Is your back pain sciatica?

By Kaniza Garari

Experts say five to 10 per cent of people having lower back pain suffer from sciatica
Driving for prolonged periods of time, over-exercising, lifting and bending or twisting suddenly can strain the sciatic nerve which results in lower back pain and also pain in the back of legs.
Five to 10 per cent of people having lower back pain suffer from sciatica. It is mostly seen in people in the age group of 18 to 35 years. The prevalence of sciatic symptoms varies considerably ranging from 1.6 per cent in the general population to 43 per cent in a selected working population.
Unfortunately, 30 per cent of patients approach specialists only after suffering for a year or more. In 90 per cent of the cases, sciatica is caused by a herniated disc involving nerve root compression.
Bed rest is the key
Not all patients suffering from lower back pain have sciatica. Lower back pain could be due to various reasons, more often it’s mechanical back pain that is commonly seen in sedentary workers with poor posture and not following ergonomics.
Causes of sciatica are spondylolisthesis, trauma, piriformis syndrome, spinal tumours and obesity. Dr Sunil Dachepalli, senior orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon and sports medicine expert at Yashoda Hospitals said, “Sciatica can be debilitating at times when the episode is acute. At that time, it is very difficult to carry out day-to-day activities. Some patients are advised bed rest for three to four weeks so that their condition improves. Majority of the symptoms settle down with non-operative management, which involves extensive rest.”
Long-distance drivers at high risk
Long-distance drivers are at high risk of developing sciatica because of the constant jerks on bumpy roads weakening their discs. Good roads can prevent this. Height of the individual also matters as most of these discs rupture backwards when the person bends forwards. Taller people have to bend more and also when they bend their centre of gravity moves further away (forwards) from the spine.
The pressure on the spine is multiplied by the distance of the force, so there’s more pressure on discs in taller people when they bend.
Dr K. Sudhir Reddy, senior orthopaedic surgeon at Land-mark Hospitals said, “The main thing to be distinguished is whether the pain is coming from rupture of the disc or from the nerve root, the second condition is called sciatica. In sciatica, as long as there is no neurological deficit (leg or foot weakness or numbness or pins and needles), patients are given conservation treatment, which is medication, physiotherapy and precautions.”
Diagnosing emergence of pain is important
It is very important to diagnose the problem as to where the pain is emerging from. Dr N. Somasekhar Reddy, senior consultant orthopedic surgeon said, “When the pain is due to a common back problem, it requires simple medication and protection of the back with a corset. This helps to keep the back fit. Physiotherapy and exercise regime also helps. In 80 per cent of the cases where patients come on time, it is found that these simple remedies help them to get better with time.”
Symptoms of sciatica
Sharp pain along with numbness in the leg. The affected leg feels weak and also becomes thinner than the other leg.
A mild tingling, dull ache or burning sensation. The sensation is also felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot.
The pain worsens when one lies down, or wakes one up at night.
An episode of back pain that has lasted continuously for more than four weeks.
Redness and swelling on the back or spine.
Remedies for Sciatica Use alternate cold and hot packs to reduce swelling.
Stand up straight with your ears aligned with your shoulders, shoulders aligned with your hips and your buttocks tucked in. Knees should be bent slightly.
Regular exercise imp-roves flexibility, helps prevent age-related degenerative changes.
Always lift objects from a squatting position, using your hips, legs to do the heavy work. Never bend and lift with a straight back.
Avoid sitting or standing for extended periods. Take regular breaks to stand and walk around. If you must be on your feet, prop one foot on a small block or footrest, and then switch feet throughout the day.
Use proper sleeping posture. Take pressure off your back by sleeping on your side or on your back with a pillow under your knees.
Avoid wearing high heels.
Strengthen back muscles regularly. Lay face down and clasp your hands behind the lower back, then raise the head and chest slightly against gravity while looking at the floor. In the above position with the head and chest lowered to the floor, lightly raise an arm and opposite leg slowly, with the knee locked 2-3 inches from the floor.
Walk or swim.

http://www.asianage.com/health-fitness/your-back-pain-sciatica-332

What is sciatica and who is at risk?

