Winter is here, and you will feel like the cold is seeping in your bones, worsening your back pain and sciatica. Read on to know more about the essential tips to manage these conditions during those chilly days
Even younger population are suffering from sciatica due to improper posture, prolonged sitting and work from home, disc problems
Everything you need to know about sciatica during winter
Sciatica can be described as a type of radiculopathy caused owing to the compression of one or more of the five sets of nerve roots in one’s lower back (the lumbar region of your spine). These nerves tend to run from the lower spine down under your buttock and then down through each hip into your legs. Several conditions can be responsible for compressing these nerves at one or more spots causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower back, buttock(s), or leg(s) on one or both sides. This condition is commonly seen in elderly people who do manual work or lift heavy objects, leading to degenerative changes in spine. Nowadays, sciatica is seen even in the younger population due to improper posture, prolonged sitting and work from home, disc problems.
How to tackle sciatica
Youngsters must opt for core strengthening exercises that will strengthen their lower back.
Visit an orthopaedic or a spine specialist, if the pain doesn’t go away with medication, lifestyle changes and regular exercise. You may require to undergo certain radiological investigation such X-ray, MRI, CT Scan, spinal injection if the pain hampers your daily activities, if there is a tingling sensation, numbness, loss of bladder control or you are unable to walk significantly smaller distance . A keyhole or Stitchless Spine surgery in daycare setup can be helpful in reducing compression at pinched nerve roots, inflammation. Lifestyle changes, posture correction and regular exercises plays an important role in recuperating from back pain.
(This article is written by Dr Om Patil, Consultant Spine Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Mumbai.)
Nerve pain may result from a pinched nerve or a chronic condition, such as diabetes
Any foot pain can have a significant impact on daily life, and untreated nerve pain may keep a person from enjoying or accomplishing their regular activities.
Below, learn what nerve pain in the foot feels like, what can cause it, and what treatments are available.
The following health issues can lead to nerve pain in one or both feet.
Baxter’s neuropathy
Baxter’s neuropathy is a form of nerve entrapment. It results from the compression of the inferior calcaneal nerve, which sits just under the base of the foot’s arch.
Risk factors include:
plantar fasciitis — inflammation of the plantar fascia, the part of the feet that connects the heel bone to the toes
obesity
bone spurs
flat feet, or fallen arches
Morton’s neuroma
Morton’s neuroma involves thickened tissues compressing nerves between the toes.
A person may experience pain on the bottom of the foot that worsens when walking, particularly in tight high heels. The pain may fade during rest or after removing the shoes.
The pain may be burning, stabbing, or tingling, or it may feel like an electric shock. It may extend to the back of the foot or leg, causing cramping. Some people also experience numbness between their toes.
Common causes of Morton’s neuroma include:
wearing narrow shoes
wearing high heels
inflammation of the joints
thickening of foot ligaments
injury to the front of the feet, such as from high-impact sports or jogging
lipomas — lumps beneath the skin that contain an overgrowth of fat cells
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome causes pain in the feet and legs due to compression of the posterior tibial nerve, which runs down the back of the lower leg, or the plantar nerves in the feet.
Researchers currently do not know how common this condition is, as doctors often underdiagnose it. However, it appears to be more common in females.
Symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include:
sharp, shooting pain in the inner ankle and along the foot
numbness on the underside of the foot
pain when flexing and moving the foot
a tingling or burning sensation
The symptoms may worsen at night, while walking or standing, or after physical activity. The pain often lessens after resting.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome may result from:
wearing poorly fitting shoes
injuring the feet or legs
developing postsurgical scarring
having varicose veins
having a ganglion cyst
having lipomas
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term for numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the toes, feet, fingers, hands, or a combination of these areas. The symptoms may worsen at night.
Also, peripheral neuropathy can cause nonspecific symptoms that make it difficult to move the feet and do basic activities.
Researchers do not fully understand why certain people develop peripheral neuropathy while others do not.
