5 causes of sciatica

From health.harvard.edu

Sciatica isn’t actually a health condition; it’s a symptom, and a misnamed one at that. Sciatica refers to the symptoms of buttock, thigh, and leg pain, but it can arise from a variety of causes. Sciatica gets its name from the sciatic nerve, the body’s largest. There’s one sciatic nerve on either side of the body. Each nerve extends through the buttock and down the leg into the foot and toes. Yet the most common causes of sciatica don’t involve direct injury to a sciatic nerve itself, but rather to the nerves higher in the spine that join to form the sciatic nerve.

Image: fizkes/Getty Images

The right treatment for sciatica depends on the cause, such as a herniated disc, injury, or a pinched sciatic nerve in the buttocks. Sciatica can also happen in late pregnancy as ligaments get looser and the growing baby puts indirect pressure on the sciatic nerve.

For most people, home treatment may be all you need. Even if you don’t know what’s causing your sciatica, you can take steps to relieve your pain at home. For example:

• Move. A few days of rest is okay but ideally you want to move as much as you can as soon as you can. If moving seems to make the pain worse, it’s best to see a doctor and talk through what’s going on.
• Ice and heat. Ice is helpful for the first week. After that applying heat can help.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Don’t take more than the recommended dose.

Although most sciatica gets better on its own, it’s sometimes prudent to visit the doctor to make sure your pain doesn’t have a more serious cause. An office visit is in order if

• you are under age 20 or older than 55 and having sciatica for the first time
• your symptoms are severe
• you have weakness in a leg or foot
• you have a fever in addition to your pain.
• you have a history of cancer

To learn more about ways to ease your sciatica pain, purchase  Finding Relief for Sciatica  from Harvard Health Publishing.

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/5-causes-of-sciatica

 

How Can You Alleviate Sciatic Nerve Pain Through Chiropractic Care?

From dailyhawker.com

The sciatic nerve is the largest peripheral nerve in the body. It starts at the pelvis and goes through the buttocks and along each side of the spinal column to just below the knee. Sciatica is a pain that shoots down one side of your leg from your back or hip area to your foot, often after a bump or injury near this area. Sciatica can cause pain that ranges from mild to severe. It can also be caused by poor posture, cancer, stroke, and more serious neurological problems.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica (or radiculopathy) is a common cause of lower back and buttock pain. The sciatic nerve runs down each leg from the lower part of your spine. A herniated disc can pinch your sciatic nerve and cause radiating pain down the leg, often described as feeling like an electric shock or a heavy weight on the foot or buttock. Sciatica is common in people between 30-50 years of age. Another condition that sometimes mimics sciatica is piriformis syndrome (also known as piriformis spasm). The piriformis muscle is located deep in the buttocks and connects your hipbone to your femur bone just below the knee joint.

Give it time:

Sciatica usually subsides within a few days or weeks. If you have sciatica, don’t try to “push through.” Treating the problem early and giving the body time to heal is always better than ignoring it and letting it get worse.

How can chiropractic care help?

Physiotherapy is often all that is needed to treat sciatica. Your chiropractor may treat your lower back and buttock muscles tightening up the area where they attach to your spine and surrounding nerves. It would help if you visited a professional like Active Edge Chiropractic & Functional Medicine to get proper treatment. Your chiropractor may also recommend stretching exercises and sometimes heat therapy.

Medications:

Your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants. These can help loosen up your back muscles and ease tension on your sciatic nerve. Your doctor may also prescribe NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation. However, they can sometimes worsen the pain, so use them cautiously until you know how they affect you.

Ask for a prescription:

If you feel symptoms of sciatica returning, ask your doctor whether they will refer you to a pain clinic. Unfortunately, not all specialists can prescribe the medication you need. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to a physiotherapist who can show and explain how to stretch, strengthen and improve your posture and movement patterns to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Watch out for tension:

It’s important to stay active while recovering from sciatica, but it’s also good to pay attention to any tightness or tension that can get in the way of getting better. For example, if you feel ‘tight’ on one side of your back or hip, ask your doctor about muscle-strengthening techniques that could help.

