Sciatica and back pain are common ailments these days. Back pain affects over 80% of the world’s population. Sciatica should never be confused with back pain.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve int he body. It goes from the lower spine, right down the backside, the leg, and ends up in the tips of the toes. Sciatica causes discomfort and sufferers are sometimes unable to do their daily tasks. The good news is the fact that you can relieve these conditions using a tennis ball.
That’s it! No medication, no expensive treatments.
Relieve sciatica and back pain with a tennis ball.
1. Sore back
If your back is aching, grab two tennis balls and fix it.
Lie on your back, and place the balls underneath it. They should be placed between your tailbone and ribs. Go back and forth or side to side, and take deep breaths while doing so. Massage your back for 5 minutes.
2. Sore hands
The pain in your hands is usually a result of a tension. It affects your palms, fingers or flexor muscles.
Press a tennis ball with your sore hand. Place your other hand on top for extra pressure. Press with your total body weight while keeping the ball steady. Do this for a minute.
Move the ball around for additional three minutes.
3. Hip pain
Sciatica may sometimes affect the hip area. It’s caused by tension in the following muscles:
- Gluteus Maximus (hip extensor muscle)
- Medius (thick radiating muscle)
- Piriformis
Sufferers are unable to walk, move or do anything that includes their hips.
Lie on your side, and place the tennis ball under the sore muscle. Rotate your hips in slow circles. Do 12 circles and switch sides.
4. Neck strain
Neck pain is the best friend of your back pain, and it’s more common in office workers.
Lie on the floor, and place two balls under your head, right under the bottom of your skull. Nod with your head up and down for a minute. Now shake your head, side to side, for a minute.
5. Chest tightness
It’s also known as compressed chest. This condition causes discomfort, and a tennis ball can really help you.
Stand towards a wall. Place the tennis ball beneath the clavicle, and press. Take deep breaths. Shift the ball in different directions if necessary. Massage your chest for a minute.
Chest tightness may trigger severe problems with your nervous and respiratory system.
6. Knee cramping
Knee cramps may be caused by numerous factors, including sciatica.
Sit on a chair and bend your knees. Place the ball behind your knee caps, and hold it with your leg. Squeeze down the ball 10 times. Make a break, relax your muscles and go for another 10 reps. Switch knees.
7. Shoulder discomfort
It’s common in those who do a lot of physical labor.
Lie on the floor and place the ball between your shoulder blades. Roll it around with your shoulders.
8. Thigh discomfort
Sciatica affects a large part of your body, including your thighs.
Sit on a chair, and place two tennis balls on the outside of your thighs.
Bend and straighten your leg repeatedly. Your thighs should move in a horizontal line. Do 30 reps. Switch thighs.
9. Plantar fasciitis
It affects heels and it’s caused by tissue inflammation. Sufferers can ignore it, and it’s more common in the morning. Some of the common triggers include obesity, standing hours and even workouts.
It may be caused by sciatica or bad footwear. Plantar Fasciitis may easily trigger pain in your upper back.
Stand on a tennis ball, and make sure it’s placed right under your heel. Roll it around. Switch feet.
10. Poor posture
Fixing bad posture is a huge challenge. Improper body posture may lead to severe health problems:
- Bad circulation
- High blood pressure
- Jaw pain
- Higher stress levels
- Digestive issues
- Decreased positive thinking
- Headaches
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Restriction of breathing
- Lowered motivation
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Sleeping difficulty
- Other forms of back and shoulder pain
Here’s how to fix it:
Lie on the floor and place two tennis ball under your upper back. Have one ball on each side. Place your hands behind your back, and push it off the ground. Bring your chin to your chest and lift your hips. You should notice a gentle tension. Take three deep breaths as you move. Roll the balls upwards and downwards across your upper back.
Final words
Sciatica can be relieves in many natural ways, and you don’t need ibuprofen to get rid of it. Tennis ball provides great effect in the treatment, and you should definitely try it.
Check the Internet for video instructions, and relieve your pain naturally. You can also do yoga, chiropractic care, massages, pilates and certain workouts.
