You might experience pain radiating from your lower back up to the hips and going down to your leg. And you might be wondering what type of pain is it. This kind of pain may be sciatica. Still, you might be unfamiliar with what is sciatica pain. This article will help you understand what sciatica is. Also, this will highlight how physiotherapy can provide relief to this type of pain.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the term used to refer to the type of pain experienced due to the irritation of the sciatic nerve. It is a pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve starts from your lower back to the hips, extending to the buttock area and then down to to the legs. You may even experience it up to your feet and toes.
This type of pain can be experienced by both men and women. And commonly they may feel this type of pain on just one side. Take in mind that this type of pain is different from lower back pain since it is a result of irritation of the sciatic nerve rather than the spine.
Causes of Sciatica Pain
An estimated about 90% of sciatica is due to a herniated disc having compressed nerve root. This may happen due to injury or aging. Also, this may be caused by having lumbar stenosis, or piriformis syndrome.
You may be also at risk of having sciatica due to the following:
- Having some changes in the spine due to aging which caused herniated disks and bone spurs
- Increasing weight gain or obesity that causes much stress to your spine thus can trigger sciatica
- A job that calls for twisting your back and carrying some heavy loads
- Sitting for long hours can trigger the development of sciatica
- Suffering from diabetes, since this type of condition can lead to nerve damages
- You are smoking
Some people can recover faster with non-invasive treatment. But without treatment, it can lead to damaging your nerve permanently. Thus, it is essential to seek professional help.
First Signs of Sciatica
Sciatica can be troublesome. You might confuse it with lower back pain. If it’s your first time experiencing this type of pain, it is vital to ask for professional help. Also among the first signs that you may experience are the following:
- Experience pain in your buttocks or leg
- Numbness and tingling sensation
- Muscle weakness with the legs
When to Seek for Help
Typical mild sciatica can go away but, if you’re still feeling the pain for more than a week, it’s ideal to see your doctor or if it become severe, you need immediate medical care.
At the first signs of sciatica, it is essential that you seek professional help. Chiropractors will start with thorough assessments and will do physical examinations. By conducting a thorough assessment, they can see the real cause of the pain or whether the sciatic nerve is the main culprit. If it was found out that sciatic nerve is the main reason for the pain, you can choose from a wide array of non-invasive treatments. And, among the treatment option, you can have is to undergo physiotherapy.
How Physiotherapy Can Help With Sciatica Pain?
Most of the people that are diagnosed with Sciatica are always looking for natural treatment and non-invasive ones. Physiotherapy is among the chiropractic care discipline that aims in strengthening your tissues in the lower back, abdomen, pelvis, buttocks, and thighs. It will aid in restoring pain-free movements and the function of your lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint.
Also, it will allow you to have a better environment for the recovery of your lower back. In addition, it does not only provide relief for your lower back, buttock, thigh, and leg pain, but it will also provide a clinical counselor that will help you in reducing the perception of pain.
The Treatment
Not all types of sciatica need to have medication, surgery, or getting some killers. With non-invasive treatment and holistic care, getting relief from pain is possible. This can be achieved through physiotherapy treatment. It was found that sciatica is one of the most effective treatment when it comes to reducing the pain associated with sciatica.
Physiotherapy treatment is working into the reduction of nerve pressure as well as easing the muscular tension in your lower spine, buttock, and leg. This can be achieved using the following techniques:
- Spinal manipulation
- Massage therapy
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Spinal mobilizations
- Electrotherapy
- Stretching tight muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments
- Providing sound advice on how
- Advice and tips on how to minimize pressure on the sciatic nerve
- Acupuncture
- Mechanical traction
Physiotherapists help in managing their patient’s pain and are able to achieve a healthy lifestyle. They help people of all ages in maintaining good health. They are passionate about encouraging their patient to stay healthy and be able to achieve their personal health goals. Also, by using their knowledge and skills they can able to help their patients who are suffering from the following conditions:
- Back pain
- Sports injuries
- Whiplash
- Arthritis
- Asthma
Treatment applied by a physiotherapist in Coquitlam may vary. It will depend on the latest assessment done. The main aim is to uncover the real cause of the pain and be able to come up with the right treatment plan.
Prevention
Preventing Sciatica to happen is not always possible but changes in your lifestyle can make a big difference. It can help in reducing the risk of experiencing sciatica pain. With regular exercise, you can avoid getting into pain again. Maintaining a good postural habit is also vital in avoiding sciatica.
Need some help with Sciatica?
if you are looking for a reliable physiotherapist in Coquitlam, we are here to help. At Evergreen Rehab and Wellness, our aim is to provide pain relief and active rehabilitation. Our programs are focus on body musculature and joint manipulation through physical movement to ease tension, strengthen, and maintain the body’s muscles and joints. We can help in speeding up your healing process. Book a physiotherapy session today.
Evergreen is Everywhere for Everyone – Let’s Help You Achieve Your Health and Wellness Goals
At Evergreen Rehab & Wellness – Coquitlam, we have licensed chiropractors that provide best-in-class chiropractic care.
We don’t only have chiropractors in Coquitlam, we also have chiropractors in Surrey that are always ready to provide patients in these areas with custom and high-quality care.
Moreover, we also have chiropractors in Langley that can help you.
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