Friday, August 4, 2023

What Is Sciatica And How To Address It?


What Is Sciatica And 

How To Address It?

Are you suffering from a pain in your leg and lower back that gets more annoying 
when you move, sit or stand for a long time? Is the pain more severe in your leg than your back?
 Keep on reading to know the cause behind your pain!
Herniated Disc and Sciatica pain is usually described with a wide variety of characteristics. 
This pain has the potential to become debilitating over time. It may come and go or stay 
for longer periods, but can be relieved with certain postures, exercises, and/or treatments.
Now, let’s dive deeper into Sciatica symptoms, causes and how to treat Sciatica without surgery.

What is Sciatica and How Does Its 

Pain Feel Like?

Sciatica Is the pain that exists due to the sciatic nerve which is located at the base of the spine 
(lower back), moving through the hips, buttocks and runs along the back of each leg.
If your pain feels like a sharp stab, jolt, or electric shock, it is more likely that you suffer from Sciatica. 
Sciatica pain can be even worse when coughing or sneezing or when you sit or stand 
for long periods of time.
Moreover, Sciatica can cause significant irritation and/or inflammation in your sciatic nerve, 
which leads to numbness in your leg, and an annoying tingling sensation in your leg, calf or foot.
Wondering what are the main causes of Sciatica? Read on to learn more and recognize 
if it is applicable to you.

Common Causes of Sciatica

Research suggests that up to 90% of Sciatica pain is caused by a lumbar herniated disc. A herniated disc may compress the sciatic nerve on one side, causing symptoms in one leg, or the disc may bulge or herniate from both sides, causing symptoms in both legs (bilateral Sciatica).

This is the narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal canal protects the spinal cord and the nerves that run up and down the spine. When this narrowing occurs, nerves can be compressed, causing pain. Because the lumbar vertebrae undergo the most consistent stress and support the most weight.
The last cause is lower back Sciatica. It is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over another one. Spondylolisthesis is not the same as a slipped disc. This is when the tissue between the bones in your spine pushes out.






Risk Factors for Sciatica

You may experience a greater risk for lower back Sciatica if you:

  • Experienced a previous injury
  • Are having age-related changes in the spine, such as herniated disks and bone spurs
  • Have obesity and excess weight
  • Have an a active job that requires carrying heavy items or driving a vehicle for long periods of time
  • Lack proper posture
  • Have diabetes. This affects the way the body uses blood sugar and boosts the risk of nerve damage.
  • Have an inactive lifestyle. Sitting all the time and not exercising prevents your muscles from becoming more flexible
  • Smoke. A new research suggests that daily smokers are 104% more likely than non-smokers to have chronic sciatica pain

Are pregnant and is expecting to give birth within 2-3 months

As per multiple studies, Sciatica most likely occur during the third trimester, when both the mom and the baby are bulking up. As your little one packs on the pounds, you will begin to experience an acute ache down one side of the lower body. However, some moms-to-be can feel pain in both legs.

The good news is you can relieve Sciatica pain during pregnancy! Furthermore, most of the time the pain is temporary and it goes away after birth. Needless to say, Sciatica treatments are now available at Physiowell, one of the best Physiotherapy & Chiropractic health care centers in Dubai.  

Physiotherapy, massage therapy and other Physiowell Treatments can help. If you are pregnant, be sure to check our Pre & Post Pregnancy Care Treatments that help you ease your pain.

How is Sciatica diagnosed?

A comprehensive medical history may help in an accurate, early diagnosis. In that case, doctors will help you perform basic exercises that stretch the sciatic nerve. If you felt a tingling, shooting pain in your leg while performing these exercises, this usually indicates a case of Sciatica.
Sciatica that lasts for more than 2 months may be chronic, and in that case your doctor may request imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to help identify what is irritating the sciatic nerve and causing the pain.

Does Sciatica Pain Occur Suddenly?

Sciatica can come on suddenly or gradually, and this mainly depends on the cause. As discussed earlier, there are a variety of Sciatica causes that might make you feel annoyed or uncomfortable. A disk herniation can cause sudden pain, while Arthritis in the spine develops slowly over time.
If you are seeking Sciatica treatment, it is essential to get an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause, since the treatment of each condition may be different from the other.

Home Remedies For Sciatica Pain Relief

If your pain is fairly mild and isn’t preventing you from practicing your daily activities, your doctor may first recommend trying some combination of these basic solutions.

  • Back stretches for Sciatica. You can help relieve your Sciatica pain with lower-back stretches
  • Bed Rest. Three days off your feet usually does the trick
  • Cold Packs. Try this several times on the first days of experiencing pain
  • Hot Packs. If the cold packs didn’t work, switch the heat packs to relieve Sciatica pain

You might be also asking yourself “Is massage good for Sciatica?” The answer depends on your case. Despite that, you can pay us a visit and some of the best Sciatica specialists in Dubai at Physiowell will suggest the best treatment for you.

It’s always best to see a Sciatica specialist if home remedies don’t work or if you are experiencing severe pain that prevents you from doing your daily routine. Likewise, you might urgently need to check with a doctor if you are experiencing trouble controlling bowels or bladder.
It goes without saying that a detailed, correct diagnosis is the key. Additionally, it has to be done by experienced Sciatica specialists.
But how long does Sciatica take to heal and can Sciatica be treated without surgery? The answer is, most people with Sciatica don’t end up needing surgery, and about half get better within 6 weeks with only rest and medication.
Rest assured, you can still get on your feet with Sciatica pain treatment that is available at Physiowell. In treating Sciatica, a diagnosis is done first, and then treatments are recommended based on your case.

Is There a Possibility to Prevent Sciatica Pain?

It’s not always possible to prevent Sciatica, and the condition can come back. But here are some tips to reduce the possibility of experiencing Sciatica pain:

The answer to the question “Can Physiotherapy help Sciatica?” is definitely a YES! You might need an experienced physio who can work on your muscles, joints, nerves, and/or layers of connective tissue deep below your skin.

The goals of physical therapy and Sciatica exercises in treating the symptoms of Sciatica are to:

  • Restore pain-free movement
  • Relieve Sciatica pain in the lower back, buttock, thigh, and leg
  • Reduce muscle spasm
  • Improve mobility
  • Promote neurological adaptations to reduce the perception of pain
  • Prevent future pain flare-ups and reduce fear associated with movement

You need to exercise on a regular basis to work and strengthen the core & back muscles — which are needed for good posture and alignment
Maintain good posture when sitting. Straighten your back as much as you continuously can. Keep knees and hips on the same level. Additionally, If you have to stand for long periods, rest one foot from time to time.
When lifting something heavy, let your legs do the work. Hold the load close to your body. Don’t twist your back while lifting heavy items

Conclusion

To sum this up, most cases of Sciatica are mild and can be treated using over the counter medication, physical therapy, massage, and other conservative treatments. And the good news is, you can control your pain in the early stages of experiencing Sciatica.
However, if your pain is unbearable or you want to reduce the risk factors and prevent Sciatica from coming back, Physiowell’s Sciatica specialists and professionals can help diagnose and ease your Sciatica pain! Interested? Contact Physiowell and Get Consultation now.

Related Posts

What Is Sciatica And How To Address It?
4/ 5
Oleh

Subscribe via email

Like the post above? Please subscribe to the latest posts directly via email.