While many of us have experienced its symptoms (lower back pain that radiates through the hips and down the legs), you may wonder “What IS Sciatica?” and why does it affect so many people every year?
Sciatica is a significant health issue, distinguished by discomfort, numbness, and a tingling sensation that follows the path of the sciatic nerve. Sciatic pain radiates from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the legs. The painful sensation is due to the irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in our bodies.
Sciatic pain symptoms can range from mild to severe. Pain can vary from a mild ache to sharp, burning sensations.
Symptoms Include:
- Back pain
- Burning, tingling, or shooting pain down the back of one leg.
- Weakness or numbness in the leg or foot.
- Pain in one leg or buttock that may get worse with:
- Sitting
- Standing up
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Straining
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica affects many people due to its various potential causes and predisposing factors. It’s not a single condition, but a symptom of an underlying problem, typically related to the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.
Risk Factors:
While it is more common in men than women, many of its risk factors are linked to lifestyle, such as:
- Obesity
- History of low back problems
- Heavy manual labor
- Occupations that require standing for long periods of time
- Lack of physical activity/exercise
However, some health conditions have also been linked as risk factors:
- Fractures in the back.
- Tumors.
- Infections.
- Metabolic issues, such as Diabetes
Causes:
Caused by irritation or pressure on one of the nerve roots in the lower back (lumbar spine), sciatica can be a result of:
- Herniated discs – when the cushions between the bones of your spine bulge and press on the nerve as it exists the spinal column.
- Piriformis Syndrome – spasms of the Piriformis muscle, compressing the sciatic nerve.
- Arthritis in the lower back, where bony spurs irritate the nerve.
- Spinal Stenosis – narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back (lumbar) area.
- Spondylolisthesis – slippage of a bone in the lower back.
- Cauda equina syndrome – when nerve roots at the base of the spinal cord are compressed.
- Degenerative disc disease – over time, the discs in the spine can wear down, losing their cushioning ability and causing irritation or compression of nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve.
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Dysfunction or inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis, can also lead to symptoms similar to sciatica.
- Muscle Imbalances or Spasms: Tight or weak muscles in the lower back, buttocks, or legs can contribute to compression of the sciatic nerve or exacerbate existing symptoms.
- Trauma or Injury: Injuries such as falls, car accidents, or sports-related incidents can damage the spine or surrounding tissues, leading to sciatic nerve compression.
Preventing sciatica involves lifestyle modifications and specific exercises. These measures can strengthen your back and reduce the risk of sciatica.
Preventions:
- Maintaining good posture
- Using proper lifting techniques
- Staying active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing
- Practicing stress management
Incorporating specific exercises into your routine can further prevent sciatica. Core strengthening exercises, stretching exercises, and low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling can help strengthen your back without straining your spine.
What Can I Do For Sciatic Pain?
Non-surgical treatments are often the first line of defense for managing sciatica. These include physical therapy, medications, hot and cold therapy, and spinal injections. In severe cases, surgical interventions such as microdiscectomy, laminectomy, or spinal fusion may be necessary.
But don’t fret – by maintaining good posture, exercising regularly, and avoiding prolonged sitting or heavy lifting, you can help reduce the risk of sciatica.
Here are some physical therapy exercises that are proven to help relieve sciatica pain and prevent future episodes. These exercises focus on strengthening the core muscles, improving flexibility, and promoting proper posture.
Recommended exercises include:
- Hamstring stretches
- Piriformis stretches
- Core strengthening exercises
- Low-impact aerobic exercises
If you’re experiencing severe sciatica symptoms, consultation with a healthcare professional or physical therapist is necessary for an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatment
The good news is that most cases of sciatica can be resolved without surgery with the help of our Physical Therapists.
In general, the goal of treatment is to reduce sciatic nerve irritation. In fact, most cases can be resolved through a combination of therapeutic exercises, stretching, and sometimes traction (either manual or mechanical).
Your therapist will educate you on proper stretching and strengthening exercises for the back and hip. They may also perform hands-on, manual therapies to further increase your joint flexibility. The final phase of rehab will involve strengthening during functional activities and education to prevent the injury from recurring.
Did you know – most patients don’t need a referral to be seen by one of our Physical Therapists?
Contact us and be seen at one of our 19 locations across Northern Virginia as soon as today!
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