Massage therapy may help release tense muscles, thereby reducing pressure on your sciatic nerve. You can choose from a variety of massages, like deep tissue massage or Swedish massage.

Sciatica can interfere with your daily activities and make standing, walking, and even sitting difficult.

If you’d like to try an alternative to traditional painkillers, massage may be able to help. It won’t treat the underlying cause of your sciatica, but it may provide some temporary relief from pain.

The main benefit of massage is soothing tense muscles. When your muscles are tense, they can put more pressure on your nerves, including your sciatic nerve. Massaging these tense muscles may help them relax, reducing pressure on your sciatic nerve.

Massage therapy may help increase your flexibility and range of motion, making it less painful to move around. It may also help reduce any feelings of stress and anxiety.

There are several types of massage therapy. There isn’t much evidence that one type is more beneficial for sciatica pain than another, so choosing one comes down to personal preference. Here’s a look at some of the most common types.

Deep tissue massage

Deep tissue massage is a form of massage that uses slow strokes and deep finger pressure to release tension from your muscles and connective tissues.

An older 2014 clinical study found that a 30-minute session of deep tissue massage five days a week over two weeks was found to be effective in treating low back pain, including sciatica.

Swedish massage

Swedish massage doesn’t use as much pressure as deep tissue massage. Instead, flowing, kneading movements are used to stimulate nerve endings in your connective tissue and increase blood flow.

It also helps to release general tension and promote pain relief.

Neuromuscular massage

Neuromuscular massage targets soft tissue. It addresses trigger points, nerve compression, postural issues, and poor circulation to release contracted muscles and improve blood flow.

Myofascial release

Myofascial release is a technique used to relieve pain that stems from your myofascial tissues — the tough membrane that surrounds and supports your muscles.

Trigger points, which are stiff, immovable areas within the myofascial tissues, cause pain and stiffness. Focused pressure and stretching on the trigger points help to reduce pain and stiffness.

Hot stone massage

Hot stone massage involves heated stones being placed on specific parts of your body, warming your muscles. They may be held by the massage therapist while they use other massage techniques.

If you’d like to give massage for sciatica a try, it’s important to choose a qualified massage therapist who has experience in treating sciatica symptoms.

To find a massage therapist, you can:

  • ask your doctor for a referral
  • ask friends and family for a recommendation
  • search the American Massage Therapy Association’s database
  • use the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork’s database

Here are some things to consider when choosing a massage therapist:

  • Your personal preference. Does the gender of the massage therapist matter to you? Some people are more comfortable with therapists of the same gender.
  • Location. Choose a massage therapist whose practice is close by or easy to get to.
  • Hours. You want to make sure that they offer appointments during hours that work with your schedule.
  • Cost. Ask how much they charge per session and about any cost-saving incentives, such as a sliding-scale option.
  • Credentials. Make sure the professional you choose is licensed to practice massage therapy in your state. Most states regulate the massage therapy profession. Be sure to ask about their credentials.
  • Type of massage. Some massage therapists are trained in several types of massage while others focus one or two types. Ask what types of massage they’re most familiar with.
  • Experience treating sciatica. Talk to your massage therapist about your sciatica and ask if they have experience in treating sciatic pain.

Before your first session, make sure to tell them about any other health conditions you have. You may also want to check in with your health insurance provider. Some cover massage therapy, especially for an underlying condition.

Massage for sciatica won’t cure the underlying cause of your pain, but it can help to temporarily relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Speak to your doctor about your symptoms before starting massage therapy to make sure it’s safe for you.