However, they have identified conditions that increase the chances of developing peripheral neuropathy. These health issues include:
infections
a deficiency of a nutrient, such as B12
alcohol use disorder
diabetes
certain hereditary conditions, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which causes a loss of muscle tissue
Guillian-Barré syndrome, a condition that causes rapid muscle weakness
Diabetic neuropathy
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause nerve pain in the toes and feet. Diabetic neuropathy affects more than 90% of people with diabetes.
Typically, the nerve pain first affects the toes and surrounding areas, and it may then slowly spread to the rest of the feet and up the legs.
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:
tingling, burning, sharp, or shooting pain in the toes or feet
the sensation of an electric shock in these areas
pain that usually worsens at night, causing sleep disturbances
pain when touching the skin
Researchers remain unsure of the exact causes. Some theories point to changes in the blood vessels, the metabolism, the immune system, or the body’s sodium and calcium channels.
Several factors increase the chances of people with diabetes developing neuropathy:
advancing age
having diabetes for a longer period
consuming alcohol
using tobacco products
Sciatica
Sciatica happens when something damages or compresses the sciatic nerve, the longest and widest nerve in the body. It extends from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the legs, ending just beneath the knee.
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated, or bulging, disk in the spine.
While sciatica tends to affect the back, hips, and upper legs first, the pain can spread down the legs into the feet and toes.
The following approaches can help relieve nerve pain in the feet.
Home care strategies
A person may benefit from:
using hot or cold packs
resting
taking over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen (Advil)
massaging the feet
wearing a splint for support
Also, try to avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
Some people find that wearing wide, soft-soled, laced shoes with low heels helps relieve pressure on the feet and nerves.
However, for some people with nerve pain, a firm sole may be more beneficial than a soft sole.
Medical treatments
The best approach depends on the cause of the nerve pain.
To treat peripheral or diabetic neuropathy, doctors may prescribe:
medication for pain relief
antidepressants
anticonvulsants
In some situations, a doctor may recommend deep tissue massages and corticosteroid injections to help manage symptoms, especially if the cause is sciatica.
If sciatica results from a hernia, abscess, or tumour, a doctor often refers the person for surgery.
Doctors may also recommend physical therapy, as stretching and strengthening the legs and feet can help manage symptoms, including pain.
Surgery may also benefit people with nerve pain caused by issues other than sciatica. For example, if a person has tarsal tunnel syndrome, treatment may involve surgery to release a nerve. This has a success rate of up to 96%.
First, the doctor takes a history and examines the painful area. They may also request imaging, such as an ultrasound or an MRI.
If they suspect specific conditions, such as peripheral or diabetic neuropathy, the doctor may request participation in a nerve conduction study or blood and other samples for lab tests.
Nerve pain in the foot tends to result from a compressed nerve or diabetes. A range of health issues may be at play, and they tend to cause similar symptoms.
For this reason, receiving a diagnosis is key. It is especially important to contact a doctor if the pain is worsening or home care techniques cannot ease it.
The doctor will work with the person to develop an effective treatment plan. When necessary, surgery tends to have a high success rate.
but not all pain in the back of the hip or thigh is sciatica.
Pain in the back of the hip and thigh can be one of many different diagnoses. Some more common issues that can be the cause are sciatica, hamstring strains, and tendinopathies. This article will discuss some of the different presentations of diagnoses that could be related to pain in the posterior hip or thigh.
Sciatica can be experienced with pain, numbness, or tingling down the back of the thigh and into the leg and foot. Pain usually ranges from mild to moderate intensities. Sciatica results from compression of the sciatic nerve of the nerve roots that come together to form the sciatic nerve. People are often able to walk and jog without any limitations. Individuals often do not have any decrease in their strength and may have a small decrease in their flexibility when compared to their non-involved side.
Hamstring strains often occur very quickly when performing high-speed activities like sprinting or lifting a very heavy object. After a hamstring strain, bruising can be present and accumulate around the site of injury. The pain is usually intense immediately after injury and has a slow decrease as the injury heals. A significant decrease in strength, difficulty with walking and being unable to run are common clinical signs.