When one suffers from sciatica, it is essential to be aware of the underlying causes and symptoms of the condition. In most cases, sciatica or radiculopathy is caused by a disc herniation in the lumbar area. During the body’s normal function, all joints need an adequate suspension system that absorbs shock and maintains joint stability.

https://www.dailyhawker.com/health-fitness/how-can-you-alleviate-sciatic-nerve-pain-through-chiropractic-care/ 

How to relieve sciatica pain

From patient.info

Are you experiencing pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation in your lower back, hip, bottom, down your leg, or in your foot? This could mean that your sciatic nerve is injured or being squashed, resulting in sciatica pain. It may be that moving is very painful or uncomfortable, but did you know that bed rest can make pain worse? We explore how to relieve sciatica pain at home. 

Do you have sciatica pain?

Sciatica occurs when your sciatic nerve is injured or put under too much pressure. This nerve runs from your lower back, through your hips and bottom, and down your legs to your feet. Sciatica pain, and sciatic nerve pain, are terms often used interchangeably with sciatica - but sciatica can also describe numbness or a tingling sensation.

Sciatica isn't a health condition on its own, but a symptom of a health problem - for example, a herniated disk - often called a slipped disk - could be the root of the problem.

Sciatica symptoms

You may have sciatica if one or more of the following:

• Your lower back.
• Your bottom.
• Your hip.
• The back of your leg.
• Your foot and toes.

Feels:

• Painful - pain could be a shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation.
• Numb.
• Like pins and needles - tingling.
• Weak.

Sciatica pain can range from mild to severe, depending on its cause. Usually, you'll only feel it down one side of your body. Coughing and sneezing can make sciatica pain worse.

How to relieve sciatica pain at home

As sciatica pain is a symptom of another condition, you should see a doctor to diagnose the underlying cause. It may be that you need medical treatment, and this is important to identify.

However, your doctor could also advise you to recover at home. Around 90% of people with sciatica pain get better without medical intervention - most within four to six weeks and sometimes less.

To help ease your pain and speed up your recovery:

Keep up your usual activities

You may be tempted to put yourself on bed rest or to limit your movements. In fact, moving is probably the best thing you can do to ease your pain. Even if moving hurts, it's not causing further damage, and can actually help you to recover by:

• Boosting blood flow to the injured areas, which supports healing.
• Strengthening your muscles, which supports your spine.
• Increasing your flexibility and range of motion.
• Alleviating pain, by reducing the perception of pain.

This is not to say that you should push on through extreme pain. Rather, avoid sitting or lying down for long periods throughout the day and move as much as possible without causing yourself distress. It's also okay to rest up the first couple of days, and to gradually build up to your usual activities after this.

Buy the right painkillers

Not all over-the-counter painkillers are effective for sciatica pain. Paracetamol is unlikely to help, whereas ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs may relieve pain and swelling. Ask your pharmacist for advice, and check if there are certain types you should not take. They can also recommend higher strength pain relief medication without a prescription.

Try exercises for sciatica

It may not sound appealing while you're in pain, but gentle exercise can make you feel better a lot quicker. Specifically, strengthening exercises for your back and core muscles, and stretching exercises to improve the flexibility in your spine, will allow your sciatic nerve to heal. Check out these four gentle sciatica exercises from Spine Universe - each with helpful images and step-by-step instructions.

Use heat packs, not hot water bottles

If you're experiencing numbness, a hot water bottle could scald your skin without you realising. Instead, ease your sciatica pain with a heat pad from your pharmacy. This works best after using ice:

1. For the first 2-4 days, use ice packs on the area that hurts to reduce inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
2. Take care that the ice pack is wrapped in material and doesn't directly touch your skin.
3. Leave it on for up to 20 minutes at a time.
4. After four days, alternate between ice and heat packs several times a day as required, leaving at least 20 minutes between each use.
5. Use the heat pad as instructed on the package or by your pharmacist.

