Sciatica is the “Nerve of Reflexology” according to highly respected reflexologists, Dorthe Krogsgaard and Peter Lund Frandsen of Touchpoint. This couple offers reflexology services and education in their homeland of Denmark and travel worldwide to teach their unique style of reflexology. In Denmark everyone knows what reflexology is, and one-fourth of the population has experienced it.
The common complaint of sciatic nerve pain may be experienced as an ongoing challenge or short flare-ups that come and go. It may even be debilitating. Today’s post – Part 1 – summarizes what sciatica is, its symptoms, and common treatments.
Next week we’ll bring you Part 2 of this short series. It will cover the potential benefits of reflexology and other natural remedies for sciatic nerve pain.
A series on this topic would not be complete without Connie Scheel’s essential oil perspectives about sciatica. Using essential oils she has found relief for her own sciatic nerve pain and helped others with the same challenge. In Part 3 Connie shares her experience. Look for it the last week of July.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and begins from nerve roots in the lumbar spinal cord in the low back and extends through the buttock area to send nerve endings down the lower limb. The pain of sciatica is sometimes referred to as sciatic nerve pain.” ~~MedicineNet.com
Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain:
Pain radiating from low back down through the hip and into the back of the thigh and calf. Sciatic nerve pain typically affects one side or the other rather than both sides at once. It may be experienced as a mild ache, a burning sensation, or excruciating pain.
The pain may be accompanied by tingling (pins and needles sensations) or numbness.
The sensations may be different in different parts of the leg.
Potential causes of sciatic nerve pain:
The pain of sciatica may be a result of the nerve being pinched by a spinal disc. There are other ways the nerve may become irritated as well. Nearby bones, tumors, or muscles may create an inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Injuries or infections around the lumbar spine area may also be the culprit. The changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy may also irritate the sciatic nerve. Diagnosis may be made by physical exam, x-ray, or sometimes MRI.
Medical treatments for sciatic nerve pain may include:
Alternately laying down and take short walks
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Applying heat or cold
Physical therapy
Injection of steroidal drugs
Muscle relaxants
Surgery
Medical intervention may be necessary in some cases of sciatic nerve pain. Seeking out complementary and natural solutions may also be a wise choice. It has been my privilege to attend a short presentation by Dorthe and Peter, and have been studying their DVD for their workshop, “Round About: The Spine”. Referring back to the very first sentence in this article, here is the complete quote from them:
The sciatic nerve is of course interesting because so many people suffer from sciatic pains. But for reflexologists the nerve is of particular interest, because this is the very nerve conducting all touch and pain sensations from the feet. Each foot contains 75,000 free nerve endings registering everything we do as reflexologists. That incredible amount of information is relayed to the central nervous system via the sciatic nerve. Therefore, it makes sense assuming that a proper function of the sciatic nerve is necessary for a good effect of reflexology, especially if you are in favour of the theories of reflexology working through the nervous system.”
Part 2, then, will focus on the potential for relief of sciatic nerve pain through reflexology. Other natural remedy options will also be included.
Note: Informational article only. Reflexologists do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any health condition. Please consult your medical professional.
Resources:
Touchpoint
MedicineNet
Mayo Clinic
WebMD
