Sciatica nerve pain is lower back pain often triggered by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body originating from the lumbar spinal cord all the way to the sole of the foot passing through the gluteus, thigh and the heel.

The size of the nerve causes the pain to radiate through these organs thus initiating a burning sensation, numbness, and discomfort. The causes of sciatica vary as the nerve can be irritated in various ways. Tumors, pregnancy, injury, and infections are some of the causes of Sciatic nerve irritation, resulting in the condition.

Not all back pain results from sciatica but some forms of back pain are not as easy to identify. The symptoms of sciatica are often the easiest to detect and understand.

Driving with sciatica is a painful practice and a lot of people often complain of excruciating pain and discomfort while driving, but why is that?

Why Does Your Sciatica Nerve Hurt While Driving

Sciatica pain while driving is a common occurrence. This is because driving or traveling often means sitting for a long period of time and this can mean sitting on a muscle that applies pressure on the sciatic nerve hence the pain. For people with Sciatica, driving is often very unpleasant, stressful and painful. However, there are several ways to relieve sciatica pain while driving and enhance one’s quality of life.

 

How To Relieve Sciatica Pain While Driving: 6 Remedies

 

1.  Apply Cold or Heat Therapy

One of the most effective remedies to alleviate sciatic pain is applying either cold or heat therapy or both. When traveling, make sure you carry along with an ice pack and a heating pad to help ease the symptoms.

You can alternate between cold and heat as you wish. Remember to take adequate breaks between the sessions.

 

2. Use a Supportive Car Seat Wedge Cushion 

   

To reduce sciatic pain while driving, you can use a supportive wedge cushion to help alleviate pressure on your sciatic nerve. Supportive cushions have a broad spectrum of benefits that help reduce pain.

The use of a supportive cushion may help distribute pressure evenly, restore blood circulation and drastically improve your posture.

Consider using a supportive cushion when driving to help reduce sciatic pain.

 

3. Rest Your Feet On A Good Footrest

Resting our feet on a good footrest helps the rest of your leg in relieving sciatic nerve pain. A good footrest maintains good circulation and gives you the chance to move your feet interchangeably as you would like.

The discomfort is drastically reduced and your quality of life improves considerably. Invest in a good footrest today!

4. Practice Good Posture

Good posture is one way to beat sciatic nerve pain. When you have great posture, you naturally offer support to your lower back and relieve certain pressure points thereby reducing sciatic nerve pain.

Practice good posture often by ensuring your spine is properly aligned at all times and roll your shoulders to the back. Always make sure you are in a comfortable position at all times while driving.

 

5. Practice Regular Stretching

Since sciatica pain is often caused by sitting for long periods of time, you do not need to be a medical professional to know that stretching can be a great benefit.

Incorporate stretching into your daily routine and watch how the pain decreases. However, do not overdo the stretching and stop when you experience pain or discomfort.

Stretching is only designed to help alleviate pressure, not cause pain.

When it comes to driving, a helpful tip is stretching before your journey, during your journey, and after your journey. Take breaks to stretch!

6. Use Of Medication

Over the counter medications can also be used to help reduce inflammation. It is imperative to only take medication recommended to you by your physician to avoid any problems and maintain good health.

Medication can be a good addition to any of the above practices and ultimately this will help you reduce sciatic pain while driving. 

Practice any of the above to help with sciatic nerve pain.

The pain is usually managed by taking it slow and preparing your body to avoid the common triggers of sciatica. Driving can be fun and easy for you if you take the necessary precautions which decrease the chances of experiencing the devastating pain.

You can also practice good nutrition to help reduce inflammation. The occurrence of sciatica can reduce drastically with a good diet. 



Another way to reduce sciatic nerve pain is through massage. Massaging is a natural pain killer that helps soothe your spinal muscles, improve circulation and release endorphins.

Pressure points will definitely be dealt with through massaging your body which all in all alleviates sciatic pain. Sciatic pain is stressful and uncomfortable but it can be managed and you can live a completely normal life.

Book yourself into a spa regularly for massages to soothe your body and mind. 

It is important to bear in mind that sciatica is a condition involving the nerves and the spinal cord, if your symptoms are becoming worse and these remedies do not work for you, contact your physician to get a better understanding and treatment plan.

Sciatic pain varies among individuals and can range anywhere from mild to chronic, some cases can be managed by these practices and good nutrition but some cases may require surgery.

Contact your physician if you have difficulty managing the pain.