Adjust your sleep positions with cushions

While you sleep, you can reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve by keeping your spine aligned, and this in turn may reduce sciatica pain. If you sleep on your side, the easiest way to do this is by positioning a small cushion between your knees. If you sleep lying on your back, place several cushions underneath your knees. Use firm cushions for this if possible.

Avoid heavy lifting and twisting

Gentle and regular movements are good, but heavy lifting or twisting can place too much strain on your injury, aggravating it further and resulting in more pain and perhaps further damage.

As a general rule, you should try to avoid heavy lifting or twisting for at least six weeks after your sciatica pain begins. Ask your doctor's advice, as this will depend on the severity of your sciatica. It could be that they tell you to avoid lifting objects altogether - even if they're relatively light.

When you are okay to haul heavier objects from the ground, just make sure you are lifting with your knees; not with your back:

1. Bend your knees to reach the object while keeping your back straight.
2. Hold the object securely in both hands.
3. To stand up straight, use your legs and not your back.

When should I see my doctor about sciatica pain?

Sometimes, home treatments aren't enough to relieve sciatica pain. You should see your doctor if after a few weeks: you've felt no improvements in your symptoms or you feel symptoms are getting worse. They may refer you to a physiotherapist, a neurologist, or even to a surgeon. Surgery is only for severe cases, and is usually a last resort if other treatments fail.

It may be that your symptoms are caused by a more serious condition. For example, cauda equina syndrome is a nerve disorder that needs urgent treatment to prevent permanent damage to your bladder and bowel. Although a rare disorder, it's vital that you see a doctor immediately if you suspect cauda equina syndrome.

https://patient.info/news-and-features/how-to-relieve-sciatica-pain

Best Stretches to Relieve Sciatic Pain during Pregnancy

From sportskeeda.com

Pregnancy stretches for sciatica can reduce pain and strengthen the muscles while also relieving some common symptoms. Sciatica is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy, especially in the later stages.

Sciatica is caused due to lumbar spine problems, including a herniated disc or bulging. Other causes include osteoarthritis, spinal narrowing, and degenerative disc disease.

The symptoms can also be caused by sacroiliac (SI) joint problems as well as piriformis syndrome, both of which are common causes of sciatic pain among pregnant women.

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Symptoms of sciatic pain during pregnancy

The symptoms of sciatica in pregnant women include severe pain in the legs. (Photo via Pexels/Yan Krukau)

Some major symptoms of sciatica pain include the following:

• Pain in one side of the leg and buttocks
• Pain along the sciatic nerve
• Constant or occasional burning pain
• Pins and needles, and numbness in the affected area
• Difficulty standing, sitting, or walking

Fortunately, there are several exercises to relieve sciatica during pregnancy. While body massages and physical therapy are some great solutions to ease pain, pregnancy stretches for sciatica are the most effective and can be easily done at home.

Before you try these exercises, though, talk to your doctor to make sure they're safe for you.

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Best pregnancy stretches for sciatica

The following sciatica exercises can be done during pregnancy, as they're safe and effective. However, before starting with this exercise plan, let your doctor know about it to prevent unavoidable circumstances. Read on to learn about some of the best pregnancy stretches for sciatica:

#1 Table stretch

This is an amazing sciatic stretch to relieve pain and discomfort. Doing this exercise regularly helps stretch the muscles of the buttocks, back, and legs.

To do the table stretch:

• Stand straight facing a table with your feet wider than your hip-width. Slowly lean forward, and place your hands on the table with your arms straight and spine flat.
• Pull the hips away till you feel a stretch in the lower back and the muscles at the back of the legs.
• To deepen the stretch in the hips and lower back, move your hips side to side slowly.
• Hold the position for a few counts, and repeat.

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#2 Half kneeling hip flexor stretch

Hip flexor stretch can loosen tight hip muscles. (Photo via Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk)

One of the best and most comforting pregnancy stretches for sciatica, the hip flexor stretch loosens tight hip flexor muscles that affect posture and leads to lower back pain.

