Emu oil and Sciatica

The Emu Oil Institute

Emu oil and Sciatica

In the U.S. each year, 1.5 million people have lumbar MRI scans to look for the cause of buttock and leg pain called “sciatica”.  Sciatica refers to pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, which originates in the lower spine as a combination of several nerves from the lumbosacral region. The pain associated with sciatica radiates from the buttock area and is felt in the back of the thigh, and may extend to the foot.  It is very painful, and usually only one side is affected.  Although the pain is felt in the fleshy part of the body, the origin of the pain is a pinching of one or more of the nerves departing the spinal cord in the area of the intervertebral disks.  The lower back/spine  (lumbar) has the largest and strongest vertebrae and some of the largest muscles supporting it.  The nerves that exit from these areas are large and control some very large muscles.  The sciatic nerve has its origin from the nerves that exit from the lumbar spine. (See graphic below)  If muscles within this area become inflamed, they can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing a great deal of pain.

How can Emu Oil help with sciatic nerve pain?  Emu oil is an all natural anti-inflammatory.  A massage therapist has noted that, “as emu oil is absorbed into the skin through a deep massage, there is a warming sensation.”  This therapist, in applying emu oil during massage on a quadriplegic for 8 months reports seeing, “improvement in skin texture, old burn scars, and overall fitness; before emu, painful spasms were very much a part of his life; and now, almost a thing of the past”.  When Emu oil is incorporated with other ingredients such as MSM, it may help relieve the pain associated with Sciatica by delivering the MSM deep within the tissue, helping to reduce the swelling of the muscle, and warming the area.  Some recommend elevating the leg and applying a heating pad to help ease the pain associated with Sciatica. (Do not apply a heating pad to an area to which you have applied a menthol based product)

How can Emu oil help our muscles and joints?

Emu oil has a deeply soothing effect on inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory aspects are one of the better-studied properties of Emu oil but did you know it also has:

• Vitamin A – a skin repairer and high in antioxidants
• Omega 3 – Linolenic acid, fatty acids which are good for the heart
• Vitamin E – a healing agent and antioxidant
• Omega 6 – Linolenic acid – which eases muscle aches, joint pain and helps with the body’s general health maintenance
• Omega 9 – a proven skin cell regenerator
• Terpenes – known as antiseptics

More than skin deep

Emu oil does not only help to assist surface level inflammation. Due to its thin oil consistency, it is able to penetrate the layers of the skin working accessing the muscles and joints.

Emu oil contains no phosphorus molecules

Our skin is phospholipid deficient, which means there’s no phosphorus in our skin. It will not let anything containing a phosphorus molecule penetrate through it. Anytime you put anything on your skin that is phospholipid deficient, or has no phosphorus, it penetrates right through.

Emu oil is a non-polar monounsaturated fatty acid as well which means that nonpolar fatty acids move through cells more easily. It also has short-chain fatty acids like most animal fats. However, Emu Oil acts like a long-chain fatty acid similar to most plant oils. Emu oil is also non-comedogenic, meaning that when applied it will not block pores as is penetrates quickly and deeply into the skin

Not just for a quick fix

Most pain in the muscle and joints is caused by overworked muscles, injuries, sport or work-related activities. In some cases, muscle and joint pain will subside within a few days. But for some people who suffer from conditions such as arthritis, RSI and sciatica these muscles and joint pains are reoccurring and need regular treatment in order to help the body function.

Most of us do not want to be taking pain killers on a long-term or regular basis. So this is when Emu Oil can be a great alternative. Especially when coupled with a massage. The massage element will help release tension in those muscles and joints but combined with Emu oil this allows the anti-inflammatory aspects to work into the body.

Emu oil may provide all the benefits that are needed to help relieve aches and pain without having to take daily pain killers or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen.

So from common joint issues to muscle soreness and ongoing chronic pain. Emu Oil can provide instant and long-term relief to symptoms to lessen or remove the need for “traditional” pain relief medicines.

Massage can help treat sciatica

• Loosening the muscles: If the muscles in your lower back and core are tight, they can put pressure on your sciatic nerve. This tightness can also cause adhesions (commonly referred to as knots) resulting in trigger point pain. This creates a vicious cycle of pain and stress in the area. Massage brings relief by loosening the muscles and knots.
• Releasing endorphins: During a massage, certain receptors in the brain become stimulated. This causes endorphins to release in the body, creating a feel-good reaction.
• Stress reduction: When your brain releases endorphins, it also decreases the level of cortisol in the body. Cortisol affects the levels of stress in your body. When it lowers, so does your stress levels, which means relaxation for your body. And that relaxation lessens your perception of pain.