Herbs and plants have indeed been a very important part of holistic healing for ages. However, with the advent of modern medicine, people have forgotten how to use natural medicine for their healing. Essential oils are a very integral part of natural medicine. They are concentrated oils that have been derived from natural plants and herbs. Even if they don’t completely heal diseases, they are known to help immensely with healing and should most definitely be used in mainstream medicine.
Essential oils have a history of being very useful when it comes to treating small diseases. From the common cold or more serious diseases like sciatica, essential oils are useful for healing all diseases.
In this article, we will be talking about essential oils for sciatica. Before we talk about the many essential oils that may be useful for sciatica, let us first know what sciatica is.
Sciatica is one of the most common nerve diseases. However, the commonality of the disease doesn’t reduce its seriousness of the disease. Every year, thousands of people are affected. In the earlier days, there was barely any medicine that could cure this disease.
However, with time and developments in the field of modern medicine and technology, many more medicines have come up in the market. Along with this many doctors and physiotherapists have suggested the use of essential oils to ease the pain and provide some temporary relief.
Sciatica may be a very common disease, but it is indeed very severe for some. Sometimes the symptoms are so severe that the person is unable to move and walk, let alone do daily chores. This is indeed very troublesome for everyone, especially for the few who lead a very hectic and busy life. Many types of research have proven an analgesic type effect of essential oils for sciatica. This is why more and more people these days are opting for essential oils to get some relief from this disease.
Contents
What is Sciatica?
Contrary to the popular belief of many people, sciatica is not a medical term. It is a common term that is used to describe any irritation or inflammation around the sciatic nerve which is situated in the back area. The sciatic nerve gets damaged mainly due to pressure or an accidental fall.
However, there could be many other triggers that elevate the symptoms of sciatica. Here are a few to mention.
- Other medical conditions: Your sciatica may be triggered because of other neurological health problems. It could be triggered due to any health problem in fact. Having a slipped disc has been found to be a very common trigger for sciatica.
- Mental stress: We know how harmful mental stress is to our health. Mental or emotional stress is very closely related to the nervous system, and it vastly affects any nervous condition sciatica included.
- Poor posture: We should concentrate on having the correct posture just for our appearance. Having a bad posture badly impacts our physical and emotional well-being alike. Having a bad posture means there is unnecessary pressure on some parts of the body whereas there is very little pressure on others. This imbalance is very bad for the nerves and maybe trigger your sciatica.
- Tight-fitted clothes: The saying “comfort before fashion” isn’t just a style statement. It is also integral to inculcate this statement in our daily lifestyle. We all have once been in a position where we have sacrificed our comfort for fashion. However, the next minute we have suffered the consequences like back pain, leg pain, etc. tight fitted clothes may be very fashionable but are terrible for posture; as a result of which some nerves may be impacted and hence trigger your sciatica.
- Sitting on hard objects: Many types of research have proven that sitting or sleeping on very soft mattresses can be very harmful to your posture. However, the same goes for very hard objects and surfaces. Recent research has also advised against keeping wallets in the back pocket as it is extremely harmful to the posture and may trigger your sciatica.
- Other factors: Some other factors may include excess body weight and pregnancy. In short, anything that impacts your posture in any way is almost bound to impact and trigger your sciatica in one way or the other.
What are the different procedures used to treat Sciatica?
Many cures have come up in the market. However, the first step towards curing any nerve disease is adequate non-pharmacological and self-care processes. A few of the many home remedies for sciatica are the use of a hot or cold gel pack, yoga, proper diet, and good emotional health.
This is where essential oils for the sciatic nerve make an entrance. Essential oil for sciatica does not only help in elevating the pain but also helps in emotional well-being. Many essential oils for sciatica pain help you to relax because of their therapeutic smell along with being very effective in reducing pain.
