Sciatica Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Understanding sciatica and how our care plans can help
Have you experienced burning, tingling, or aching pain in your lower extremities? Is the pain affecting only one side of your body? If these symptoms sound familiar, you may have a condition known as sciatica.
Sciatica causes pain that radiates along the sciatica nerve, which runs from the lower back and extends down the legs. The condition can be caused for various reasons, such as a sports injury, a recent accident, or another medical issue.
Sciatica can interfere with the activities you enjoy or even simple tasks. Our treatment plans at Choice Health Centre in Nova Scotia may be able to restore your functions and produce quick results, so you achieve a better quality of life. Our physiotherapists will match you with a treatment plan that is tailored to your condition.
Call us today to request an appointment!
What Exactly Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a medical condition characterized by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the human body. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back and runs through the buttocks and down the back of each leg.
This condition typically occurs when there is irritation of the nerve roots. It can be caused by various factors, including a herniated disc, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
Common Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica pain can vary in intensity and may feel like a sharp, shooting sensation or a dull ache. Common sciatica signs and symptoms include:
- Lower back and leg pain
- Pain that radiates from the buttocks to one (or both legs)
- Muscle weakness, often in the foot or lower leg, in one or both legs
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the area where the sciatic nerve travels
- Sharp or intense pain that becomes worse with movement or prolonged positions
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is typically caused by irritation of the nerve roots as they exit through the lower vertebrae. Several underlying conditions and factors can contribute to the development of sciatica, including:
- Herniated Disc: One of the most common causes of sciatica is a herniated disc. When the gel-like center of a spinal disc protrudes through a tear in the outer layer, it can press against the sciatic nerve, leading to pain and other symptoms.
- Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can exert pressure on the sciatic nerve roots. Spinal stenosis is commonly associated with age-related degenerative changes in the spine.
- Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease: Over time, the discs in the lumbar spine can undergo wear and tear, leading to degeneration. This can result in the development of bone spurs and potential compression of the sciatic nerve.
- Trauma or Injury: Sciatica can also be caused by a direct injury to the lower back or buttocks that affects the sciatic nerve, such as from a fall, accident, or sports-related impact.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, hormonal changes and the growing uterus can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica-like symptoms.
What to Expect During Physical Therapy at Choice Health Centre
During treatment, our specialists will address your pain with specific exercises to restore your range of motion and alleviate your pain and muscle function in the affected areas.
We will begin by assessing your condition with a comprehensive assessment and design a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs. Our care plans help our patients become stronger while working to prevent future episodes.
Some common techniques that we use to treat sciatica include:
- Manual Therapy: This involves hands-on techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, and spinal manipulation to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and restore normal movement in the affected area.
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Physiotherapists prescribe specific stretching and strengthening exercises to target the muscles and structures that may be contributing to sciatic nerve irritation These exercises help improve flexibility, reduce muscle imbalances, and alleviate pressure on the nerve.
- Modalities: Modalities include:
- Heat and Cold Therapy: Applying heat or cold packs to the affected area can help alleviate pain and promote relaxation of the muscles.
- Electrical Stimulation: Electrical stimulation techniques such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may be used to provide pain relief by delivering low-level electrical currents to the affected area, which can help disrupt pain signals.
- Ultrasound Therapy: This involves using ultrasound waves to generate heat deep within the tissues, which can help alleviate pain and promote healing.
- Education: Patient education is another important aspect of treatment, which may include at-home exercises that your physiotherapist recommends to keep up with treatment in between sessions.
Request an Appointment Today.
Sciatica can be a frustrating condition for both your physical and emotional health. The good news is that our Choice Health Centre in Nova Scotia physiotherapists can provide you with support and work to resolve your sciatica pain.
Call us today to learn more and request an appointment!