Sciatica; Treatment By Physiotherapy
Many recommend physiotherapy as a main way of Sciatica treatments. Sciatica is the pain due to the tightening of the sciatic nerve that is found in the area of the lower back.
The pain starts at the lower back and runs through the buttocks and the back of both legs. Sciatica in Latin does mean “Pain down the back of the leg”. A ruptured disc pressuring the nerve on the sciatic nerve is the reason for such pain.
The pain you feel when suffering from sciatica is not always frequent and can range from irritating to unbearable. It’s not always felt on both legs and both sides of the buttocks, instead on one side. It can vary from feeling unbearable when seated, to feeling a tingle or burn down the leg, feeling weak and numb and difficult to move or a pain that shoots through making it hard to stand.
This, however, does not cause long-term damage to the nerve. Swelling is the main reason for the pain and will get better with time. The pain felt on the nerve is a mix of swelling and pressure on the root of the nerve. Sciatica treatment usually focuses on treating the swelling and the pressure on the nerve root.
If you suffer from sciatica, simple things like coughing, sneezing and daily activities that include bending and lifting can make it worse. Sciatica usually affects employees involved in manual work, jobs that are done seated for a long time and pregnant mothers are also known to suffer.
The objectives of physiotherapy treatments for sciatica are to reduce the pain and tension, strengthen muscles that have grown weak and to restore movement.
Sciatica Is The Result Of..
Sciatica involves the largest vein in our anatomy that is also the main nerve in the leg. Starting at the point where the spine ends it is spread down the back of the thigh towards the knee, there it branches.
Sciatica is a result of pressure felt on the root of the nerve. If the nerve is damaged this may also cause sciatic pain. For people of young age, an intervertebral disc falling out of place in the lower back area can cause pressure on the nerve resulting in sciatic pain.
Diseases like osteoarthritis can cause changes in the spine that might cause spinal stenosis- narrowing of the spine or tension on the nerve. This can be the reason why most old people suffer from sciatica. However, regardless of age injury to the spine or any bone diseases can also cause sciatic pain.
Diagnosing Sciatica
Physiotherapists Burnaby will first need to find the actual cause for the hindrance in the sciatic nerve. Physiotherapy for sciatica treatments will start with a look through your entire medical history.
Then examinations need to be done on the spine, nerves and bones. To begin sciatica treatments, investigations through images taken by X-ray, CT and MRI will have to be done. Our Burnaby Physiotherapists usually require a posture pro scan too.
Sciatica Treatments
The main cause of sciatica is the pressure applied to the sciatic nerve. The sciatica treatments need to focus on removing the pressure applied to the sciatica nerve.
At Burnaby physiotherapy, the sciatica treatments will look to reduce the pressure on the nerve caused by misplaced discs and reduce tension in the muscles around the lower back, buttocks and legs.
Physiotherapists use different techniques in various combinations to treat sciatica. Techniques include methods to improve mobility in areas where the spin is restricted, massaging spots that cause pain when compressed and areas that are strained and need relaxing also known as massage and trigger point therapy.
Sciatica treatments will include stretching that stretches muscles that are tight, tendons and joints. Physiotherapists also use electronic stimulation devices and ultrasounds to treat sciatica.
They will also give advice on ways to not lessen pressure applied to the sciatic nerve when going about daily tasks. You will also be advised to follow a series of stretching exercises on your own and to apply ice and heat accordingly to help with sciatica treatments done professionally.
If you are feeling even a tingle of pain that can be described as sciatic pain go now and get it treated. Acknowledging the symptoms early on can make recovery a lot easier.
