Sciatica – Symptoms and Treatment Techniques
Sciatica is a common condition that causes a pain in your back and down your leg. Sciatica symptoms can vary in their intensity from person to person, depending on the root cause of the condition. Physiotherapy treatment with Central Physio can help sciatica patients reduce pain and regain movement.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the name given to pain that is caused by the irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. It is not a condition in itself, but the symptom of another problem in the joints or muscles.
The sciatic nerve runs all the way from the lower back down through the pelvis, buttocks, legs and feet. It is the longest nerve in the human body and damage or irritation to it can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort. Sciatica can impact on your movement and cause you a pain that seems to radiate down your leg. The intensity and type of the pain you feel depends on what is causing the sciatica.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica symptoms are caused by a range of joint and muscle problems. The sciatic nerve can be irritated or compressed by problems like slipped discs (also known as herniated discs), inflammation, muscle tension or joint positions. These can cause discomfort, tingling, numbness, pain or weakness down the leg. Sciatica can be described as persistent (longer term) or acute (lasting up to 6 weeks).
Sciatica Treatment
The primary cause of your sciatica needs to be diagnosed before effective treatment can begin. Sciatica treatment will generally involve joint and muscle manipulation, exercises and self-management strategies, including heat packs or cold compresses.
If you think you may be suffering from sciatica, please contact us for an appointment with a fully qualified physiotherapist.