Tendinopathy refers to a breakdown of the part that connects the muscle to the bone. These gradually develop over time and start with dull aches and low pain levels. There is not usually a loss of motion but there may be a loss of strength when dealing with tendinopathy. There is usually some tenderness with palpation over the involved tendon. Symptoms may be non-existent early in the day but as the day progresses the symptoms slowly increase with more activity.
These are three common injuries that are associated with pain in the back of the hip or thigh. This is not a comprehensive list and you should reach out to your physical therapist to help you make the correct diagnosis. This will help speed up your recovery and get you back to doing things that matter to you most sooner.
Back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint in the United States. More than 90% of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, according to the American Medical Association.
“Unfortunately, low back pain is a by-product of industrialized nations and aging. We have become much more sedentary and consume more high fat and high calorie meals than our predecessors leading to weight gain, which puts undue pressure on the skeleton and spine,” Dr. Kern Singh, M.D., a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Centre, tells Newsmax. “The active lifestyle of our ancestors has given way to modern technology and conveniences leading to obesity, a weakened musculoskeletal system, and increased rates of spinal disc degeneration. All of these changes culminate in an increased rate of low back pain in the American population.”
(Dreamstime)
While some causes of back pain are obvious — such as a sports injury or an accident — there are other more subtle causes that may be contributing to your aching back, as well. Here are some examples.
Wallets. According to Health Central, sciatica, a sharp radiating pain that runs down the buttocks, can be caused by sitting on an overstuffed wallet.
Your lifting form. Any activity that requires heavy lifting, particularly in a bent over and flexed position, can lead to a lower back injury. Even with proper form, the spinal discs are loaded with forces five times your body weight, which may result in disc herniations and low back pain. When you pick up an object from the floor, make sure you squat, keeping your spine straight, and use your powerful leg muscles to assist, says Singh.
Your posture at work. Slouching or hunching over a desk puts compression on the spinal discs. That is why your back hurts after a long plane or car ride. You may want to try a standing desk, says Singh, or take frequent breaks during the day by standing, stretching, and walking around.
Your mattress. “While there is limited evidence to suggest a particular mattress is better than another, I often recommend choosing a mattress that is comfortable — either soft or firm — that allows you to get a good night’s sleep,” says Singh. Disrupted sleep can aggravate lower back issues.
Cell phones. Americans use over two trillion minutes of wireless communication each year. Most of us arch our necks to talk on the phone, which puts our spines in an awkward position that can lead to back pain over time, according to Health Central.
Your wardrobe. Proper footwear at work is especially important for those who must stand for long periods of time. Singh prefers comfortable hard-soled shoes to reduce the force transmitted to the lower back. Dr. Kaliq Chang, M.D., an interventional pain management specialist at the Atlantic Spine Centre in New Jersey and New York, says that carrying a heavy bag or wearing an unsupportive bra can result in low back pain.
Your exercise habits. Back pain is more common among people who are inactive. “You want to build strength in the muscles that surround the spine to stabilize it and prevent injuries from happening,” says Chang. Singh recommends core stabilization exercises such as yoga and Pilates to reduce your risk of lower back injuries.
Your weight. “Being overweight increases your risk of developing chronic back pain because of the excessive pressure on the spine,” says Chang.
Sciatica is also known as Lumba Sacral Radicular Syndrome. There is a sciatic vein, starting from the lower part of the lumbar or spinal cord and up to the end of the thigh. Sciatica pain arises due to difficulty in this vein. Often pregnant women also complain of sciatica pain. This pain is sharp and stinging. If you also have sciatica pain in pregnancy, then
Sciatica Lumbar spine problem ie bulging or herniated disc causes sciatica pain. This pain may also arise due to bone changes such as spinal contractions or stenosis, osteoarthritis, or degenerative disc disease or any other spinal problem. There is pressure on the sciatica vein, after which the symptoms of sciatica begin to appear.
In pregnancy, sciatica pain due to a herniated disc is not common, but sciatica symptoms may occur due to back pain in pregnancy. About 50 to 80 percent of women have back pain.
Symptoms of sciatica can also come due to muscle tension and joint instability. Pelvic bone pain, difficulty in the sacroiliac joint due to difficulty in any muscle of the litter, may cause sciatica to the pregnant woman. It is a common cause of sciatica in pregnancy.
