Can Thai Massage Help Sciatica?
Can Thai Massage Help Sciatica?
Sciatic nerve pain
Do you experience a burning pain in your lower back, buttocks, and legs that shoots all the way down to your toes? Do you sometimes wake up with an unexplained feeling of pins and needles originating from your posterior down to your feet?
All these are classic sciatica symptoms.
So the next time you feel this type of nagging pain in your lower back that spreads downwards, don’t just take an aspirin and lie down, hoping that you’ll soon feel better. While this, and other home remedies, can ease your pain, they can’t make your pain go away for good.
If you want more than just a temporary relief, you should consider going for a Thai massage. In this article, we’ll discuss what sciatica is, how Thai massage can help, and some prevention tips.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to the pain in your back, buttocks and radiating down the back of your leg which is caused by the irritation or compression of your sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body which is as thick as a finger where it originates. It branches out to many other areas in your body, and this is exactly the reason why pinching or irritating it can lead to pain that radiates out to many different areas. Many people who suffer from sciatica even feel the pain from their lower back all the way down to their toes.
Basically, there are two main hotspots where the sciatic nerve can get compressed– the lower lumbar vertebrae area where it leaves the spinal canal, and the piriformis muscle in the buttocks. When this muscle puts pressure on the nerve, you’ll experience what is called the Piriformis Syndrome.
There are different causes of sciatica. One is an injury such as a pinched nerve or a slipped disc, or it can also be caused by bad posture. In some cases, the pain goes away within a few weeks, but if it is not addressed, it can last for a year or even longer.
Can Thai Massage Help Treat Sciatica?
Thai massage has always been a popular form of therapy in Southeast Asia. In recent times, millions of people have used Thai massage to address their body pains and other serious conditions in the West as well.
It is more than just a routine sequence of stretches and massages on certain pressure points in the body. There is a deeper level of this ancient art, which is why it is highly regarded as an effective therapeutic massage.
Unlike other types of massage such as the Swedish massage or deep tissue massage where you would normally just lay on a massage table and stay stationary throughout the session, Thai massage is done on a floor mat and is more dynamic. The Thai massage specialist will help you improve your range of motion with stretching exercises.
In the context of sciatica, Thai massage offers exceptional approaches that target your lower back and piriformis muscle. In fact, some people may experience significantly reduced pain or even have all symptoms disappear one or two sessions.
There is also a study which found that Thai massage has been an effective therapy for minimizing chronic lower back pain. On top of that, you can also benefit from improved circulation and reduction in muscle tightness and anxiety.
Just like other forms of massage therapies, Thai massage can relax the target muscles and enhance your blood circulation. Consequently, better circulation means oxygen and essential nutrients can get to your damaged tissues and reduce your recovery time.
Also, Thai massage can enhance lymph circulation. Your lymphatic system is responsible for antibodies production and for flushing out excess white blood cells from inflamed tissues. So basically, Thai massage can boost your body’s natural healing process and provide pain relief.
As mentioned, sciatica can also be caused by overly tight muscles. Because Thai massage incorporates yoga techniques, certain routines can target these tight muscles and extend the spine. By solving these issues, you will be able to address your sciatica pain.
How to Prevent Sciatica
You’ve probably already heard the phrase that prevention is better than cure. So if you want to minimize your risk of experiencing sciatica pain, you need to be mindful of your posture, stretch before and after your workout, and exercise regularly.
It might also help to ensure that your mattress is firm enough to properly support your body, especially the weight of your buttocks and shoulders while keeping your spine straight while you’re sleeping. Also, your head should be supported with a pillow, but your head shouldn’t be forced to be at a steep angle.
Final Thoughts
Not all Thai massage therapists know exactly how to treat sciatica. It’s a real specialty that requires a deep understanding of the issue and the ability to implement the right techniques.
If you’re looking for a reliable Thai massage expert, you might want to check out Thai Massage – NYC. Led by a massage therapist with over a decade of experience, you’ll surely find long-term relief for your sciatica and other body pains.
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