Finding Relief from Sciatica: The Healing Power of Thai Massage, Ayurveda, and Yoga

Are you suffering from sciatic pain and wondering what holistic modalities are out there to support you? Look no farther, in this article we discuss how the combination of Traditional Thai Massage, Yoga Therapy and Ayurvedic Medicine addresses sciatica. 

Sciatica can be a painful and debilitating condition, that causes discomfort that radiates pain along the path of the sciatic nerve. Extending from the lower back down through the hips and buttocks and down each leg, the sciatic nerve when inflamed can range from being a nuisance to completely debilitating.  Thai and Ayurvedic Traditional Medicine offers holistic treatments such as traditional thai massage, medicinal oil massage, herbal compress therapy and  diet, lifestyle and herbal recommendations to help reduce inflammation, pain and stress. 

Understanding Sciatica 

Before we dive into how Traditional Thai and Ayurvedic Medicine approaches sciatica let's look at the underlying causes.  The condition is typically caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can result from various conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease. Other factors that can also contribute include, muscle tightness, obesity, accident, injury and pregnancy. Symptoms commonly include pain, tingling, and weakness in the affected leg as well a dull pain in the hips back and buttocks.

How can Traditional Thai and Ayurvedic Medicine Help Sciatica? 

Traditional Thai Medicine views sciatica as a blockage of lom (wind) within the Sen Sib, 10 major energy pathways.  A typical treatment to support Sciatica will vary based on each individuals unique needs but will often include releasing tension in the glutes, hips, and lower back, assisted forward bends and back bends and the use of a heated herbal compress. All with the intention to release blockages and use passive yoga-like stretching to help alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve. In addition, a traditional hot herbal compress called 'Luk Pra Kob' is used which contain anti-inflammatory and analgesic ( pain relieving) herbs to help reduce inflammation and pain is applied.  I often send my clients home with the herbal compress and instruct them to apply it to the affected area every 2-3 hours and ice in-between.  Depending on the severity of the case and underlying cause, I've witnessed first-hand some excellent results from just a few treatments.  


Ayurvedic Medicine: What I love about Ayurveda is that brings in self-awareness, and radical self-responsibility into the healing conversation. This ancient 3,000 to 5,000 year old holistic medicine system gives us all a framework for understanding and identifying the underlying causes and patterns that cause dis-ease and discomfort.  Ayurveda views sciatica as a Vata Dosha imbalance.  This is similar to the concept of wind or lom being blocked but slightly different.  Vata governs all movement inside the body, through the circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine, and digestive system  and all external movement through our limbs, speech and actions. When Vata is aggravated ( depending on where in the body-mind it is aggravated), it is usually from a sensory overload, irregular routines and meals, and/or eating foods that aggravate vata dosha. Think about too much movement, or chronic physical repetition in a job or work position,  too much travel, taking into much information from the news to social media, not having any downtime, all of this is vata aggravating. 

The Ayurvedic approach to sciatic includes treatments to calm vata, which is essentially means calm our nervous system, reduce inflammation and restore proper movement and routines in everyday life. Yoga is an excellent tool in this which I will explain a little bit farther down. 

A trained Thai-Vedic Therapist, or Ayurveda Wellness Counsellor can help with dietary and lifestyle adjustments that pacify vata, and recommend magnesium-rich foods that help build nerve health while helping you to understand how to avoid inflammatory foods. 

Implementing stress management practices like mindfulness, deep breathing, yoga nidra and regular rest is also a valuable asset. Other recommendations Ayurveda offers include abhyanga, a form of oil application that helps to soothe the muscles and nerves and  herbal Therapies.  Ayurveda has a wonderful apothecary of herbs that reduce pain ( analgesics) and inflammation ( anti-inflammatory). Turmeric is a common kitchen herb that when combined with black pepper can activate the curcumin. It is highly recommended that you see a trained ayurvedic herbalist so that he or she can create a specific formula for your constitution and body type, and current medical condition. 

Last but not least, proper instruction in yoga can help you to create a home-care plan that supports reducing tension, stress, and alleviating pressure on the sciatic nerve. 

The Role of Yoga

When yoga poses are practiced in between  Traditional Thai Massage treatment, it can further support those with Sciatica.  A knowledgeable Thai-Vedic Specialist or Yoga Instructor can teach you the proper alignment and postures to help with sciatica. When combined with deep breathing this can be an excellent daily self care routine. 
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1. Gentle Stretches: Certain yoga poses focus on stretching the lower back, hips, and legs, helping relieve tension and improve flexibility in those areas. Poses such as Child’s Pose, Pigeon Pose, and Cat-Cow can be particularly beneficial.

2. Strengthening Muscles: Strengthening core and pelvic floor muscles can help alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve. Postures such as Plank and Bridge can enhance core stability, which is crucial for spinal health.

3. Stress Relief: Yoga encourages relaxation and mindfulness, reducing stress that can exacerbate pain. The mental focus cultivated during practice helps in managing the emotional aspects of chronic pain.



ABOUT AUTHOR 
Tara specializes in Traditional Thai Massage, Ayurveda and Yoga and offers an integrated and holistic approach to wellness through her private practice. She has spent the past 17 years learning, and growing her holistic wellness practice. She  is recognized by Thai Healing Alliance as an advanced practitioner and instructor, and has received a diploma in Ayurveda Health Counselling from the California College of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Herbal Practitioner in the SVA Lineage with Tracy Webb. She is also a 500-EYRT  Kripalu Yoga Instructor.