Does a stabbing pain run through your body from your lower back and does restricted movement make everyday life a misery? It is not uncommon for the so-called sciatic nerve to be involved in such unpleasant problems. In our article Sciatica: Effective exercises and acupressure points for sciatica pain , we explain how we believe the Shakti Mat acupressure mat can help those affected by sciatica.

To learn even more about what is popularly known simply as "sciatica," neurologist Dr. Nadine Webering listened to our questions and gave us detailed answers on the subject.

Interview with neurologist & Ayurvedaexpert Dr. Nadine Webering on acupressure, sciatica pain & remedies for sufferers

Many sufferers of sciatica would like to better understand what is happening in their body. Can you briefly explain how the pain develops?

"Sciatica" is a much-used term under which pain from various causes is summarized. The term is derived from a nerve in our body, the so-called sciatic nerve. This is the thickest nerve in our body and is responsible for the motor and sensory supply to the leg. If this nerve is irritated for any reason, it is accompanied by unpleasant pain. In technical jargon, we refer to this as sciatica.

The pain arises because the nerve also contains pain fibers and when irritated, these signal to the brain that something is wrong. This is because pain is always a signal that prompts us to take action and should not simply be anaesthetized.

It is very important to distinguish here whether it is just irritation of the nerve or compression, i.e. pressure exerted on the nerve. This can happen, for example, if we have a herniated disc that presses on the nerve root from which the sciatic nerve originates. It is therefore very important to consult an expert to clarify whether it is purely a case of sciatica - i.e. lumbago - which requires no further orthopaedic treatment or whether, in the worst case, surgery may even be necessary. This is because an untreated slipped disc can lead to symptoms of paralysis.

Once this has been ruled out and the diagnosis of sciatica has been confirmed, the question remains: where is the problem coming from? Sciatica is not uncommon in the world we live in. Human beings are designed to stand, walk or lie down. The anatomy of our body is not designed for us to sit all day. But unfortunately, many people do, often bending forward at the computer.
And instead of relieving the strain on our musculoskeletal system after work through exercise, we often end up on the sofa and continue to strain ourselves. This leads to muscular tension, locking of the vertebral joints and tangling of our fascial tissue, which in turn can lead to irritation of nerves in our body.

Do you have any practical examples of how the ShaktiMat can help in case of sciatica problems or even a story of an affected person who has already been helped by the mat?

I actually have some patients who have been able to do something about their back pain with the help of the Shakti Mat. Just lying on the mat regularly brings significant pain relief. Blood circulation is stimulated, which leads to relaxation of the tense muscles and loosening of the fascial tissue.

I recommend that my patients start moving after lying on the mat. This is because movements are then possible with less pain and help to eliminate the cause of the pain. Here you can work specifically with yoga exercises for the back. 

After just a few days, the pain improves significantly and often disappears completely. However, it is important not to fall back into your old patterns, but to organize your everyday life in such a way that the problem does not recur.

If you work a lot sitting down, you should take regular short breaks in which you move and also integrate a movement unit after work, preferably yoga for the back. The ShaktiMat is also a prophylactic gift here, as the muscles always remain relaxed with regular use and this prevents sciatica complaints. 

You know a lot about Ayurveda. Can you tell us to what extent Vedic medicine can help sciatica sufferers and how they can find a suitable contact person in their area to get advice?

In Ayurveda, we do not have diagnoses like "sciatica" or "disc problems" as in Western medicine. Rather, imbalances of bioenergies within us are diagnosed here based on the symptoms a patient has. 

These bioenergies are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha and they are always all present in us. At birth, each of us has a very unique composition of these energies. Because of the way we live, work and eat, they can get out of balance and cause different problems in the body. 

Sciatica symptoms are usually seen with an increase in Vata. Vata is responsible for all movements in our body. If it gets out of balance, this usually manifests itself first in digestive complaints such as flatulence and constipation. If you don't do anything against this imbalance, the increased Vata can move through the whole body and cause discomfort everywhere. If it settles in the lower back, which it very often does, we get a feeling of stiffness and pain here.

If a person comes to me with sciatica and I notice an increase in Vata, the goal is to reduce it. And that doesn't mean that we only work on the sciatic complaints very locally, but that we look at the whole life. We optimize the diet, the daily routine, and the type of exercise. We also work with local applications and medicines, which in Ayurveda correspond to herbal mixtures. Ayurveda is always holistic, involves the whole person and treats the cause of the disease and not just the symptom. 

There are many good Ayurvedic doctors practicing here in Germany. I think it is important, if you really have physical complaints and not only want to work preventively with Ayurveda, that you really go to a studied doctor and not to a coach. 

Ayurveda has become more of a lifestyle in Germany, but at its root it is a medical system and as such should only be used by doctors to treat illnesses. To find a doctor near you, you can look at Ayurveda-Verband . However, there are now also some Ayurveda doctors who practice online, like me.

