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Sciatica is characterised by pain radiating along the sciatic nerve from the lower back to the feet. It affects millions of people worldwide and impacts daily life and mobility. Our comprehensive blog will demystify sciatica by exploring its root causes, identifying common systems, and discussing effective treatments.
Join us as we provide expert advice, equipping you with the necessary information to navigate the condition confidently.
Sciatica is nerve pain caused by an injury or irritation to your sciatic nerve. It is not a condition but rather a symptom of a problem involving the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body, and you have two nerves, one on each side of your body.
Each sciatic nerve runs through your hip and buttock on one side. They each go down the leg on their side of the body until they reach just below your knee. Once there, they split into other nerves that connect to your lower leg, foot, and toes.
This means that having sciatica means you can experience mild to severe pain anywhere in your body with nerves that connect to your sciatic nerve.
Sciatica can occur due to any condition that affects the sciatic nerve. The most common causes of sciatica include:
Herniated Disc: This occurs when a soft cushion of tissue between the bones in your spine pushes out. It can then put pressure on one or several spinal nerves, forming the sciatic nerve.
Spinal Stenosis: The narrowing of the part of your spine where the nerves pass through
Spondylolisthesis: A condition where one of the bones in your spine slips out of position over the vertebrae below it
Back injury
Common risk factors for sciatica include:
Sciatica is more common in people between 30 and 50 years old.
Sciatica may be more likely to develop if a person regularly performs tasks that put pressure on the lower back, such as lifting heavy loads for long periods of time.
Having a history of back pain or problems with the back can increase a person’s risk of sciatica
Your core refers to the muscles in your back and abdomen. The muscles in your abdomen are important because they help anchor your back muscles.
Sitting or standing for long periods and a lack of physical activity can increase the risk of sciatica.
Sciatica symptoms can include:
The primary symptom of sciatica is pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve. This can range from the lower back through the buttocks to the back of either leg. The pain can vary in severity and feel like a shooting, burning, or stabbing pain.
Like pins and needles (paresthesia)
When you cannot feel sensations on the skin in the affected areas of your back or leg. It happens because signals from your back or leg are having trouble reaching your brain.
This symptom means that muscle command signals are having trouble reaching their destinations in your back or legs.
A healthcare professional can diagnose sciatica using a combination of methods. They will review your medical history and perform a physical examination.
Doctors may ask the individual to perform basic manoeuvres that stretch out the sciatic nerve. One manoeuvre is a straight leg raise, which involves having you lie on your side on an examination table with your legs straight. You should slowly raise your legs one at a time towards the ceiling and identify the point you are behind to feel pain or other discomfort. This can help pinpoint your sciatica’s cause and manage it effectively.
If your pain persists for more than 6-8 weeks, your doctor may wish to conduct imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to help identify what is compressing your sciatic nerve.
Treatment for sciatica depends on the severity of the condition. In some cases, sciatica will improve on its own within 4-6 weeks without intervention. However, various treatments may alleviate pain and speed up recovery.
When pain starts, apply an ice pack to the area for the first 1 or 2 days. If it continues after day 2, apply heat to the painful area.
If you are a side sleeper, place a small, firm pillow between your bent knees at night or several firm pillows under your bent knees for back sleepers.
You should start gentle exercise as soon as you can. Sitting or lying down for prolonged periods can make the pain last longer. Therefore, moving your body, even if it hurts, will help you recover much faster.
Ask a healthcare professional which exercises or stretches you can start doing that are safe and beneficial for sciatica. They may encourage you to walk around when possible and avoid movements such as sudden twisting or bending.
If your sciatica pain is not easing up within a few weeks, it may be time to visit your GP. Your GP may suggest more exercises and stretches, or they may prescribe painkillers.
Pain relief will not cure sciatica in the long term, but it can make it easier to complete your daily activities. The most common over-the-counter pain relief for sciatica includes:
Around 80-90% of people with sciatica will not require surgery. However, surgery may become an option if symptoms have not responded well to other treatments.
The course of surgery will be decided based on what is causing the sciatica. Surgical options include lumbar laminectomy and discectomy.
Some lifestyle modifications can help reduce your risk of developing sciatica. These include:
Sciatica can go away independently, but various remedies are available to encourage a speedier recovery. These include hot and cold therapy, supportive pillows, and pain relief medication.
Sciatica pain and symptoms may worsen if someone suddenly bends, twists, or coughs. While staying in bed may seem like the right thing to do, it can contribute to discomfort and slow your recovery. You should incorporate gentle stretches into your daily routine.
Sciatica is a very common condition that can be managed effectively with the right home remedy measures, gentle exercises, and over-the-counter medications. At Home Health, we’ve got you covered.
From Ibuprofen to Paracetamol and Co-codamol, we have everything you need to alleviate sciatica symptoms.
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