Many people who complain about lower back pain that travels down the legs suffer from a condition called sciatica pain. While acute sciatica pain can be relieved within 1-2 months, ignoring the condition for a long time may result in flare-ups that worsen with time, interfering with simple daily activities like walking, standing and sleeping. Therefore, a better understanding about the condition is needed. Our expert Dr Garima Anandani, chief spine consultant, Qi Spine Clinic discusses the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of sciatic pain.
Sciatica is a condition resulting in back pain due to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body running from the back of your pelvis, through your buttocks, and all the way down both legs, ending at your feet. Compression of the sciatic nerve can cause pain that radiates out from your lower back and travels down your leg to your calf. Sciatic pain can range from being mild to very painful.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of back pain.
Sedentary lifestyle is one of the major reasons people suffer from sciatica pain. People who have to perform work involving frequent bending and twisting, lifting heavy weights are more likely to suffer from the condition. Being overweight is also a risk factor. It can put extra strain and pressure on your back, leading to sciatica.
Sciatica is different from general back pain. Sciatica pain hardly affects the entire back. It radiates from the lower back, down to the buttocks and into one or both of the legs, right down to the calf. Some patients even complain about shooting pain while sneezing, coughing or laughing, standing or sitting for a long period of time and while bending backwards.
Patients who have long period of numbness in their bottom, lower back and leg or those who experience loss of bladder or bowel control and often feel weakness in their leg and foot must visit a doctor immediately.
Leading causes of chronic sciatica include disc prolapse, disc herniation, piriformis syndrome and muscle weakness. Primary diagnosis is usually done by a general practitioner based on physical examination. Depending on your symptoms, your GP may find it necessary for you to undergo further tests, which may include a blood test to rule out infections, imaging tests such as X-ray or CT scan or MRI scan.
In India, patients can now benefit from Digital Spine Analysis Test. It is a non-invasive functional test of back musculature and helps to measure strength, mobility and alignment. 21 different parameters can be plotted using the test which helps spine consultants to accurately understand the root cause of the condition.
In the early stages, doctors advise the patients to be physically active as much possible. While bed rest may provide some temporary pain relief, prolonged bed rest may be unnecessary. Walking and gentle stretching exercises may also be advised as part of treatment. Many people find that using either hot or cold compression packs helps to reduce pain.
Treating persistent or advance stage sciatica usually requires a combination of self-help techniques and medical treatment. Treatment options include painkillers in injectable format or epidural steroid injection and physiotherapy.
Medication: For early stage chronic sciatica doctors prescribe painkillers, either paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Exercise: Regular exercise will help to strengthen the muscles that support your back. Exercise also stimulates the production of endorphins, which are natural painkilling chemicals.
Surgery: Surgery may be an option to treat cases of chronic sciatica when, there is an identifiable cause, such as a slipped or herniated disc or if the symptoms are getting progressively worse. Surgical options may range from discectomy or fusion surgery or laminectomy or a combination of these. Before opting for spinal surgery, the orthopedic surgeon will discuss the relative risks and benefits with the patients.
Advances in treatment: A modern approach to treatment is using a combination of Digital Spine Analysis (DSA) test and treatment program practiced at Qi Spine Clinic. The treatment involves effective usage of evidence based techniques combined with the DSA treatment protocols to strengthen effected musculature, thereby delivering faster and lasting treatment.
Complications of sciatica could lead to partial immobility of the leg and partial or complete loss of feeling (sensation) in the effected leg. It could lead to severe functional disabilities like limitation in sitting, standing, walking and sleeping.
Although it is not always possible to prevent sciatica, there are several things you can do to prevent a slipped disc or other back injuries that could lead to sciatica. Here are some general precautions that you should take:
If your back pain during pregnancy is getting severe or disturbing, please get yourself evaluated by a gynaecologist before making a diagnosis of sciatica or taking any treatment for it.
One of the primary causes of sciatica is a herniated disc, where the soft inner material of a spinal disc leaks out and irritates the nearby nerve roots, says a doctor.
Sciatica pain is unnerving, but you can deal with it by performing some simple yet effective exercises. Here are a few that can offer quick relief.
Sciatica is a common fallout of an unhealthy lifestyle and long sitting hours. But you can try forming a few good habits that will provide relief.
Do you have an ache that radiates from your back to your legs? It may be sciatica and your long sitting hours may have something to do with it.
Sitting for extended periods can be as dangerous as smoking as far as your health is concerned. It can put you at risk of serious health disorders.
PhotosPain in the legs can be an excruciating condition that can cause physical disability. Read on to know what causes them and how to deal with it.
Yoga can be therapeutic for patients suffering from sciatica, a leg pain caused when your sciatic nerve is pinched. Try poses like Bhujangasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana, etc. under the guidance of a yoga trainer to fight out this pain.
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Have you been ignoring lower back pain for a long time? You might be suffering from sciatica pain
If your back pain during pregnancy is getting severe or disturbing, please get yourself evaluated by a gynaecologist before making a diagnosis of sciatica or taking any treatment for it.
One of the primary causes of sciatica is a herniated disc, where the soft inner material of a spinal disc leaks out and irritates the nearby nerve roots, says a doctor.
Sciatica pain is unnerving, but you can deal with it by performing some simple yet effective exercises. Here are a few that can offer quick relief.
Sciatica is a common fallout of an unhealthy lifestyle and long sitting hours. But you can try forming a few good habits that will provide relief.
Do you have an ache that radiates from your back to your legs? It may be sciatica and your long sitting hours may have something to do with it.
Sitting for extended periods can be as dangerous as smoking as far as your health is concerned. It can put you at risk of serious health disorders.
Yoga can be therapeutic for patients suffering from sciatica, a leg pain caused when your sciatic nerve is pinched. Try poses like Bhujangasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana, etc. under the guidance of a yoga trainer to fight out this pain.
How alternative therapy, such as homeopathy and Ayurveda, can help you deal with sciatica.
How to deal with sciatica
Get some relief from the debilitating pain caused by sciatica with the help of regular acupuncture sessions. Here's how it can help.
Sciatica is a common debilitating medical condition and these are the symptoms and risk factors you should look out for.
Suffer from chronic pain in the legs?
Here is what happens to you on the sixth month of your pregnancy
Your back pain could be a symptom of much more than fatigue. I expert tells you why.
Wondering why you have a back pain? Here are 10 reasons you probably didn't know about.
Can I lift weights and exercise with sciatica (lower back pain)?
Troubled by chronic backaches? Here's help!
How physiotherapy can help through pregnancy and after
Have you been ignoring lower back pain for a long time? You might be suffering from sciatica pain
