If you're struggling with sciatica pain, you might have considered massage therapy as a way to find relief. Two popular massage techniques often recommended for sciatica sufferers are deep tissue massage and Shiatsu. While both can provide pain relief, they work in different ways and may be better suited for different types of pain or personal preferences.
Sciatica is a condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve βthe largest nerve in the bodyβbecomes compressed or irritated. This often leads to sharp, radiating pain that extends from the lower back down the legs, sometimes accompanied by numbness or tingling.
The causes of sciatica vary, from herniated discs and spinal stenosis to muscle tension, particularly in the piriformis muscle.
Massage therapies, such as deep tissue and Shiatsu, aim to relieve this pain by addressing muscle tightness, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation around the affected nerve. Deep tissue massage is a therapy that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.
Therapists use slow, firm pressure and deliberate strokes to target muscle knots also called trigger points , tension, and chronic muscle tightness. Shiatsu , which means "finger pressure" in Japanese, is a form of massage rooted in traditional Chinese medicine.
