So we made it! The Water Fast Day is done and what a fantastic (and slightly painful) experience it was! If you’re anything like me, I was struggling after about three hours and already dreaming about food. I ended up taking myself to bed early, hoping sleep would distract me from hunger. It worked… until about 10am the next morning when I was in a whole world of pain.
Lighter. Clearer. Cleansed.
The biggest takeaway for me was recalibrating what hunger actually feels like. So often, I eat because I’m bored or just because I’ve trained or because it’s a habit. On the contrary, this reset helped me reconnect with my body and realise I don’t always need to act on the first pang. It was a challenge but such a worthwhile one.
Outside of the fasting, it’s been a relatively quiet week. Lots of normal family stuff, a bit of running around with the kids but no major dramas. Thankfully, it seems like the worst of the winter bugs have passed, which is a welcome relief!
As we now roll into February, we’re gearing up for our new theme:
💗 Fall Back in Love with Movement 💗
This is all about rediscovering the joy in moving your body, whether it’s walking, stretching, dancing, lifting, running or just playing with the kids. Movement doesn’t have to be a chore, it can be something that lifts you, energises you and brings you back to yourself. Keep an eye out for our Valentine’s Specials and some fun ways to reconnect with your body this month.
As always, we’re here in the clinic to help you feel and move better, ready to make February a month where your health, energy and motivation start to climb.
Following through with our fast, Yes, your spine may enjoy a little food break too and at times it can be dramatic. One minute you’re fine, the next your leg is sending lightning bolts down to your toes. While chiropractic care, movement, and posture are key players in sciatic relief, researchers are increasingly interested in something unexpected:
When you eat and when you don’t.
Let’s talk about how fasting may support sciatica relief (and where its limits are).
First: What Actually Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica isn’t a condition, it’s a symptom.
It usually comes from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve due to:
- Disc bulges or herniations
- Spinal inflammation
- Muscle tightness (especially deep hip muscles like the piriformis)
- Poor spinal movement and posture
Inflammation is a big part of the story and this is where fasting enters the chat.
1. Fasting & Inflammation: Turning Down the Volume
Recent research shows that intermittent fasting can reduce systemic inflammation by lowering inflammatory markers like CRP and certain cytokines.
Why this matters for sciatica:
- Less inflammation = less nerve irritation
- Reduced swelling around spinal discs and joints
- Improved tissue recovery
Think of fasting as turning down the background noise so your body can heal more efficiently.
2. Fasting Helps Your Discs “Rehydrate” (Indirectly)
Spinal discs don’t have their own blood supply, they rely on movement, hydration and metabolic health.
Studies suggest fasting improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic efficiency, which supports nutrient delivery and tissue repair.
Healthier metabolism equals to:
✔ better disc nutrition
✔ improved fluid balance
✔ less disc degeneration over time
Your discs are basically introverts; they thrive when conditions are calm and balanced.
3. Weight Load Matters (And Fasting Can Help Here Too)
Excess body weight increases compressive forces on the lumbar spine, especially the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels where sciatica nerve exits.
Clinical trials show intermittent fasting can support gradual, sustainable fat loss without muscle breakdown when done properly.
Less load on the spine equals:
✔ reduced nerve compression
✔ less disc stress
✔ easier movement
Your sciatic nerve definitely prefers a lighter workload.
4. Fasting May Calm the Nervous System
Sciatica isn’t just mechanical; the nervous system’s sensitivity plays a huge role.
Emerging research shows fasting can promote neuroprotective pathways and reduce nerve hypersensitivity through improved mitochondrial function and reduced oxidative stress.
Translation?
Your nerve may become less reactive, meaning fewer flare-ups and less “angry nerve” behaviour.
Important Reality Check
Fasting is not a standalone treatment for sciatica. It is just one of many tools that ‘MIGHT’ be able to help in reducing the symptoms. But if you have ever had sciatica then you will be willing to try anything.
It will NOT:
1). Realign your spine.
2). Fix a disc herniation.
3). Replace movement or Chiropractic care.
But it can support recovery when combined with:
- Chiropractic spinal care
- Targeted movement and mobility
- Good hydration
- Anti inflammatory nutrition
Think of fasting as a supportive teammate, not the star striker (Antoine Semenyo).
Where Chiropractic Fits Perfectly
At Chiropractic clinics, sciatica relief focuses on:
- Improving spinal movement
- Reducing mechanical nerve irritation
- Restoring joint and muscle balance
When inflammation and metabolic stress are lower (thanks to smart lifestyle habits like fasting), Chiropractic care often works faster and more comfortably. Your body heals best when the mechanical and biological systems work together.
The Takeaway:
✔ Less inflammation
✔ Better movement
✔ Lighter spinal load
✔ Calmer nervous system
Fasting may help create the right environment but movement and spinal care do the heavy lifting.
Your spine doesn’t need extremes.
It needs balance, rhythm, and support!
**Always Note**
Fasting isn’t suitable for everyone, especially those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, or managing eating disorders. Always speak with a healthcare professional before starting.
References
- de Cabo, R., & Mattson, M. P. (2019). Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(26), 2541–2551.
- Mattson, M. P., et al. (2018). Impact of intermittent fasting on health and disease processes. Ageing Research Reviews, 39, 46–58.
- Mattson, M. P., et al. (2020). Metabolic switching, neuroplasticity, and brain health. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 21(2), 63–80.
- Lowe, D. A., et al. (2020). Effects of time-restricted eating on weight loss and metabolic health: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, 180(11), 1491–1499.
- Hartvigsen, J., et al. (2018). What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2356–2367.
- Foster, N. E., et al. (2018). Prevention and treatment of low back pain: Evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet, 391(10137), 2368–2383.
- Anton, S. D., et al. (2018). Flipping the metabolic switch: Understanding and applying the health benefits of fasting. Obesity, 26(2), 254–268.
If you are wanting to chat more about the information above then why not book a call with me and we can go into more detail? Click here to book or if you want to get an assessment then Book a consultation with a Chiropractor here
If you do know someone who wants more advice, please send them our details. You can send them this assessment as well to diagnose their back pain. It is a great tool to understand where your back pain is coming from, it is free and takes 60 seconds. Click here for assessment
