Treatment for Sciatica

Sciatica is a type of lumbar radiculopathy

More than half of Canada’s population came across a work-from-home situation and certainly is still on-going. Sciatica has lately been the most troublesome situation due to the least amount of body movement observed throughout the day. However, that’s not it. Let’s dig in further to find out the Whats, Whys and the Hows. 

What is Sciatica? 

Sciatica refers to the Sciatic nerve that emanates along the lower back which further branches throughout the buttocks and goes down each leg reaching the heel and sole of the foot. The Sciatic nerve is known as the largest nerve in the human body and is formerly developed by the coalition of 5 nerve roots, all from the lower spine. The major role that this sciatic nerve plays is that it connects the spinal cord with the skin and muscles of the thigh, leg and foot. 

What causes Sciatica? 

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve in the lower spine is compressed due to irregularities in the bone of the spinal cord i.e., either, the disc in the spine has ruptured causing abnormal outgrow of the bone usually called a herniated disc or, is caused by an overgrowth of the spinal bone/discs. In rare cases, the nerve is compressed by a tumour or is abruptly damaged due to diseases like diabetes insipidus.  

Risk Factors of Sciatica: 

  • Age. After a certain age, spine problems are common that could lead to misunderstanding the sciatic pain. This is why it becomes essential to get diagnosed by expert physiotherapists near you. 
  • Obesity. Excess body weight increases the weight on your spine that can contribute to the compression of the sciatic nerve. 
  • Prolonged sitting. People with the least amount of activity can easily be victims of sciatic as sitting continuously at one place can disrupt the spine posture causing discs to skew. 
  • Diabetes Insipidus. The condition in which the person suffers from an abnormal ratio of blood to sugar can happen to develop sciatica due to increased risk of nerve damage caused by sugar molecules in the blood. 

When to visit PhysioExperts

  • Usually, the pain that radiates from your lumbar region commonly known as your lower spine, down the foot, following the buttock and the entire leg is the trademark of sciatica. The symptoms of sciatica include: 
  • Elevating pain in the lower back spreading down the leg. 
  • The feeling of numbness or weakness in the lower back, buttock and feet. 
  • Difficulty moving/loss of movement. 
  • The feeling of “pins and needles” on the legs and feet. 
  • A gradual increase in the ticklish or itchy feeling in the legs.
  • Loss of bladder control. 

How does Diagnosis and Treatment for Sciatica work at PhysioExperts? 

Diagnosis

At PhysioExperts, Kanata (Ottawa),  the physiotherapist shall first go over your medical history and confirm your symptoms for further treatment. An understanding of your physique is a must for which you shall be asked to walk on your toes and heel to know the intensity of your calf muscles and the weight your spine can carry. 

Further, you may be asked to lie on your back straight and gradually the physiotherapist shall raise your leg till the point the pain is activated. This helps to understand the origin of the pain in the spine, the nerve being affected and helps determine any problem with the discs. Essential tests like Spinal X-rays, MRIs, electromyography, myelogram shall be conducted if the pain is suspected during stretches, muscle flexibility, motions, massage, or touch. 

Treatment

For sciatic treatment in Kanata, PhysioExperts focus to decrease the pain and increase the mobility. Beginning with ice packs or hot bag treatment (depending on the cause), the first aim will be to release any sort of muscle discomfort. Once the muscles of the patient’s back and legs are at ease, gentle stretches of the lower back and legs will be performed. Eventually, exercises will be directed such that the muscles of the back are improved, and the core of the lower back and legs are strengthened. 

All patients are not the same, depending on your ability to process the pain, a customized program of stretching and aerobic exercises will be implemented so as to reduce the pressure on the nerve and release the pain resulting in pain-free locomotion. 

Get a personalized program that suits the best for you at PhysioExperts in Kanata. 

For appointments, call Us: 613-672-6000 or drop us an email: info@physioexperts.ca 
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