Sciatica essential oils may be of many types. Some pure essential oils for nerve pain may be very potent and may require some dilution. However, the other essential oils available in the market are mixed versions and include many essential oils. You can also make an essential oil recipe for sciatic nerve pain in your home. This should be done only after the potency, and the amount of the essential oils have been duly considered. Never go overboard with the number of essential oils as doing that would be more harmful than effective.
Essential oils for Sciatica may be included in your everyday life in the form of massage therapy or aromatherapy. Some people prefer a bit of both. Whichever is your preference, the one thing that you should always consider is not to use more than the few drops as recommended by your doctor or written behind the jar. Never exceed 20 drops of essential oil when mixing it with one ounce of carrier oil. Remember to clean the area carefully before topical application so that the oil can penetrate deep into your skin and provide instant relief.
Various processes of using essential oils for sciatica
1. Hot/cold compress:
If you are looking forward to using an essential oil blend for sciatica, then it is best to do so with a hot or cold compress. This will elevate any risk of irritation from essential oils and increase the effectiveness of the essential oils as well. You can use a cold or warm towel to soak the blend of essential oil for maximum effect.
2. Aromatherapy:
If you are someone who is indeed uncomfortable with essential oils or is allergic, then you should definitely opt for aromatherapy. In aromatherapy, you can use essential oils with the help of a diffuser or vaporizer. This method is also very useful. When you take in air that is infused with essential oils, the respiratory system absorbs it and sends it to the affected areas. Many people have claimed aromatherapy to be very effective and relaxing when it comes to sciatica.
3. Massage therapy:
This is when you use the essential oils topically. If you have some skin conditions then it is always advised to mix the essential oils with some other carrier oils in order to reduce the potency of the essential oil.
These are only a few of the many ways in which you can use essential oil for sciatica pain.
Now that we know about the many ways you may inculcate essential oils for sciatica relief in your everyday life, let us know about a few of the oils that may be the best essential for nerve pain help immensely in case of sciatica.
7 Best Essential Oils For Sciatica
1. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus is one of the most common and effective essential oil when it comes to nerve pain. Not only is that eucalyptus oil for back pain also a very famous remedy among the many remedies suggested by doctors. Eucalyptus oil provides a very warm and calming effect to the affected area and is hence one of the most used ingredients in any essential oil blend recipe for muscle pain. Since it helps immensely with leg spasms and nerve pain it is also one of the best essential oils for muscle spasms and also a must ingredient in every nerve pain oil blend. This also improves blood circulation and is good for your physical well-being in general.
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is one of the most soothing essential oils to have ever been created and is very effective when it comes to aromatherapy for nerve pain. This oil is also very effective when it comes to muscle tension, headaches, joint pains or arthritis spasms, etc. Many professionals recommend lavender oil to cure headaches, anxiety, and any other kind of mental stress. This is perfect for people who think that their sciatica is a result of their emotional turmoil. Many doctors also recommend lavender oil for back pain.
3. Peppermint Oil
You will have to be living under a rock not to know what peppermint is. Peppermint oil is one of the most cooling oils and is usually used in mints and mouth fresheners. However, that is not the end of its utility. Many people have also recommended peppermint essential oil for muscle pain. Not only this, but peppermint oil for nerve pain is also one of the most effective natural remedies for sciatica. Peppermint oil’s anti-inflammatory properties help in pain relief and are also very relaxing. You can either apply it topically or use it with a vaporizer or diffuser.
4. Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary is one of the most used spices and helps in bringing a beautiful taste to all your dishes. However, not many know how useful rosemary is for curing nerve pain. Many medical professionals recommend rosemary oil for pain. If you are someone who has any problems with muscles and nerves then you can definitely use rosemary oil for muscle pain and nerve pain.
5. Wintergreen oil
Wintergreen oil is a very rare essential oil. Yet, this turns out to be one of the most effective essential oils for nerve pain. This is due to the presence of methyl salicylate, which is very useful for nerve and muscle pain. This is very useful when it comes to leg spasms and muscle pain. Wintergreen oil is also very useful when it comes to nerve pains, headaches, arthritis, and dysmenorrhea.