To do the hip flexor stretch:

• Kneel on the floor or mat with one foot in front of you and the opposite knee bent at 90 degrees.
• Slowly shift your weight forward, and feel the stretch in the front of your back leg and hip.
• Hold the position for as long as it feels comfortable, and repeat on the opposite side.

#3 Child’s pose

The child’s pose is one of the most effective pregnancy stretches for sciatica. It's a basic yoga pose that helps stretch the muscles in the lower back, hip, and leg. It's a very calming yoga asana that relieves leg and hip pain too.

To do the child’s pose:

• Kneel on a yoga mat with your big toes touching together at the back and knees spread apart to rest your belly.
• Sit with your spine straight, and slowly reach your arms above your head. Reach your arms forward, and position your palms on the floor.
• Move your buttocks towards your heels, and stretch your arms slightly forward with each breath.
• Return to the kneeling position, and repeat the exercise

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#4 Seated piriformis stretch

Pregnancy stretches for sciatica is comforting and relaxing. (Photo via Pexels/Yan Krukau)

Pain and spasms in the piriformis muscles can cause sciatica pain during pregnancy. The seated piriformis stretch is considered one of the best pregnancy stretches for sciatica that can help alleviate tightness in the muscle and reduce pain as well.

To do the seated piriformis stretch:

• Sit straight on a chair with your feet flat on the floor and back stable.
• Slowly lift your right leg, and place your foot on your opposite knee. With your back straight, lean forward till you feel a stretch in the glutes and lower back area.
• Hold the stretch for as long as it feels comfortable, and sit back straight.
• Repeat on the other side.

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#5 Cat-cow stretch

One of the most effective pregnancy stretches for sciatica, the cat-cow pose stretches the entire back and also helps relive hip pain. This yoga pose also boosts spine mobility and helps keep posture upright. 

To do the cat-cow pose:

• Get on all fours with your arms extended straight and legs behind.
• Curve your lower back, and move your head up while tilting the pelvis. Bring your belly button in, and arch your spine while bringing your pelvis and head down.
• Repeat both movements a few times.

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The aforementioned pregnancy stretches for sciatica can be very beneficial in reducing muscle tension and pain, and promoting movement in the lower back, legs, and hips. When doing these exercises, though, make sure to keep your movements slow, and stop if it pains or you feel any type of discomfort.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/health-and-fitness/pregnancy-stretches-sciatica-best-solutions-relieve-sciatic-pain-pregnancy

To Your Health: Treating sciatica at home

From timesleader.com

Back pain can happen for a number of reasons, and it’s always nagging at best and debilitating at worst.

The aches and pains we get from overworking our back muscles may come and go, but if you can’t get relief no matter what position you’re in, finding the source of your discomfort is the next important step.

If your pain radiates to your hips, buttocks and legs, you might have a nerve condition called sciatica. It could be caused by a herniated disk or bone spur on the spine or by spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spine that puts pressure on the nerves.

Symptoms of sciatica include:

Muscle pain

Weakness

Numbing

Tingling

Sometimes, people with sciatica feel pain in one side of their body and numbness on the other, and the condition usually affects one leg at a time, but it can affect both.

Home Treatment

Sciatica tends to get better over time and can be treated using over-the-counter pain medication and physical therapy or acupuncture sessions. To alleviate pain and discomfort at home, the following tips are recommended:

Gentle muscle stretching

Stretches and body positions that reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve can help. Among them are:

Lying knee-to-hip stretch: Lie on your back and extend your legs. Raise a knee to your chest and hold it with your hands behind the knee. Pull the knee toward you until you feel a stretch in your hip and lower spine. Hold for a few seconds and repeat with the opposite leg.

Hamstring stretch: Sit on the ground with your leg straight in front of you and put your foot against a wall. Lean forward over that leg till you feel a pull in your lower back muscles. Repeat this stretch and then switch to the other leg.

Back flexion stretch: Lie on your back. Pull your knees to your chest with both hands until you feel a stretch in your mid to lower back. You can bring your head forward for a further stretch. Hold for a few seconds and repeat.