By Anuradha Varanasi

Sciatica is a common debilitating medical condition and these are the symptoms and risk factors you should look out for.
Sciatica is an excruciatingly painful medical condition that causes pain from the patient’s lower back to the back of the legs. The severe leg pain is caused by a nerve that gets pinched in the lower back and is known as the sciatic nerve. The leg pain can be a lot more intense than back pain that patients experience and this condition can have a debilitating effect on one’s life.
Nearly 30% of sciatica patients have persisting symptoms that can last for up to two years and require bed rest for six to eight weeks to recover. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc which occurs when a disc tears or cracks into the patient’s spinal canal. Studies have found that a herniated disc is the cause of 90% of sciatica cases.

What are the risk factors of sciatica?
It is estimated that 5%-10% of patients with lower back pain also suffer from sciatica. Studies have found that these are the possible risk factors for sciatica:
1. If you are in the age group of 45-64 years.
2. Smoking.
3. Over-exercising or continuous and strenuous physical activity that includes lifting heavy items while bending and twisting. Physiotherapists say these are the exercising options for sciatica patients.
4. Driving for prolonged periods of time can lead to sciatica especially if you have to drive on uneven and pothole-ridden roads.
5. Being over-weight.
6. Your height could also put you at the risk of sciatica or lower back pain. It was found that men and women taller than 175 cm and 170 cm respectively were more prone to lower back pains and sciatica.
7. A sedentary lifestyle that involves sitting in one place for prolonged periods of time.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
The most common signs of sciatica you should watch out for are:
1. Shooting pain from your butt to the back of one leg which is greater than lower back pains. These are the causes of chronic pain in the legs.
2. Experiencing additional pain in your foot or toes.
3. Numbness, along with an abnormal tingling or pin and needles sensation in the affected leg. You can experience this symptom while finding it difficult to move your leg or foot.
4. Other than your butt and leg, you also experience pain around your hips. These are the causes of numbness and tingling sensation.
5. Coughing, sneezing or even trying to laugh causes pain.

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/what-is-sciatica-and-who-is-at-risk-v0616/

Sciatic nerve is a pain in your butt

By Dr Colin Gage

In March of this year, my article discussed one of the more common causes of dull/achy pain at the hip and buttock (called piriformis syndrome).

“Piriformis syndrome” is caused by pinching or compression of the sciatic nerve as it exits the back of the pelvis, deep within the buttock. The sciatic nerve typically exits the back of the pelvis immediately adjacent to a muscle, called the piriformis muscle, deep within the buttock.

For various reasons, the piriformis muscle can go into spasm and pinch the sciatic nerve. This will result in pain along the back of the thigh and knee, with further pain and/or numbness extending to the calf and as far down as the sole of the foot. These symptoms are commonly called “sciatica.”

Once an accurate diagnosis of “piriformis syndrome” is made by your chiropractor, the first step is to alleviate the spasm of the muscles (piriformis muscle) deep in the buttock region. This can be done by using specific deep pressure or massage of the muscle itself.

To do this correctly, you must have a good knowledge of the anatomy of the region. In my office, I also use a mild electrical stimulation modality called “interferential current” to assist further in loosening the tight muscles.

Of equal importance is how well the hip, low back, and pelvic joints are functioning. If there is a restricted range of motion or mobility of any of these joints, the adjacent muscles will have to compensate by working harder as you do your daily activities. This causes chronic muscle spasm and fatigue of the hip and low back muscles, eventually leading to the problem we are discussing.

The most successful and safest way to restore the movement or range of motion to the joints I have described is through chiropractic manipulation.

Depending on the size and age of the person, it can be done very gently or even firmly if necessary. To loosen the muscles, such as the piriformis muscle, I use “trigger point therapy” (deep pressure to release the muscle tension) and have the person perform specific stretches at home.

When the muscle spasm is relieved and the joints are functioning normally, your body is then able to heal itself. Incorporating regular moderate exercise in your daily activities will also help speed along your recovery by keeping the muscles loose and the joints mobile. As I have stated before, only your body can heal itself and health care practitioners should be there to only help it along.  

Finally, if there are activities that your are doing at home or at work that are you think may be aggravating the hip or buttock, discuss with your chiropractor how these things can be changed so they have less of a negative effect.

Dr. Colin Gage was born and raised in Merritt. He’s been helping patients from his clinic at Nicola Valley Chiropractic since 1996.

 

http://www.merrittherald.com/gage-sciatic-nerve-is-a-pain-in-your-butt/