He is eating 3-4 pieces a day now. May try not eating and see if it stays gone. Just wanted to share this so if someone is wondering if this really works is did for my husband. Got it at Krogers in the dried fruit area. Came in a bag like dried cranberries are in. They also had it in the spices but alot more expensive.
Love this site and all the information here.

Vitamin C

Posted by Kathleen (Chicago, Illinois) on 02/08/2010
★★★★★

Hi,

This is only the second time that I have posted, and I wanted to thank you for your kind words regarding my first post.

I promised that I would update everyone IF I was able to finally conquer sciatica. Well, I DID IT! I said that I was going to try Magnesium as suggested on your site. Didn't seem to help me.

What finally did the trick was "flooding" with Vitamin C per Dr. Frederick Klenner's web site, Doctor Yourself. Please check out the testimonal under Back Pain (at the bottom of that page). Unlike the testimonial, I was not completely out of pain on the fourth day; it took me six days.

I took two grams (2,000 milligrams) every hour I was awake. What I finally figured out was that the man that wrote the testimonial was taking a teaspoon every hour (that's four grams).

Just in case you are concerned at the high level of Vitamin C, it is a water soluble vitamin which the body will throw off if it can't use it. There is no known Vitamin C toxicity to humans.

The reason it worked is very simple. I had a Vitamin C deficiency severe enough to cause sciatica. Wish I had known that before!

What I also didn't realize was that the intermittent backaches that I have had in the last five years or so were also a Vitamin C deficiency and a precursor to the more severe sciatica! I have not had even a hint of a backache since I began treating the sciatica.

I am now on a maintenance dosage of Vitamin C of about 10 grams per day (still working out exact amount) which I will remain on for the rest of my life. You know when the body cannot use the level of Vitamin C that you are taking. You get diarreha and just cut back a bit until you have the right level for you.

This is what is so critical that I learned from the web site and my horrifying experience. Humans, monkeys, guinea pigs, and fruit bats don't produce their own Vitamin C, but without it, we will die. The web site is based on the Linus Pauling branch of medicine named Orthomolecular Medicine. It was Linus Pauling's theory that we probably began our journey in the tropics and had a more than adequate supply of fruits and therefore Vitamin C. At some point, a differential in our DNA eliminated our ability to produce Vitamin C and worked to our advantage (our bodies didn't have to do double duty and produce Vitamin C as long as we had an adequate supply) until we moved out of the tropics. That's when we got into trouble, big, big trouble.

I could go on and on, but I would just like to close with this. Other than knowing that Linus Pauling was the primary advocate for Vitamin C and was marginalized, I didn't know anything about him. He is the only human being that won not one but two Nobel Prizes in two separate areas, the first was Chemistry, and the second was Peace. Also, his work was the basis used to work out DNA! He is probably the most gifted scientist this country has ever produced. So, what was wrong with him? Was he dishonest? Was he not sane? What is going on.

He made the unfortunate choice to advocate for Peace during the McCarthy era and was labeled a socialist. The government went so far as to revoke his passport for a few weeks, but changed their minds so that he could pick up his Peace prize.

The second reason is that the medical establishment including pharmaceuticals have no financial gain in health. There is money in illness; there isn't money in health (sorry, I've forgotten where I read that).

Check Pauling's biography on Wikipedia. Check out Klenner on the front page of Doctor Yourself under the Orthomolecular Medicine link and then History on that site. Klenner worked out that Vitamin C only works in large doses throughout his long, illustrious career.

My primary reason for advocating natural alternatives for myself is safety. It was a blood pressure generic Lisinopril that triggered my sciatica and my descent into an unfathonable Dante's inferno. I will use SAFE alternatives in the future as often as possible.

Good health to everyone this year!

Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Cristi (Tucson, Arizona, United States) on 01/24/2010
★★★★★

I cured sciatica in my right leg using black strap molassas. I read in the book The Ultimate Healing System by Donald Lepore, N.D. that sciatica in the right leg is caused by a potassium deficiency. Since I always seek out food sources over supplements I started the black strap molassas and have never had pain again.

FYI, the book says sciatica in the left leg is a sodium defiency.

Things that deplete potassium and sodium are drinking alchohol, processed foods, sweating/ecercising, and being sick, to name a few.

