Sciatica pain is sometimes so painful it can feel unbearable. It hurts to sit the most, but it is still uncomfortable to stand and lie down. Some people turn to the sciatica pillow to get the relief they need for a good nights sleep. There are a few different options to choose from so we want to make sure that you are picking the right ones to get the relief you need. You have to remember that getting a sciatica pillow is just one step in returning to health.
Causes of Sciatica Pain
It is essential that you first understand why your sciatic is bugging you in the first place. If you don’t know why it is a problem you will struggle to get the problem to go away for good.
- Lumbar herniated disc – when the soft center of spine leaks out
- Degenerative disc disease – bone breaking down with age and irritating the nerve
- Spondylolisthesis – When one disc slips forward over another
- Spinal Stenosis – Narrows the spinal canal
- Piriformis syndrome – When the piriformis muscle is tight or inflamed
- SI Join Dysfunction – When the SI does not function properly it can irritate the nerve
Sciatica Pillow Use
Sciatica Pillow Option 1 – Full Body Pillow
The full body sciatica pillow is designed for both keeping the hips and piriformis in a better position as well as making for a more comfortable sleep. If you can get the right size pillow, you will not need an actual head pillow.
Critical Points for Full Body Sciatica Pillow
- Pillow replaces normal bed pillow
- Takes a while to get used to
- Can be comfortable
- Great for people who like to cuddle
Sciatica Pillow Option 2 – Leg Pillow
The leg pillow accomplishes the same thing as the full body sciatica pillow, but it does not require as much material and interruption to the way you usually sleep. If you have a pillow you enjoy sleeping with this option is much better for you.
Key Points for the Leg Sciatica Pillow
- The pillow can be harder to keep in position
- Not great for people who move around a lot at night
- Less disruptive to your normal sleep habits
Sciatica Pillow Option – Sitting Pillow
The sitting pillow is different from the other two pillows because it provides relief when you sit down. It is worth carrying of these around because it gives relief. The key with this pillow is finding the right fit based on your size, or it can be uncomfortable.
Key Points for the Sitting Sciatica Pillow
- Needs perfect fit or it is uncomfortable
- Provides a lot of relief while sitting
- Take a bit of getting used to in some chairs
Types of Therapists That Can Relieve Pain Long-Term
As stated earlier, the sciatica pillow is just a temporary fix. The pillow is meant to get you through the night so that the sciatic pain does not ruin your sleep. In the long run, though you eventually need to see a healthcare provider. A healthcare provider will be able to figure out what the problem is then to create a game plan to get you healthy, so you don’t need the pillow. The following providers work well for this issue:
Types of Skill Sets Providers Should Have
- Dry Needling
- Graston Technique
- Active Release Technique (ART)
- Fascial Stretching
- and many more
What is The Best Option to Avoid Having to Use a Sciatica Pillow?
The best providers will want to take a holistic approach to heal the injury. What that means is that they will not just look to heal the physical. They will want to heal all aspects of health which include:
- Mental Health
- Physical Health
- Spiritual Health
- Emotional Health
- Social Health
How to Find the Best Providers Instead of Using a Sciatica Pillow
9INE POINT Health is the place that you start this journey. 9INE POINT Health is the only tool that lets you search for sports medicine providers based on a type of therapist as well as the skill so you can find the best local options for what you need. If you are not sure what you are looking for, the 9INE POINT Health mobile app will ask you a series of questions to help you figure out the best health care provider that you should see. Even if you are not an athlete, sports medicine providers are going to do the best job dealing with a sciatic nerve issue. Stop wasting money on sciatica pillows for short-term gain.
When you are deciding between the best options, you can always look to the 9INE POINT Number. The 9INE POINT Number is the easiest way to compare health care providers. It takes the key metrics that you need to know and combines them to create a number out of 100 that you can use to decide if you want to dig in deeper. Those three metrics include:
- Ratings and Reviews
- Engagement within 9INE POINT Health
- Endorsements from Other Healthcare Providers
KHO Health was acquired by was acquire by 9INE POINT in the summer of 2019 and is now referred to as 9INE POINT Health.