Your Starting Point for a Sciatica-Free Future
Sciatica
Most of us will know someone who’s had it. Or maybe you’re suffering from it yourself.
Anyone who’s been affected by sciatic nerve pain will attest to the frustrating nature of the condition. At times you could be pain free, only for shooting discomfort to run up the back of your leg moments later. It’s an agitating condition that makes it hard to do everyday things that most of us take for granted – like standing, sitting or walking the dog.
Through this blog we’ll look to pinpoint exactly what sciatic nerve pain is, debunk some of the misinformation surrounding the condition, and provide those affected with a positive outlook about how to treat their symptoms.
First thing’s first, what is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain in the buttock or leg, caused by pressure on the nerves in the lower back. It’s important to note that sciatica is not a medical diagnosis itself – it’s a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
For a lot of sciatica sufferers, prolapsed or damaged discs tend to bulge and press on the intervertebral nerves. This pressure irritates the nerve, causing referred pain.
Sciatica nerve pain is often characterised by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain in the buttock or down the leg
- Numbness
- Muscular weakness
- Pins and needles or tingling
- Difficulty moving or controlling the leg
- Pain that’s worse when sitting
- A sharp pain that may make it difficult to walk or stand up
Sciatica pain can vary from infrequent and irritating, to constant and incapacitating. Specific sciatica symptoms can differ in location and severity, depending on the condition causing the sciatica.
Treating Sciatica
As the cause of sciatica varies from person to person, the most important first step is to find the underlying root of your problem.
At Total Balance Healthcare, we’ll conduct a full musculoskeletal and orthopaedic examination to find the true cause of your sciatica. This allows us to tailor a treatment plan that not only targets your specific symptoms, but also the related muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons that may be putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Whether you require osteopathy, medication or alternative therapies, we’ll help you formulate a plan that puts you on the front foot.
Tips for Managing Sciatica
We encourage sciatica sufferers to be proactive about their symptoms. In fact, recent Australian studies have found that bed rest offers no improvement and may even exacerbate the condition.
In many cases, sciatica can be resolved quickly with the appropriate management and self-care. For example, you can engage in low-impact exercises like swimming and Pilates. Sit and stand with good posture. And use ergonomic furniture like chairs with proper lumbar support.
But of course, a chat with one of our experienced therapists is always a good place to start.
Until next time,
Total Balance Healthcare