This is due to the increase of pregnancy hormone called relaxin which causes the ligaments, the structures connecting the bones to loosen or be pulled.
The weight of the baby may also cause pressure on the axes and pelvic area. Sometimes, the position of the baby also creates pressure on the sciatica.
A pregnant woman may experience the following symptoms of sciatica:
Occasional or persistent pain on one side of the ax or leg.
In the path of the sciatic nerve, from the axes to the back of the thigh and leg pain.
Feeling sharp, stinging and burning pain.
Feeling of weakness, numbness or stinging needles in the affected leg or leg.
Difficulty walking, standing, or sitting.
Sciatica treatment You can get rid of sciatica pain with the help of massage and some exercises. If there is still no reduction in this pain, then the doctor can block the vein to reduce steroid injection or pain.
Although doctors can also recommend surgery for sciatica, but it is not good for pregnancy. If pain is not going on even after delivery, you can talk to the doctor about treatment options.
If you talk about avoiding sciatica pain in pregnancy, then tell you that there is no way to prevent it, but by taking care of some things, you can avoid this problem. Do not sit in the same position for too long and avoid sitting for too long. If possible, keep your weight in control as well.
Back pain can be avoided with the help of regular stretching and exercise. Avoid carrying any heavy goods in pregnancy.
In most cases, the sciatica nerve pain goes away on its own with adequate time and rest. If the pain is unbearable for you, there are many natural therapies that can help reduce the inflammation and pain
Sciatica nerve pain is often misunderstood as general back pain. However, sciatica pain is not just limited to the back. The sciatic nerve extends from the lower back till the soles of the feet. Therefore, sciatica nerve pain usually extends from the lower back to the rear of the thigh and down through the leg to the tip of the big toes. The severity and symptoms of sciatica may vary from person to person. In some people, the pain may be aggravated by sitting for long periods. In severe cases, the patient may not be able to bend their knees, move their foot and toes, walk, or even stand. The pain may be accompanied by burning or tingling sensation, numbness and weakness down the affected leg. People between the ages of 30 and 50 years commonly experience this pain, which usually affects only one part of the body. Most often, sciatica is caused by a herniated or slipped disc. In most cases, the sciatica nerve pain goes away on its own with adequate time and rest, in around 6 weeks. If the pain is unbearable for you, there are many natural therapies that can help reduce inflammation and pain. [See a doctor if self-care measures fail to lessen your symptoms or if your pain becomes progressively worse]. Here are 5 best home remedies for sciatica.
Apply Hot or Cold Compresses: Heat treatment can relax tense muscles and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve, while cold treatment can lessen swelling around the nerve as well as numb the pain. Alternate these treatments, starting with the hot compress and then the cold compress. Use a steamed towel for hot compress as it is more effective.
Try Massage Therapy: Low back pain is a common symptom of sciatica and studies have shown that massage therapy is effective in reducing such pain. You can massage the affected area with St. John’s wort oil a few times a day. This oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can also help reduce inflammation.
Exercise: You may be advised to take rest for a day or two after a sciatica flare up. Then you may start a regular exercise program to strengthen the core muscles, which helps facilitate quick recovery. Exercises like knee to chest stretch, spinal rolling, knees rocking, floor twists, yoga poses like the cat-cow pose and pigeon pose may be helpful in relieving sciatica and lower back pain. But always consult a physical therapist before starting exercise program.
Drink Turmeric Milk: Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin that has anti-inflammatory properties. Treatment with curcumin has been found to reduce nerve pain and inflammation. To make turmeric milk, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric to 1 cup of milk and boil the solution. You can also add a small cinnamon stick and a few drops of honey to enhance the taste. Drink this once or twice daily.
Use Capsaicin Cream or ointment: Capsaicin, an active ingredient found in cayenne pepper, works as a natural pain reliever. Research has suggested that topical use of capsaicin may be beneficial in pain management. Buy a capsaicin cream or ointment (containing 0.025 to 0.075 percent capsaicin) and apply it on the affected area up to 4 times a day. Read at least for 1 week.