How did you first become aware of ShaktiMat and what convinced you so much that you would recommend it to patients?

I was recommended the ShaktiMat by a patient. She told me that her back pain had improved. Then I first informed myself about the effect. In Ayurveda we don't have acupressure, like in traditional Chinese medicine, but there are important points in the whole body, so-called Marma points, which can be compared to acupressure points, so I thought I would give it a chance.

Already after the first application I felt an effect. I too often suffer from increased Vata, which is located in my lower back. I could see that through the heat and irritation of the affected region, my pent-up Vata got moving again and not only the back pain got better, but also other problems that I have when Vata is elevated in me. After this experience, I started to recommend the ShaktiMat to my patients as well and have received only very positive feedback so far.

Yoga can have a very positive effect on sciatica symptoms. The main point here is to create mobility and width in the lower back. From an Ayurvedic perspective, yoga can also be used to specifically reduce Vata. My four most effective asanas (yoga positions) are:

Cat-Cow

Come into the quadruped position. Exhale, lift the sternum forward to the top and gaze up at the ceiling without resting the head on the neck. Lift the sitting legs so that a small hollow back is formed. However, pull the belly button inward so that you don't fall too far into the small of the back. 

Inhale and round the back into a cat hump. Start with the lumbar spine and let the rest of the spine follow like a wave. Only last, the chin comes to the chest. Repeat this movement at least 10 times to prepare the back for the following movements.

Samakonasana (right angle) on the wall

To measure the correct distance to the wall, sit with your legs straight and facing the wall so that the soles of your feet touch the wall. Where you are sitting, your feet now come to a stop. Your feet are hip-width apart. The legs are straight. Place the palms of your hands on the wall at about hip height with fingers spread. The hands are about shoulder-width apart.

Now consciously lift your sitting legs upward and pull the belly button inward so that the back can become long. Press your hands into the wall, shoulders away from your ears. Remain in this position for at least 10 breaths. To release the position, release the tension in the arms, bend the knees a little and then slowly straighten up, vertebra by vertebra.

Try to stretch your spine along the wall. If you practice regularly, you will notice that your back will become more flexible and it will be easier for you to assume the position.

Paschimottanasana - posture of the stretched back

Come to a sitting position. Extend your legs and pull the tips of your toes toward you. Pull the seat meat back a little so that you feel like you are sitting more on the sit bones. Bring your palms to the floor beside your buttocks, fingers pointing toward your feet. Now consciously push the heels away from you to stretch the legs, straighten the torso, lift the sternum, but don't let the lower ribs pop out in front. Draw the belly button inward. Gaze straight ahead, chin parallel to the floor. This position is called Dandasana (stick seat). 

The same applies to the cane seat: take your body as it is. If simply sitting up straight is already a challenge for you, start right there and don't judge yourself. Over time of practicing, your body will soften and your mobility will increase.

Now inhale deeply once and with the exhalation slowly bend forward from the hips. Slide your hands down your legs and try to keep your back straight. Your final position is where the back is just stretched. Place your hands on your legs where they come to rest. Don't frantically try to reach your feet if you can't at the moment. Now release the neck, let the chin sink relaxed to the chest and stay here for 5 breaths. Then slowly straighten up, vertebra by vertebra.

Jathara Parivartanasana - Crocodile/Twist lying down 

Lie on your back. Place your feet about hip-width apart on the mat in front of your buttocks. Place your hands on the floor and then lift your buttocks a little and place them a little further to the left on the mat. Now let your knees sink to the right side. Now stretch your arms away from your body at a right angle. Your palms should be facing the floor. Look to the left. Make sure that both shoulders are resting on the floor. If this is not possible, place a Pillow or a blanket under your knees. Pad your knees high enough so that your left shoulder can return to the floor. 

Consciously release the knees towards the floor and notice the rotation in the spine. To dissolve the position, bring your knees back to the center and then extend the legs for a moment. Stay in this position for a few breaths to trace. Then return your feet to hip-width in front of your buttocks and build up to the other side. When you have practiced the other side, end back in the full supine position and trace for a few breaths.

Goodbye tension!

"I must say I find the ShaktiMat truly amazing. After regular use, I have noticed a significant improvement in my sciatica symptoms. It relaxes my back. I can only recommend it to others. My pain has been relieved."

- Anja H.

Dr. Nadine Webering

Nadine Webering worked as a neurologist in hospitals for several years. Today, as an independent expert with a special focus on self-efficacy, she combines modern conventional medicine with the traditions of Ayurveda and yoga. Her book "Treating migraines holistically with Ayurveda" was published in 2020. You can also find her podcast "Stay in Balance" on her website and on Spotify.

We thank Dr. Nadine Webering for her time and insights on Ayurveda, Yoga and sharing her experience with our acupressure mat for sciatic pain.

Your ShaktiTeam

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Sources:

• Deyo, Richard in New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM 2007; 356: 2239-2243).