40% of people will suffer with sciatica in
their lifetime, but how can you avoid being one of them?
Sciatica
is a term many people are familiar with as up to 40% of people will experience
it in their lifetime. According to the National Institute for Health and
Excellence.
What exactly is sciatica, what causes it and how can you prevent becoming one of them?
Sciatica
is a name given to pain associated with irritation of the sciatic nerve, which
is a large bundle of nerves that travels from your lower back and sacrum down
the back of your leg.
Sciatica
has a collection of symptoms that differ depending on your individual
presentation.
Sciatica
symptoms
Typically,
the pain associated with Sciatica is a sharp shooting or burning pain that
travels down one leg anywhere from your buttock to your foot, it is commonly
combined with other symptoms such as:
Lower back pain
Pins and needles and numbness
Muscle weakness
Is
Piriformis syndrome the same as Sciatica?
Piriformis
syndrome is a condition that may cause sciatica. Sciatica is due to compression
by a herniated disc causing lumbar radiculopathy. Piriformis syndrome is a
condition that causes sciatica nerve symptoms due to compression of the sciatic
nerve around the buttock and the hip.
When
Sciatica is an emergency?
In
rare cases Sciatica can be a sign of something worse, if you experience any of
the following symptoms it is important to go to the nearest hospital or call
911:
You have sciatica in both legs
You have a weakness or numbness in both
legs that is severe and getting worse
You have any numbness in or around your
genitals and anus
Your bowel or bladder habits are difficult to control, have increased in
urgency or feel (and this is not normal for you)
What
causes sciatica?
Sciatica
is caused by a compression to the sciatic nerve somewhere along its pathway
from the lumbar spine to the leg.
A
chiropractor or medical professional can help you identify the cause of your
sciatica.
According
to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) about 90% of cases
come from a herniated disc (“slipped disk”) in your lower lumbar spine.
However,
soft tissue, and other joint injuries can also create inflammation around the
nerve along its pathway, irritating the nerve.
Who’s
at risk?
Sciatica
can affect anyone of any age group, but peak presentation is in the 5th decade;
other risk factors are strenuous high activity lifestyle, for example:
Frequent bending, heavy lifting or twisting
Jogging/running and impact activities
Whole body vibrations. Like operating machinery or long periods of driving.
Sedentary
lifestyles can also contribute to developing back problems and associated
symptoms as well as general health, obesity and smoking.
What
can you do to relieve sciatic pain?
Sciatica
can be self-resolving in 4-6 weeks but this is often aided by lots of
painkillers to moderate the pain. Patients usually don’t want to rely on
painkillers and want to find an alternative, or more natural ways to get
better.
Symptoms
vary from patient to patient, so Chiropractic treatment is designed for the
individual's unique history and current symptoms. However, the overall goals of
treatment are to lessen nerve irritation symptoms by correcting spinal
misalignments, improve the health with home care exercises/stretches, and
advise any lifestyle changes to enhance the healing process.
Tips
to try:
Regular Chiropractic care to keeps our
bodies in motion.
Our body’s like to move, try to stay active
and avoid long periods of rest as this has been shown to increase pain.
Carry on with your normal activities as
much as possible.
Gentle exercises and stretches of your legs
and back advised accordingly by your Chiropractor, start gradually and stop if
you feel increased pain.
Massaging out tight muscles can also help take pressure off and reduce pain.
We
can help
If
you are concerned about your back or sciatic pain, and would like an expert
opinion, please contact Family First Chiropractic (403) 347-3261, www.family1stchiro.ca
Dr
.Elton Clemence
Family
First Chiropractic
