The human body can handle a significant level of stress, but there is only so much it can take.
When it comes to physical tensions, sciatica is one of the most common body pain experienced by many. Massage usually provides relief to sciatica pain.
But can massage make sciatica worse?
Massage therapy is recommended for most body pains, including sciatica. But there are cases of some people who complain that their condition worsened after a massage.
If you feel shocking sensations in your lower back region or sharp pain in your legs, back, and buttocks, chances are, you may have sciatica.
If you do, is massage therapy a good treatment for it? We’ll look into that here.
Sciatica 101
Sciatica pain is caused by inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve. This pain often occurs due to a nerve injury.
The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest in the human body and comprises 5 sciatic nerves. Two are in the lower back region, and three are in the final section of the spine (sacrum)
The two sciatic nerves that run from the lower back are divided into two separate nerves for each leg. These nerves play a major role in mobility.
And if any is injured, the patient will feel a sharp sciatic pain that will limit their ability to move freely.
The two sciatic nerves that run from the lower back are divided into two separate nerves for each leg. These nerves play a major role in mobility. And if any is injured, the patient will feel a sharp sciatic pain that will limit their ability to move freely.
The two sciatic nerves that run from the lower back are divided into two separate nerves for each leg. These nerves play a major role in mobility. And if any is injured, the patient will feel a sharp sciatic pain that will limit their ability to move freely.
So if a person suffers from sciatica pain, this is a clear indication of an injury. Furthermore, the pain is likely to emanate from the lower back and extend down to the legs.
Where Does The Pain Come From?
Most sciatic pain injuries are a result of compression, irritation, or inflammation of one or more nerves. If more than one sciatic nerve is affected, the pain will be more intense.
Victims of sciatica may feel leg weakness or numbness on one leg. They may also feel sciatic pain in both that may persist for a long time. Burning sensations, shocks, and shooting pain are some of the symptoms of sciatica.
If you suffer from sciatica pain, you don’t have to be overly worried. This is because many people suffer the same condition.
For instance, in the US, about 40% of the population has experienced sciatica pain at some point. While some may feel it slightly, for others, the pain is more intense depending on the cause of the condition.
Causes Of Sciatica
Sciatica pain can be caused by any of the following.
1. Herniated Disk
A herniated disk is one of the leading causes of Sciatica pain. Also known as a slipped disk, it supports the spinal vertebrae and acts as a cushioning pad.
Sometimes, this pad may slip out of its place due to excessive pressure and cause it to bulge. The expanded disk can rupture the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica pain if this happens.
2. Degenerative Disease
Degenerative disk disease may affect the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica.
Degenerative diseases cause a natural meltdown between the spine’s vertebrae. This meltdown causes the weakening of the cushion pad. And will make the vertebrae shaky.
3. Spinal Stenosis
Another leading cause of Sciatica is spinal stenosis. This occurs when sciatica narrows down abnormally.
It reduces the sciatic nerve roots and cords, thereby causing disk herniation. Over time, the herniation will then degenerate into sciatica.
Can Massage Make Sciatica Worse?
In most cases, massage therapy and massage treatments will relieve sciatica pain. Usually, these treatments sooth sore muscles and calm inflamed nerves.
But in some cases, massage can trigger even worse sciatic pain. If you find that massage therapy, at-home back massagers, massage chairs, etc. are making things worse, immediately stop using them. Discuss the circumstance with your doctor, and tentatively resume use as long as the pain doesn’t return.
In some cases, massage can trigger even worse sciatic pain. If you find that massage therapy, at-home back massagers, massage chairs, etc. are making things worse, immediately stop using them.
Massage Chairs offer deep tissue massage that gradually strengthens the nerves and heals them. Here are some ways that massage chairs can help with sciatica.
1. Massage The Lower Back Region
A massage chair offers a high-intensity impact for deep tissue massage. This intensity can alleviate back pain by helping stiff muscles relax.
Sciatica can occur due to muscle stiffness. But once the muscles relax, the pain will naturally ebb away.
The best massage chairs offer deep tissue massage that will have a positive effect on the back.
2. Stimulate Nerve Endings
Another way a massage chair can treat sciatica is by stimulating the nerve endings using a special kneading technique.
Many modern chairs have 3D and 4D rollers that stimulate nerve endings. This strengthens connective tissues. This removes unnecessary pressures from the nerves and also increases blood circulation.
Besides nerve stimulation, it also relaxes stiff muscles that may be compressing the sciatic nerve.
3. Heat Therapy
You can use massage chair heat therapy to treat sciatica also. These chairs have heating pads for the lumbar and calf regions.
When you sit on a massage chair, the heat targets the pressure points in your back and legs. This helps your muscles relax and dilates blood vessels for more blood oxygen supply.
Using the chair consistently will decrease muscular tension and spasms. It will also help you also relax after a long day outdoors.
How To Know If You Have Sciatica?
Most victims of Sciatica only get to know after a visit to the doctor or a massage therapist for a diagnosis. While it may be difficult to tell on your own whether you have sciatica, there are a few ways to know. Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for before you begin to feel more pain.
1. Morning Pains
If you wake up in the morning and you have a hard time walking to the toilet, for instance, you may have sciatica.
Unless you slept in an uncomfortable position, you should not have difficulty walking because of severe pain.
2. Shocking/Painful Sensations
If you feel shocking sensations, tight muscles, back pain, or pains in your back or legs, This may be an indication that one of your sciatic nerves is inflamed. As well as lumbar spinal stenosis.
For such conditions, you need a good massage chair for pain relief and to flex the tight muscles
3. Pain In One Or Both Legs
Do you feel back pain in one or both legs? You need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Feeling the sciatic nerve pain in both legs may be a sign of sciatica symptoms or something much worse.
Conclusion
Can massage make sciatica worse? For most people, the answer is no. Massage does not make sciatica worse. But for some people, massage therapy, or massage chairs, can exacerbate sciatica pain.
Before you make the final decision to try massage therapy or buy a massage chair, consult a doctor to confirm if you have sciatica. If so, discuss your therapy options, and how massage could impact your sciatica.
Many find TENS units to be effective at reducing sciatica pain.
You should also visit a massage therapist as often as you can for therapeutic massage or trigger point therapy.