Walking, if you’re able, is another way to relieve sciatica pain.

Ice and heat

Cold and hot compression packs can be alternated to ease pain. The ice pack should be applied first to reduce swelling, and the heat pack should follow to treat pain. Each treatment should be applied for 20 minutes at a time.

Medications for pain and swelling

If stretching and compression packs aren’t helping, consult your primary care physician, who may make a medication recommendation or refer you to a specialist. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications can be used to treat sciatica, including:

Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, naproxen and ibuprofen

Corticosteroids to help with inflammation

Anti-seizure medications or anticonvulsants

Muscle relaxants

Benzodiazepines

Prescription pain relievers

Antidepressants

Most cases of sciatica improve with self-treatment and time, but serious cases can lead to permanent nerve damage if left untreated. If symptoms continue beyond five weeks, you doctor might recommend surgery.

If you have any of the following symptoms, seek care immediately:

Sudden, significant pain in your legs and lower back

No feeling in your leg

Symptoms that follow a sudden injury or accident, such as a car crash

Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels

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Dr. Alfred Casale, a cardiothoracic surgeon, is chief medical officer for surgical services for Geisinger and chair of the Geisinger Heart Institute. 

https://www.timesleader.com/features/1598252/to-your-health-treating-sciatica-at-home 

Sciatica: What Causes It & How To Treat It

From sheerluxe.com

Sciatica – a sharp, shooting pain that reaches from your lower back into your legs – is surprisingly common, with singer Adele recently opening up about her struggles. The good news is it’s preventable and treatable – here’s what two osteopaths and a neurosurgeon want you to know… 

What exactly is sciatica?

“The first thing that’s important to understand is that sciatica is not a condition, but a symptom. It’s the name of the pain given when something (usually a herniated disc) compresses, irritates or inflames the sciatic nerve, or one of the sciatic nerve roots. Your sciatic nerve runs from your lower back to your feet, meaning pain can start in the lower back and radiate down to the bum to the thigh and leg on one side. Pain is also often accompanied by a pins and needles-like sensation around the lower extremities, which is a sign of a pinched nerve around the legs.” – Nadia Alibhai, osteopath

So, it’s not all about back pain?

“Not always. In fact, a more appropriate term to help people suffering from sciatica would be ‘lumbo-genic buttock and lower limb pain’. The origins are in the lumbar spine and aching pain, sensations of burning, numbness or sharp shooting pain are predominantly located in the lower half of the body. This includes the buttock, the back of the thigh, the lower leg and into the foot. True sciatica would have a linear pain running the entire course of the sciatic nerve, from the buttock region all the way down into the foot. However, sciatica has recently become a catch-all term for a mixture of these symptoms, with the lower back at the root of the cause. As pain is often only felt in the legs, this can lead to incorrect treatment and a disregard for the lower back, meaning the injury is left to get worse.” – Michael Fatica, osteopath

What are the most common causes of sciatica?

“In short, anything that compresses or pinches the roots of the sciatic nerve (at the base of the spine) can cause sciatica. Most commonly, a disc bulge – or a herniated disc – is to blame. Other causes include bone spurs – an overgrowth of bone on the vertebrae that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve – as well as spinal stenosis, which is linked to arthritis.” – Vivian Elwell, consultant neurosurgeon at London Bridge Hospital

Who is most at risk?

“Manual jobs that involve heavy lifting, twisting and strenuous activity, especially if done unsafely, can be contributing factors to sciatica. On the flip side, you’re also at risk if you lead a sedentary life – this often goes hand in hand with a weak core, which means less protection for the spine. Obesity is also a factor as extra weight can stress the spine, putting more pressure on your discs, leading to herniation. Other common risk factors include poor posture, previous injuries and poor ergonomics at work.” – Nadia

“It’s important to see sciatica as an injury, and people who partake in either short and intensive activities that strain the back and spine sporadically, or those who partake in bad habits for many years without taking necessary action to counteract this, will be at risk. An example of the former would be someone who has a yo-yo relationship with vigorous exercise, as opposed to consistent exercise over many years which allows the body to adapt. An example of the latter would be the desk-based sedentary worker who does little to keep his or her body strong.” – Michael

“Pain is often only FELT IN THE LEGS, which can lead to incorrect treatment and a disregard for the lower back, worsening sciatica.”

