If you suffer from sciatica nerve pain, you know too well how severe and persistent it can be. Those intense periods of pain radiate from the lower back, down through the leg, as far as the feet. Symptoms, which may last between one to two weeks, can make life miserable. Sometimes, it may even get a little overwhelming to walk, stand, bend over, drive a car, work on a computer, and sneeze or cough. With this kind of throbbing limb pain, it’s hard to divert your attention to anything else. But when it comes to finding relief, it’s helpful to broaden your focus and consider a future where you rely less on medicines and more on a tried-and-tested solution for sciatica – Ayurveda, our ancient holistic science of healing. The Ayurvedic treatment of Sciatica consists of cleansing herbs that eliminate poisonous accumulation and digestive herbs that restore good digestion.

Can Sciatica Be Cured By Ayurveda?

sciatica pain treatment in ayurveda

Ayurveda has gained enormous popularity in recent years, and it has been growing exponentially. For some people, it may be hard to believe that Ayurveda can stand up to your excruciating back and leg pain, but it is true!

Ayurveda is brimmed with gems of wisdom and has miraculous cures for sciatica which target the underlying cause directly — relieving the symptoms and preventing future recurrences.

Ayurvedic Management of Sciatica

In Ayurveda, sciatica is referred to as Gridhrasi and its pain is compared with the pain experienced by the prey of vulture while being eaten up.

The pain is said to be caused by:

  • Imbalance of the Vata dosha
  • Intake of Vata aggravating foods
  • Excessive consumption of dry, cold, spicy foods
  • Incorrect posture during physical activity
  • Standing for a long periods of time  
  • Degeneration of the lumbar spine

Line of Treatment

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on correcting the main cause of sciatica nerve irritation aggravation of “Vata dosha”. Rebalancing the accumulated Vata dosha can be done by undertaking Vata pacifying procedures.

The Ayurvedic practitioner will tailor a personalized plan of therapies, herbs, diet, and exercise to relieving the inflammation and underlying causes of Sciatica.

Depending on the severity of the disease, some interventions may include:

  • Dhanyamla dhara
  • Abhyangam
  • Swedam
  • Pathrapotali swedam
  • Sarvangadhara
  • Kadee Vasthi
  • Navrakizhi
  • Vasti
  • Virechana

4 Herbs for Sciatica Treatment in Ayurveda

TURMERIC

Infographic of adding turmeric to your diet to ease symptoms of sciatica

Can turmeric cure sciatica? Well, the anti-inflammatory properties of Turmeric can help relieve swelling and pain associated with sciatica.

The bioactive compound in turmeric possesses analgesic properties and helps to reduce sciatic nerve pain.

Here’s how you can incorporate turmeric to your diet:  

  • Add a teaspoon of this magic powder to a cup of milk.
  • Boil it and sweeten it with honey.
  • You may also add a small cinnamon stick, if you like.
  • Drink this twice a day until you start to notice improvement.

ASHWAGANDHA

Inforgraphic of Ashwagandha to ease symptoms of sciatica

Is Ashwagandha good for sciatica? Well, this small woody plant is effective in easing the debilitating pain and heaviness that you feel in your leg from sciatica.

Research has shown that the steroidal properties of this Ayurvedic herb can be effective in treating inflammation and irritation to the sciatica nerves. It is excellent for treating all Vata imbalance symptoms.

Here’s how you can use Ashwagandha to ease symptoms of sciatica:

  • Mix Ashwagandha in til (sesame) oil
  • Gently massage the affected area twice or thrice a day, until you get relief.

GINGER

Infographic of adding ginger to your diet to ease symptoms of sciatica

Is Ginger good for sciatica pain? Undoubtedly, yes. This Ayurvedic superfood is one of the most powerful natural nerve pain relievers.

It is packed with compounds that fight inflammation. It works wonders for all sciatica sufferers by pacifying Vata dosha.

Here’s how you can incorporate ginger to your diet:

  • Add a piece of ginger to a cup of boiling water.
  • Allow it to infuse for 8-10 minutes before straining the mixture
  • Sweeten with honey
  • Drink this 2-3 times a day.

GREEN TEA

Infographic of adding green tea to your diet to ease symptoms of sciatica

People often ask, What tea is good for sciatica? Consumption of Green Tea is wondrous at helping with any numbness and pain associated with sciatica.

It is a natural anti-inflammatory and prevents one of the key causes of back pain – inflammation.

 Here’s how you can incorporate green tea to your diet:

  • Add green tea leaves to a cup of boiling water
  • Allow the green tea to infuse for 3-5 minutes before straining
  • Have this delicious drink once or twice a day to soothe the sciatica nerve.

Diet & Lifestyle Changes

  • Avoid cold food and drinks.
  • Try to avoid heavy exercise, and lifting weights
  • Avoid sleeping during the day
  • Try to reduce your weight
  • Lower your sugar levels
  • Correct your sitting posture

Why Choose Ayurvedic Sciatica Treatment?

Relying on painkillers or other medications is not a long-term solution to relieve symptoms. These may provide immediate relief from sciatica pain, but they may not address the underlying issue. Layering your pain with pills may lead to dependence.

Also, the most common medications used to treat sciatica have a lot of negative side effects.

Choosing Ayurvedic treatment for sciatic ensures that the root cause of the problem – imbalanced body energies is addressed holistically and treated naturally.