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 inflammed, 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.  A product such as Zap It (tm), is one such product.  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)