A Guide to Finding Sciatica Relief While at the Office
As you probably know by now, sciatica symptoms can flare-up at any time. This can be problematic, especially when you're at the office and have to complete a full day of work.
To help shift your focus off the pain and back to your job, here is a guide to finding sciatica relief while at the office:
You might be surprised to learn that sitting places more stress on your spinal discs than standing. So it's possible that extended periods of sitting may be aggravating your sciatica.
To help relieve the stress around your sciatic nerve roots, get up and move around when your symptoms strike. To be proactive, try setting an alarm on your phone or computer to go off every half hour. When you hear the alarm, try to engage in one of the following activities:
In addition to relieving the stress on your lower back, any activity that gets you up and moving can help spur much needed blood flow to your lower back.
When your sciatica symptoms strike at the office, you may not be able to lie down and apply an electric blanket for 20 to 30 minutes.
But what you can do is use an easily-concealed, disposable option. For example, you can try a disposable heat pack that you can keep in the drawer of your desk. But make sure to place a cloth between the heat source and your skin to avoid possible burns.
Another option is to try a disposable wrap that provides continuous, low-level heat. As a benefit, it might be possible to conceal the heat wrap underneath a jacket or shirt.
You can't sneak out for a massage every time you feel pain in your leg or numbness in your foot. So instead, try placing a tennis ball between your chair and your lower back.
You can place pressure on your muscles by pressing against the ball, which may help relieve the pressure on your sciatic nerve roots. If you have your own office, you can also tape 2 tennis balls to the floor of your office and lie on top of them.
If your sciatica symptoms continue to severely interfere with your work day, your doctor may suggest more aggressive treatment options like an epidural steroid injection or prescription pain medications.
To help shift your focus off the pain and back to your job, here is a guide to finding sciatica relief while at the office:
Get up and move
You might be surprised to learn that sitting places more stress on your spinal discs than standing. So it's possible that extended periods of sitting may be aggravating your sciatica.
To help relieve the stress around your sciatic nerve roots, get up and move around when your symptoms strike. To be proactive, try setting an alarm on your phone or computer to go off every half hour. When you hear the alarm, try to engage in one of the following activities:
- Take a short walk
- Stretch your hamstrings
- Complete 10 jumping jacks
In addition to relieving the stress on your lower back, any activity that gets you up and moving can help spur much needed blood flow to your lower back.
Turn the heat up on your sciatica symptoms
When your sciatica symptoms strike at the office, you may not be able to lie down and apply an electric blanket for 20 to 30 minutes.
But what you can do is use an easily-concealed, disposable option. For example, you can try a disposable heat pack that you can keep in the drawer of your desk. But make sure to place a cloth between the heat source and your skin to avoid possible burns.
Another option is to try a disposable wrap that provides continuous, low-level heat. As a benefit, it might be possible to conceal the heat wrap underneath a jacket or shirt.
Try a DIY massage
You can't sneak out for a massage every time you feel pain in your leg or numbness in your foot. So instead, try placing a tennis ball between your chair and your lower back.
You can place pressure on your muscles by pressing against the ball, which may help relieve the pressure on your sciatic nerve roots. If you have your own office, you can also tape 2 tennis balls to the floor of your office and lie on top of them.
If your sciatica symptoms continue to severely interfere with your work day, your doctor may suggest more aggressive treatment options like an epidural steroid injection or prescription pain medications.
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