When you suffer from lower back pain brought on by your sciatica, you may wonder if there is anything you can do at home to naturally ease your symptoms. If so, use the following three-step guide to help relieve the pain caused by an irritated sciatic nerve.

Step 1:  Soak In A Warm Epsom Salt Bath

The first step in treating your back pain involves soaking in a warm Epsom salt bath. The Epsom salts help pull out some of the inflammation and help relax the muscles around the nerve.

When your sciatic nerve becomes irritated, the muscles respond by tensing up. As they contract, the pressure causes further irritation and stress on the nerve, leading to more contractions. Easing the tension in the muscles helps break this cycle.

While running your warm bath, add a cup of Epsom salts to the water. After letting them melt for a few minutes, lay back and soak in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes. After drying off, go on to the next step.

Step 2:  Rub On A Homemade Back Liniment

After your bath, this next step involves rubbing a homemade liniment on your lower back made from baby oil and jalapeno juice. The juice from the peppers contains capsaicin, an ingredient that has anti-inflammatory properties. The heat also helps to further reduce the tightness in your muscles.

Take a small bottle of baby oil, and pour out a half a cup of the oil. Then, cut the ends off of four to five jalapeno peppers, and squeeze them over the bottle so the juice runs into the oil. Shake the bottle vigorously, then let the mixture sit overnight so the two ingredients can fuse together.

Put a small amount in the palm of your hand, and massage the liniment into your back. Wash your hands thoroughly, then go on to the next step.

Step 3:  Stretch Your Back

After loosening up your muscles, stretch your lower back. This helps lengthen the fibers of the tense muscles, releasing any knots that may be pushing against your sciatic nerve.

A gentle stretching exercise you can use is to lie on your back in bed. Slowly pull one knee to your chest, and gently pull it toward you for a few seconds. Then, repeat the second leg. 

While the above guide can help you ease some of your discomforts, you may find there are times when you can barely move because the pain is so bad. If so, you may want to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss further treatment options for back pain relief.