What triggers sciatica?

“Some people with a full disc bulge or herniation can experience excruciating pain whereas others will feel a dull ache. Regardless, the triggers remain the same. The most common include sitting or staying in bed for too long, wearing tight trousers or uncomfortable footwear, being inactive, sleeping in the wrong position, bending forward from the waist, lifting heavy objects, or standing or walking for too long. If you already have a niggling pain, any of these could worsen the condition.” – Nadia

How is it diagnosed?

“A physical examination that includes testing muscle strength and reflexes is a first step. For example, I ask patients to walk on their toes or heels, lifting their legs one at a time when lying on their back or rising from a squatting position. Sciatic pain usually gets worse when doing these movements. Patients with severe pain or pain that doesn’t improve after a few weeks may need an X-ray, MRI or CT scan.” – Nadia

How can you treat it?

Be Patient: “Mild sciatica usually goes away over time, typically within four to six weeks. In this time, physiotherapy and pain relief medication (alternating ibuprofen with paracetamol) can make a difference. If you haven’t seen improvements in this time frame, a targeted spinal injection can help.” – Vivian

Avoid High-Impact Exercise: “Sports like running or tennis can put sudden and intense strain on the rotational forces through your back and worsen underlying symptoms. Also avoid jumping, bending forward, weighted squats and heavy lifting in the gym, which can aggravate pressure on the sciatic nerve. Instead, do more yoga, Pilates, gentle walking and swimming, and stationary cycling.” – Vivian  

Strengthen Your Core: “There is a clear connection between a weak core and sciatica. If you are struggling with pain, or can feel it niggling, work to strengthen your core as well as the muscles around the back. If in doubt, book in with a PT.” – Nadia

Consider Osteopathy: “Soft tissue massage can help relax muscles, improve blood flow and aid healing. Physical therapy can make the world of difference.” – Nadia

Think About How You Sleep: “Your sleeping position is important and can improve pain, helping you to recover more quickly. Get into the habit of lying on your pain-free side with a cushion or rolled-up towel between the legs and under the waist.” – Nadia

Stretch Gently: “Try a towel decompression stretch. Roll up a towel tightly to the size of a foam roller and, lying on your back with knees bent, lift your bum and back off the floor. Place the towel in the small of your back and relax slowly onto it. It can be achy initially as the lower back is gently unloaded, but with repetition it becomes more pleasant. To finish, roll your body to the side – do not lift your bottom. If you struggle to begin with, start with 20 seconds at a time.” – Michael

Avoid Sitting: “Being posture aware is crucial to avoid sciatica – slouching for prolonged periods is terrible for your discs. If you do have a desk-based job, take regular breaks from sitting.” – Nadia

“The causes of sciatica are years in the making, building below the surface, meaning PREVENTION IS CURE.”

At what point should you seek professional help?

“A red flag is bilateral pain – i.e. experiencing pain radiating down both legs at the same time. If you experience this, you should seek help immediately. Other red flags include bladder and bowel control issues as well as numbness in the area of your body that would contact the saddle of a horse. If you experience these, as well as if your back pain was as a result of a significant trauma, such as a car accident, seek medical attention.” – Michael 

Finally – is there anything you can do to prevent sciatica?

“The causes of sciatica are years in the making, building below the surface, meaning prevention is cure. Many of us know we aren’t as healthy, strong or active as we should be, so take steps to make changes where you can. For example, try using a sit-stand desk if you’re a desk-based worker – this can make the world of difference. We can’t completely prevent accidents from happening, but a conditioned person with back-friendly habits, good strength and mobility will fare much better in the face of an injury.” – Michael

DISCLAIMER: Features published by SheerLuxe are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programme.

https://sheerluxe.com/life/health-wellness/sciatica-what-causes-it-how-treat-it