Candied Ginger Slices

Posted by Kathleen (Chicago, Illinois) on 12/30/2009
★★★★☆

The first thing I tried from your site was ginger for sciatica. It has helped get rid of the pain immensely, but not quite gotten rid of it.

I am also taking apple cider vinegar for my high blood pressure. I feel immensely better, but it's too soon for me to say that it's the answer for me. I was prescribed generic (this may be a lot of the problem) Lisinopril which triggered the sciatica for the first time in my life and initially raised my blood pressure! It's been a living you know what for three months.

My next foray for sciatica is Epsom Salts. I usually have it but, of course, am out right now. Wouldn't it be something if that finally got rid of this beast!

Chair Exercise

Posted by Kim (Coast, Oregon) on 11/03/2009
★★★★★

I've recently suffered from a week of extreme muscle spasms in my back. Upon reading this recommendation, I began the stretching exercises and IMMEDIATE relief was felt after the first stretch. Sit in a firm chair with a straight back (concentrating on proper alignment & posture) and enjoy the benefits of this stretch. This is the first thing to bring relief in almost of week of pure, unrelenting pain.

I knew there had to be more options than massage and bed rest!

Thank you so much for sharing your "effectual" experience!

Stretching

Posted by Piratejenny23 (Sussex, Nj) on 08/16/2009
★★★★★

2 Simple Stretches to Relieve Sciatica

I was doing some exercises that were supposed to help increase energy, and I accidentally discovered this simple exercise sequence that cured my sciatica.

I suffered from sciatica for at least 15 years, once or twice a month, for 3 or more days at a time. I tried chiropractors & all sorts of stretching, supplements, etc; nothing helped. I always felt if I could just "pop" that little gumball-sized spot in my pelvis where all the pain started, I would feel great relief.

So all you do is this: a plank position (like a push-up position) with your feet about 12" apart. Hold for several seconds (it may be difficult). Now look up to the ceiling and lower your pelvis until it's just hovering over the floor, and again hold for several seconds. This position is also known as upward-facing dog in yoga.

Just switch between plank & dog several times. ( I believe the article recommended 3 sets of 4). You can rest by doing downward-facing dog.

If you are not strong enough for this, or can't get down on the floor, you could try this bracing yourself against a wall (remember wall push-ups from gym class?).

It may not "work" immediately. I think it took a couple of weeks, then one day as I was getting into my car, my back "popped"! And I have been sciatica-free for years. If I ever feel that tension starting to build, I just do this a couple of times; I truly truly hate push-ups, but it's worth it.

I gave this remedy to a stranger that I was chatting with at a juice bar, and a couple of weeks later we ran into each other again. I didn't recognize her right away, but she almost knocked me over in her eagerness to give me a hug and thank me! I like to pass this along whenever I can...I hope it helps!

Candied Ginger Slices

Posted by Linda (San Diego, Ca) on 07/11/2009

what about using plain ginger or ginger root tea? For those of us that don't want all the sugar. Is it the ginger or the combination of?

Epsom Salt

Posted by Aldo (Brisbane, Australia) on 06/04/2009
★★★★★

Epsom Salts Worked for Sciatica!

My mother came down with sciatica last week. Immediately she went to see my brother, who is a chiropractor. That helped her a lot but the pain and discomfort was still there for her. Since then she was resting her leg as often as she could and taking pain killers when needing to walk on it for any extended period of time. When I heard about it, I had a look on this site and noticed the epsom salts testimonials. I suggested that she try having an epsom salt bath and to drink a couple of teaspoons of it with a glass of water also.

Well, I called her this morning and my mother was so excited! She said that she had a bath for about 30 minutes (and read a magazine!) with 2 cups of epsom salts on Wednesday night before going to bed. She also drank a glass of water with 2 teaspoons of epsom salts with some honey to improve the taste. She said that she slept so peacefully that night and woke up in the morning with NO PAIN! She was over the moon!

On Thursday, she drank a couple more glasses of water, epsom salts and honey and she plans to have another bath tonight (Friday). There has been no sciatica pain since waking up Thursday morning.

Thank you to Jean and Gwen for posting your results, the good news has now spread to our family too and we are passing it on to others. God Bless.

Epsom Salt

Posted by Jean (Los Angeles, California) on 03/22/2009
★★★★★

I had severe siatica. could not sit or get out of a chair. walking was difficult. I went to a gentle homeopatjoc chiropractor who told me to sit in a hot bath of two cups of epsom salts for 15 minutes. The next morning 90% of the pain was gone. No aspirin. I will do more epsom salts baths until my exercises begin to loosen the muscles which were tight from too much sitting at the computer......

