Sciatica Nerve Pain – 5 Things You Should Know

Sciatica Nerve Pain – 5 Things You Should Know

If you suddenly start feeling back pain, then you could be dealing with sciatica. This pain spreads along the line of the sciatic nerve. It branches from the lower back and continues through your hips and buttocks and finally, down both legs. Sciatica nerve pain – 5 things you should know.

In most cases, sciatica affects one side of the body at a time. Experiencing sciatica is not pleasant but the more you know about the condition, the sooner you can treat it in an Australian clinic. 

1. What causes sciatica?

The condition occurs when a herniated disc compresses the sciatic nerve or at least a part of it. In some cases, bone spur or a narrowing of the spine can also pinch the nerve. In rare instances, a tumour or the detrimental effects of diabetes can cause sciatica.

The area gets inflamed, causing pain and numbness in the affected leg. The pain can range from mild to severe but there is no need for an operation if the patient receives treatment with a few weeks. In fact, you can alleviate the pain using chamomile essential oil by massaging a few drops into your skin.

2. Recognizing the symptoms

Unfortunately, the aforementioned pain is the most indicative symptom of sciatica. This pain radiates from your buttock (remember, only one side of your body is affected) and the lower back area down a leg. You will easily recognize the pain because it runs along the nerve pathway down the lower back and then back up over the thigh and calf.

The intensity of the pain can vary from a weak ache to a burning sensation that grows into excruciating pain. In some patients, sciatica manifests itself through sudden jolts, similar to an electric shock. Since your lower body is aching, any uncontrolled movements, as benign as it may appear (sneezing or coughing, for instance), will have a painful outcome.

The pain is not restricted only to the lumbar areas, your feet and/or leg can go numb or you can experience a tingling sensation in them. The feeling is somewhat awkward since your other leg will be perfectly fine.

3. Evaluating the risk factors

Sciatica can affect everyone but there are risk factors that single out certain groups of people who are more likely to experience back pain. Firstly, the spine ages as we grow older, so older people are more likely to have herniated disks, as well as bone spurs.

Further on, in overweight people, the stress on the spine is greater than in individuals who have their weight in check. Obesity, therefore, is considered one of the leading triggers for sciatica. Diabetes has an impact on the levels of sugar in our blood, increasing the risk of nerve damage.

Finally, you need to factor in your occupation. Namely, jobs that involve twisting your back, carrying heavy loads, and driving a car/truck put in a great risk of sciatica. The more physically inactive you are, the greater the chances you’ll experience sciatica nerve pain at some point in your life.

4. Going to see the doctor

Sciatica is not necessarily a chronic disease. You should pay your physician a visit only if the symptoms don’t recede after a week or two. After they evaluate your medical condition, they might send you back home and advise you to rest or they might direct you to a physiotherapist if you have a severe case of sciatica.

In the latter case, be sure to look for the best physio in Brisbane or any other city you presently live in. The health of your spine is not to be messed with and you cannot travel far from your place of residence because of the numbing pain.

The surest signal you are going to need physiotherapy regarding your sciatica is sudden and severe pain in the lower back and/or leg. This can be accompanied by numbness of leg muscles and the inability to control the bowels or the bladder. When acute, the pain is the result of major trauma, like the one victims of a car crash experience.

5. Preventing sciatica

Sciatica is a cunning disease, as it is highly recurring. That is why you need to adopt a change in lifestyle to make sure your lower back never aches again. First of all, you need to start exercising regularly. Work on your core muscle to build a strong and straight back.

Look for various abs workout routines that will strengthen that section of your body. Proper posture and body alignment are essential in preventing sciatica early on. The posture is important when sitting as well. Chairs with proper lower back support and an armrest are essential for professionals who sit for hours on end.

A chair with a swivel base is better than conventional chairs. Placing a pillow or a rolled towel in the back of the chair will provide excellent lumbar support. Just don’t forget to keep the knees and hips level. Standing for prolonged periods and lifting heavy objects can also negatively affect your back, so take things slowly and take frequent breaks.

It is estimated that at least one-third of all Australians experience back pain caused by the pinching of the sciatic nerve at some point in their lives. For some, this is a painful experience and such patients need help from physios to alleviate the symptoms of sciatica.