Sciatica
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a specific pain that originates from the sciatic nerves which each run from one side of the pelvis through the hip and buttocks and down the leg.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatic can be triggered by very small, normal movements like bending over to one side at a bad angle to pick something up, as well from suffering a trauma like falling off a ladder and landing on your back. What happens in all cases is that the sciatic nerve is compressed and consequentially causes you pain. Scaitica can also be caused by stretch type injury as well as gradual onset.
Sciatica is generally caused by compression of nerve roots in the lumbar spine causing pain to the lower back, buttocks and legs, and far less commonly by compression to the sciatic nerve itself, which is the “true” meaning of the term sciatica. One of the primary causes of sciatica is a slipped disc. Other factors however that can cause sciatica include: injury to the buttocks, prolonged external pressure on the nerve, pressure from a tight muscle or nearby structure. Often sciatica is experienced late in pregnancy as a result of the uterus pressing on the sciatic nerve
What are the symptoms of Sciatica?
The pain that accompanies sciatica can range from mild to debilitating.
Normal symptoms include:
- A sensation of pain
- Weakness, numbness or tingling that generally begins in the lower spine and radiates down through the hips and buttocks and down the leg
Symptoms may also include:
- Impaired circulation
- Numbness of muscles or a feeling of weakness along the nerve pathway in the leg or foot
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Difficulty in moving and controlling the leg.
What treatment can you have for Sciatica?
Things you can do yourself
- Hot and Cold Treatment
- Stretching
- Pain-relief medication (always seek advice from a medical professional)
- Regular exercise
- Maintain a good posture
Rehabilitation treatment
- Physiotherapy
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Steroid injections
- Chiropractic Manipulation