A sciatica diet is a popular treatment option for a variety of potentially problematic conditions which may lead to sciatic nerve pain. While eating a proper and well balanced diet is crucial for maintaining good health, there is little evidence that diet alone will do anything at all to counter the ravages of sciatica.
This essay will investigate how dietary alteration can be used to prevent or treat some of the processes which cause or contribute to sciatica. We will detail the use of vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements and whole foods as part of a total dietary treatment plan.
Losing Weight on a Sciatica Diet
Losing weight is always a good choice for people who are considerably overweight. Being obese presents serious health risks, many of which are far worse than back pain, including increased chances for fatal stroke, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
Losing weight might also help to alleviate pressure on sensitized spinal structures, since less weight on the anatomical frame translates into less stress on a pinched nerve inducing herniated disc or a problematic vertebrae.
While going on a diet might not cure your sciatica pain, it will certainly help to make you healthier and may reduce your symptoms enough to avoid drastic treatment, such as surgery. It will also certainly help provide many general health and wellness benefits which are just as important, even if the sciatica remains unchanged.
Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important proactive things you can do to extend the quantity of life, as well as improve the quality.
Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements for Sciatica
It is important to get the recommended daily supply of certain vitamins and minerals, in order to ensure healthy bones, a strong spine and proper neurological functionality. Calcium, magnesium and vitamin D are all necessary to build strong bones and avoid degenerative conditions, such as osteoporosis. Other vitamins which help to facilitate proper nerve function and general spinal health include: vitamin B12, vitamin K, vitamin A and vitamin C.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are 2 dietary supplements often thought to help create and maintain a healthy spine. These substances can be purchased as dietary supplements and are usually used to rebuild damaged or lost cartilage, fighting off the osteoarthritic and degenerative processes which attack the spinal joints.
Herbal Diet for Sciatic Nerve Pain
There are many herbs and herbal extracts which have been theorized to create a healthy spine, optimize neurological function or even reduce pain. Herbal cures and supplements may be highly effectual for some forms of pain and completely useless for others. Additionally, the freshness, quality and mixture of herbal ingredients can have a substantial effect on their efficacy.
To ensure the best use of herbs or natural botanical extracts as a sciatica treatment, consult with a qualified nutritionist or certified herbalist for advice. Be especially cautious of so-called “miracle cures” which are prepackaged to be sold in health food stores and online.
Sciatica Diet Guidelines
Sciatica patients typically turn to dietary alteration as a potential therapy option when other more traditional medical and complementary treatments have failed. This is usually a desperation move, rather than a truly indicated therapy modality.
Dietary changes are often recommended by care providers who just happen to sell the very same supplements and herbal products they recommend. What a coincidence… I am sure the economic motivation has nothing at all to do with the prescription.
If you already eat right and maintain good general health, there is no reason to feel that changing your diet will help or hurt your sciatica. Many patients who associate dietary changes with helping or hindering their back pain symptoms are merely experiencing sciatica related conditioning.
If you are interested in what constitutes a healthy diet, talk to your doctor for advice and make sure to use common sense when planning your daily consumption of food, fat, sodium and calories.