Candied Ginger Slices

Posted by Renee (San Jose, CA) on 02/23/2009
★★★★★

I irritated my sciatic nerve for the first time, and in addition to ice packs, heat pads, ibuprofen and rest, I also made ginger syrup and dried sweet pieces. Eating and drinking the ginger enhances the anti-inflammatory benefit from the ibuprofen, so I do not need to take as much. Eventually, I hope to only consume ginger while eliminating the ibuprofen. I used the recipe "Ginger Ale and It's Candy" by Ming Tsai and even substituted some of the sugar with stevia for sweetener. I add 1-2 Tablespoons of syrup to 8 oz. selter water for the ginger ale. I have been eating 6-8 small pieces of ginger daily, or adding to my tea for flavor. Ginger is good!

Epsom Salt

Posted by Gwen (Denver, CO) on 02/19/2009
★★★★★

I have found over the years that I will experience severe sciatica when I am severely constipated. When this happens I pull out the "big guns", Epsom salts. 2-4 teaspoons dissolved in water. Small amount of water followed by as much water as possible after wards. I'll use a straw to drink solution. Put straw to back of tongue beyond taste buds & suck. Taste terrible, but when I am in that much pain I'll do anything to relieve it! You can also add lemon or lime juice to lessen the taste. Pain starts to diminish after first trip to the pot. Works every time & I'm over it in less than 24 hour. Good luck & God/Goddess Bless!

Candied Ginger Slices

Posted by Anna (Philadelphia, PA) on 02/19/2009
★★★★★

My husband had his sciatica pain gone in few minutes after eating ginger by itself (candidized or powdered).

Stretching

Posted by Debbie (New Plymouth, Idaho) on 01/24/2009
★★★★★

I have been dealing with sciatica and restless leg syndrome as well as fibromyalgia for quite awhile. My job requires a lot of heavy lifting which irritates everything including my lower back. It is very important to stretch every night before bed to keep the hamstring muscles from tensing up. A couple of stretches that work are

1.- sit on the floor. Cross on right leg over the other with the heel lined up with the knee of the left leg and then twist towards the right. Balance with your arms. Hold for a few seconds and then do it with the other leg;

2.Sit on the floor or in a chair. Clasp your hands over the right knee (leg is bent) and push against your hands and hold. Then put your hands on top of your bent knee and push up against your hands. It seems to align the bones in your hips and work the muscles that are irritating things. Of course you repeat on the other leg.

Stretching, Magnesium

Posted by Margie (Sparta, Tennessee) on 12/29/2008
★★★★★

I have suffered with chronic facet syndrome and sciatica for years. At night the pain magnifies when I try to rest. I have found lying on the floor with my legs elevated on the bed or a chair brings relief but nothing compares with the relief obtained from stretching the inner muscles of the thighs. I lay on my back and do the "splits" while supporting my legs on the couch or bed. It is painful at first but I deal with it. When the pain of the initial stretch subsides, I stretch it a little more,etc....The combination of the cold floor, stretching of the muscles, and elevation of the legs help me a lot. I also take magnesium supplements to relax everything...Margie in Tennessee

Tennis Shoe Technique

Posted by Mark (Fort Worth, TX) on 12/06/2008
★★★★★

The tennis shoe technique is working marvelously for me. I've been having pain in my back along the sides that feels like a nerve is 'pinching' whenever I sit down, almost as if I'm sitting on the nerve. Using the tennis shoe technique however, I felt immediate relief. I'm guessing all the pressure of sitting on the center of your body pushes the spine upwards and allows anything trapped to get out of the way. This technique worked where an inversion table failed. Thank you very much for sharing. I have no doubt I'd be having another miserable day if not for this.

Exercise and Stretching

Posted by Lorraine (Derby, Kansas) on 12/02/2008
★★★★★

Sciatica: Using a Precor stretch trainer does wonders for me. These seem to be available at many gyms including the YMCA. Too much sitting causes flare-ups for me. Getting regular exercise and stretching allows me to do my work (which is sedentary) without pain. My pain used to be so bad that doctors prescribed painkillers. As long as I stretch and exercise regularly, I find that I am pain free.