6. Helichrysum Essential Oil:
Many researchers have proven that this oil is one of the most effective essential oils when it comes to sciatica nerve pain and other kinds of muscle pain. This oil has anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties and is a mild sedative, and is also known to be skin-friendly and suits all skin types. If you are someone with sensitive skin or someone who is new to the world of essential oils then you should definitely try this oil.
This oil also helps in the regeneration of cells which in turn may help to cure any muscle pain post-injury. The price of this oil is comparatively higher when it comes to this oil because of its limited availability. Also if we consider the fact that it cures sciatica nerve pain way quicker than other essential oils then it is definitely rightly priced.
7. Ginger Oil
Till now you would have heard of ginger as an excellent home remedy for cough and cold. However, did you know that it also helps immensely with any nerve pain? Yes, you read it right.
Ginger also makes it to our list of the most effective essential oils for sciatic nerve pain. Many doctors recommend Ginger oil for pain, and many people have various positive reviews regarding its effectiveness.
Now that we know about the various kinds of pure oils that help a lot with sciatica, let us now discuss the various mixes you may make. The thing about pure oils is that some of them are very potent and may become very overwhelming for a few. Even for people with very sensitive skin, it is not advisable to use pure oils. Making a concoction of various essential oils with carrier oil will not only decrease the potency of the oil but will also help you to take benefit of all the essential oils in one go. If you are looking for the best pain relief essential oil blend recipe, read on.
Blend Of Essential Oil For Sciatica Nerve Pain
1. The basic blend:
This one is a very easy blend and can be made with easily available ingredients. For this you will need:
- 1 teaspoon of carrier oil (choose from coconut, argan, jojoba, sesame, sweet almond, grapeseed, or macadamia). These oils are very easily absorbed into the skin and are perfect for ones with sensitive skin.
- 4 drops of peppermint
- 5 drops of rosemary
- Lavender – 5 drops
- 1 small clean glass bottle
Clean the glass bottle with lukewarm water. Wipe it well to ensure that there is no moisture left in it. It is better to let it dry for a while. After the jar is free from any moisture, pour in the carrier oil and add the essential oils in the amounts mentioned above, and gently roll the container in between your palms for some time and your pain relief essential oil blend is ready to use.
2. The instant pain relief essential oil mix:
This mix may be a bit tricky to make due to the limited availability of the ingredients. However, if you can lay your hands on all of the ingredients then this may be the best pain relief mix you can ever make for yourself. In order to make this amazing essential oil mix, you will need:
- 1 empty bottle (glass)
- 5 drops of lavender
- 4 – 5 drops of helichrysum essential oil
- Carrier oil – 1 ounce
Make sure you mix all the oils carefully for maximum effect. After making the oil ensure that you store the jar in a cool and dry place away from any moisture. The jar in which you are storing your essential oil mixes should be air-tight and travel-friendly to avoid any wastage.
3. The Daily Mix:
This is a mix for daily use that you can easily prepare within minutes. Along with it being easy to make, it is also easy to use. For this, you will need:
- 15 ml of carrier oil
- 4 drops of chamomile essential oil
- 3 drops of helichrysum essential oil
- Marjoram – 3 drops
- Lavender – 2 drops
- 1 small spray bottle of glass
It is better to store this mix in a spray bottle because they are easy to use and very travel friendly. This mix could be your perfect companion on days when you have to travel a lot and need a pain reliever with you just in case your sciatica hits you out of nowhere. Face the day confidently with this quick daily mix.
Conclusively, essential oils are indeed very effective when it comes to treating sciatica. However, too much essential oil for sciatica is bad. Make sure you measure and use your essential oils carefully to avoid any inconveniences. If you have any medical issues, it is always best to consult your doctor first.
Hi, I am Valerie. I love working out and trying out various products which help me maintain my fitness. I love reviewing products related to posture and pain relief that will help people in some way. I like to spend my extra time swimming, Running and Wall Climbing. I am a physiotherapist and have helped countless people lead a pain free life.