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Sciatica
Quick fact
Extremely common
Low difficulty to treat
Did you know?
2% to 40% of people have sciatica at some point in time
source: Wikipedia (link to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciatica)
Location
Preston & Cheltenham
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Sciatica refers to pain caused by the sciatic nerve, which starts at the lower back and runs through the buttock and down the back of each leg. The sensation caused by sciatica can range from mild, sporadic discomfort through to debilitating pain. Sciatica is a type of referred pain, meaning that it is the symptom of another underlying condition, such as a slipped disc or an arthritic disease.
Jurmaine Health can help with nerve entrapment release, Active Release Technique (ART), joint and soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation can be helpful for relieving long-term sciatic pain or discomfort.
Sciatica is referred nerve pain as a result of another condition, which places pressure on or irritates the sciatic nerve. In many cases the pain will go away over the course of several weeks, with the aid of pain killer or anti-inflammatory medication.
For more serious conditions, surgery may be required to treat the underlying cause of the sciatica pain. Sufferers who experience a sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, or accelerating weakness in the legs are urged to seek urgent medical advice.
Causes of sciatica
Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can be a symptom of the following:
- Trauma to the spine
- Herniated disc (slipped disc)
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Cauda equina syndrome (spinal tumour)
- Degenerative disc disease
- Isthmic spondylolisthesis
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Over training
- Muscular imbalance
- Trigger points
- Postural habits
Other symptoms of sciatica
The symptoms of sciatica are generally only felt on one side of the body, although it’s not unheard of for it to be felt on both. These symptoms may include:
- Severe shooting pain down the leg
- Hot pain in the buttock
- Aching in the buttock, hamstring and calf
- Pain in the ankle, foot and toes
- Increased pain when lifting or straining
- Increased pain when coughing
- Lower back pain
- Tingling or prickling sensations
- A ‘pins and needles’ sensation
- Numbness or weakness in the leg
- Pain which worsens when sitting or standing
- Relief when lying down
Top tips for sciatic nerve care
- Get plenty of rest (but not too much, as this can worsen symptoms)
- Focus on improving your posture when sitting and standing
- Visit your chemist and find out what over-the-counter medications are available
- Ensure you’re sleeping on a high-quality mattress
- Take warm baths to soothe and ease pain
- Practice gentle back exercises
- Invest in ergonomic furniture with lumbar support
Effective treatment of sciatica
For chronic sciatic nerve pain, your doctor may recommend treatments such as chemonucleolysis (injecting an enzyme into the vertebral disc) or epidural injections. Prescription pain-relief or anti-inflammatory medications may also help ease the symptoms of sciatica.
Alternatively, physical therapies such as nerve entrapment release, Active Release Technique (ART), joint and soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation may also help sufferers of sciatica.
At Jurmaine Health, our aim is to get you well and help you manage your condition. Treatment of sciatica generally includes assessment, treatments and stretching and strengthening exercises.
Sciatica
Sciatica refers to pain caused by the sciatic nerve, which starts at the lower back and runs through the buttock and down the back of each leg. The sensation caused by sciatica can range from mild, sporadic discomfort through to debilitating pain. Sciatica is a type of referred pain, meaning that it is the symptom of another underlying condition, such as a slipped disc or an arthritic disease.
Jurmaine Health can help with nerve entrapment release, Active Release Technique (ART), joint and soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation can be helpful for relieving long-term sciatic pain or discomfort.
Sciatica is referred nerve pain as a result of another condition, which places pressure on or irritates the sciatic nerve. In many cases the pain will go away over the course of several weeks, with the aid of pain killer or anti-inflammatory medication.
For more serious conditions, surgery may be required to treat the underlying cause of the sciatica pain. Sufferers who experience a sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, or accelerating weakness in the legs are urged to seek urgent medical advice.
Causes of sciatica
Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can be a symptom of the following:
- Trauma to the spine
- Herniated disc (slipped disc)
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Cauda equina syndrome (spinal tumour)
- Degenerative disc disease
- Isthmic spondylolisthesis
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Over training
- Muscular imbalance
- Trigger points
- Postural habits
Other symptoms of sciatica
The symptoms of sciatica are generally only felt on one side of the body, although it’s not unheard of for it to be felt on both. These symptoms may include:
- Severe shooting pain down the leg
- Hot pain in the buttock
- Aching in the buttock, hamstring and calf
- Pain in the ankle, foot and toes
- Increased pain when lifting or straining
- Increased pain when coughing
- Lower back pain
- Tingling or prickling sensations
- A ‘pins and needles’ sensation
- Numbness or weakness in the leg
- Pain which worsens when sitting or standing
- Relief when lying down
Top tips for sciatic nerve care
- Get plenty of rest (but not too much, as this can worsen symptoms)
- Focus on improving your posture when sitting and standing
- Visit your chemist and find out what over-the-counter medications are available
- Ensure you’re sleeping on a high-quality mattress
- Take warm baths to soothe and ease pain
- Practice gentle back exercises
- Invest in ergonomic furniture with lumbar support
Effective treatment of sciatica
For chronic sciatic nerve pain, your doctor may recommend treatments such as chemonucleolysis (injecting an enzyme into the vertebral disc) or epidural injections. Prescription pain-relief or anti-inflammatory medications may also help ease the symptoms of sciatica.
Alternatively, physical therapies such as nerve entrapment release, Active Release Technique (ART), joint and soft tissue mobilisation and manipulation may also help sufferers of sciatica.
At Jurmaine Health, our aim is to get you well and help you manage your condition. Treatment of sciatica generally includes assessment, treatments and stretching and strengthening exercises.
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