What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the term used to describe pain in the buttocks, legs and/or feet. It is a result of there being compression or irritation of the Sciatic Nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and runs from the lower back and buttock to the feet. Sciatica symptoms and the duration of symptoms vary for each individual as it is dependent on its cause. Sciatica may also be referred to as a trapped nerve in the hip or leg.
What causes Sciatica?
The main cause of sciatica is due to damage to the intervertebral disc in the lumbar (lower back)
33 spinal bones known as vertebrae are stacked on top of each other forming the spine. Nerves run through the whole length of the spine. Intervertebral discs are found in between each vertebrae acting as a cushion, along with muscles and ligaments, providing stability and holding 24 of the 33 vertebrae together.
Sometimes a person can injure or strain their discs causing part of the gel filled nucleus to herniate out of the fibrous outer casing. This is known as a herniated disc, prolapsed disc or a slipped disc. When the disc herniation occurs in the lumbar, it may compress onto the sciatic nerve causing symptoms into the buttock, thigh, leg and/ or foot.
What are the symptoms of Sciatica?
Symptoms of sciatica vary between each individual, this is due to there being many different causes of sciatica pain. Sciatic symptoms may come and go, or they may be constant for a prolonged period.
Pain
Commonly sciatic pain is described as a burning, shooting or stabbing type pain that can occur in the thigh, leg and/or foot. It can be constant or intermittent and can vary. Activities such as bending forward may aggravate the pain.
The location of pain depends on which part of the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated. The back of the thigh and leg are commonly affected. Other areas of the lower extremity that can be affected by sciatic pain are:
The front of the thigh or leg
The sole of the foot
The web in between the first and second toes
Altered Sensation
Tingling such as a pins and needles type feeling, and numbness are commonly felt in the back of the leg.
Weakness
Weakness in the leg and foot is a common symptom. This may cause a feeling of heaviness in the leg or foot making walking or lifting your foot off the ground feel difficult.
Sometimes sciatica is accompanied with lower back pain, however, usually the buttock or leg pain is much worse than the lower back pain. You probably do not have sciatica if you just have low back pain. Usually these symptoms occur in one leg.
Can Sciatica be Prevented?
Not all causes of sciatica can be prevented. However, you can take steps to reduce your risk and protect your lower back from any further injury.
Below are a couple of hints and tips towards protecting your lower back from further injury:
Exercise
Having good strength in your spinal and abdominal muscles are key in providing stability to your spine. Exercises classes such as Pilates and Yoga are a great way of improving your spinal and abdominal strength and stability.
Lifting Techniques
Ensuring that you have a good lifting technique is essential in reducing the risk of injuring your back.
Bend from your hips and knees, not from your back, and squat down to the object you are picking up.
Keep the object close to your body and engage your abdominal muscles when straightening your legs to lift the object up.
Avoid twisting or turning your back when you are lifting the object.
Never lift a heavy object above the height of your shoulders.
Posture
Ensure that you have good posture when standing and sitting. Poor posture can lead to increased pressure onto the joints, ligaments and muscles of the back.
*Disclaimer
Our therapists provide injury treatment, advice, prevention, and rehabilitation exercises through sports massage, deep tissue massage, exercise programming and physiotherapy.
We provide educational content for informational purposes only. Aways seek a medical professionals care and advice regarding injuries.