Many of us have heard about sciatica pain, but what exactly is it, and how to handle this pain? An injury or damaged sciatic nerve, which runs from your buttocks to your glutes, is known as Sciatica. The sciatic nerve is the body’s longest, most vital, and thickest nerve.
What is sciatica pain?
Although “sciatica” is frequently used to refer to the pain that starts from the upper to lower down the leg, actual “sciatica” injuries to the sciatic nerve are uncommon. Damage to a nerve—an irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression of a lower back nerve—causes all of this pain.
Suppose you suffer from mild to severe pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve’s path, including the lower back, hips, buttocks, and legs. Additionally, it may result in leg and foot muscle weakness, numbness, and an unpleasant tingling sensation resembling pins and needles.
Sciatica symptoms and causes
The most common and noticeable causes of Sciatica are a herniated disk or bone overgrowth that puts pressure on a portion of the nerve. It causes irritation, torment, and frequent deadness in the impacted leg.
Even though sciatica pain can be severe, most cases resolve with treatment within a few weeks. Surgery may be necessary for individuals with severe Sciatica, severe leg weakness, or bowel or bladder changes.
The following are common symptoms of Sciatica:
- Lower backache and pain in the leg that gets worse when you sit down
- Hip pain
- Burning or tingling in the leg.
- Weakness or numbness in legs
- Difficulty moving the leg or foot
- A shooting pain in the back that makes it hard to stand up
- Fever and back pain
- Swelling or redness in the back area
Helpful tips for treating Sciatica
Frequently, the pain radiates down your leg from your lower back to the back of your thigh. For specific individuals, the aggravation from Sciatica can be severe and incapacitating. Others may experience occasional and bothersome sciatica pain, which has the potential to get worse. Immediately seek medical treatment if you have unbearable pain.
Tip 1 for Sciatica at home: Plunks
Walking around the block is a great physical activity that keeps your spine strong without causing additional damage. In addition to strengthening your spine, core exercises like planks (for example, movement cause the release of endorphins, which reduce pain perception (a stronger spine better protects against pain).
Tip 2 for Sciatica at Home: Stretch It Out
Integrate delicate extending into your day-to-day daily schedule. Stretching is a wonderful way to strengthen your core and spine while increasing your flexibility and range of motion. In addition, most stretches are straightforward enough to be performed while you watch the news or your preferred movie.
Tip 3 for Sciatica at Home: Take out the Heating Pad, and Ice Pack
Alternating heat and ice therapy can immediately alleviate sciatic nerve pain. While heat increases blood flow to the painful area, ice can reduce inflammation. Moreover, heat and ice may also lessen the painful muscle spasms that frequently accompany Sciatica. After applying heat for 15 minutes every two to three hours, apply an ice pack to the painful area once every hour.
When using heat or ice, always protect your skin with a barrier, like a towel, and never sleep while using heat or ice therapy.
Tip 4 for Sciatica pain at Home: Refresh Your Position
If you hold the same position for too long, whether working at your desk or relaxing at home, your sciatica pain may rise. Altering your posture every 20 minutes and maintaining proper posture can alleviate sciatica symptoms and relieve pressure on your spine.
When to See an Orthopedic Surgeon
If you are experiencing severe back pain, you should see an orthopedic surgeon for at least an evaluation to rule out any serious issues. While waiting for your appointment, you can try the methods mentioned above to alleviate symptoms; however, you should come in soon because doing so could allow the condition to get worse. If left untreated, Sciatica can occasionally result in permanent nerve damage.
Surgery
Surgery is needed for selected number of people who suffer from Sciatica pain. If you have Sciatica and are still experiencing pain three months after resting, stretching, physiotherapy and taking medication, you and your doctor may need to discuss surgical options.
Diskectomy
Your surgeon will remove anything pressing on your sciatic nerve during this procedure, such as a herniated disk or a bone spur. Although the objective is to remove only the component causing the Sciatica, it is not always necessary for surgeons to remove the entire disk to resolve the issue.
At-home Physiotherapy in Dubai for Sciatica pain
At Call Doctor, our multidisciplinary teams are ready to help you figure out what’s causing your sciatic pain and develop a customized treatment plan. We may recommend a combination of in-home therapies and other treatments, such as regular chiropractic adjustments or physiotherapy.
We always take a comprehensive approach. Together with you, our specialists will devise a strategy that meets your requirements and contributes to reaching your recovery and pain-free future objectives. To schedule your first appointment, give us a call right now.
