Are You In Pain and Struggling with Sciatica?
Let's Explore:
- Exactly what Sciatica is? So you make the right decisions
- What causes Sciatica? And how you can prevent it
- What to do about it now, so you can get your life back!
Would you like to talk to a professional? Click here to talk through your specific problem
Do you have Sciatica?
You may have Sciatica if you have:
- Pain - aching, stabbing, burning or shooting pain
- Pins and needles, tingling or numbness
In your:
- Bottom or buttock
- Back of your leg(s)
- Foot and ankle
There may also be pain in your low back, but this is not usually as bad as the pain in your buttock, leg or foot.
The pain is may get temporarily worse after coughing, sneezing, walking or sitting.
NOTE: IF you ONLY have pain in your lower back, you probably don't have Sciatica.
What Causes Sciatica?
There are several common causes of Sciatica:
A Herniated/Slipped Disc
The is by far the most common cause of sciatica. Disc herniations can happen slowly over time as a result of wear and tear, or following a trauma such as lifting something heavy.
The disc is a spongy cushion found between the bones in your spine. During this type of injury it bulges out, pressing on your sciatic nerve and causing pain.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis is a small muscle in the buttock that sits very close to your sciatic nerve. If this muscle become tight or inflamed as a result of imbalance or injury, it can start to irritate the sciatic nerve causing pain.
Spinal Stenosis
The condition describes a narrowing in the spine, that interferes with the pathway of the nerves in the area.
In the case of spinal stenosis the pain is usually made worse by walking and leaning back, and can feel better when leaning forwards slightly.
Sciatica - What NOT to Do
3 Things to AVOID While You Have Sciatica:
- Bed Rest - It can be tempting to stay in bed when you are in a lot of pain, but gentle movement and activity really is the best thing.
- Lifting - You need to be sensible and allow the inflammation to come down. Lifting can further irritate and damage the tissue involved.
- Heat packs - It can feel comforting to apply heat but this can actually prolong or increase the inflammation around the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica - What to do
Most cases of Sciatica will settle quickly within a few days / weeks, but it is important take care of yourself while your body is healing.
3 Strategies to Help your Sciatica
- Take it easy - It is important avoid lifting, heavy house work, long journeys while your injury is healing.
- Keep Moving - this will stop your muscles and joints from stiffening up and help promote good circulation to the area.
- Ice Packing - applying a cold pack onto the area for 3 to 5 minutes at a time can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Be careful not to apply directly to your skin and this can make it sore.
3 Biggest Mistakes People with Sciatica Make - and What to do About it
These common mistakes can provoke your sciatica symptoms:
- Ignoring the problem - dosing up on tablets which only mask the pain and trying to carry on a usual. Taking painkillers particularly before manual tasks like lifting children, housework or golf, makes the pain so we can make ourselves worse in the process.
- Doing the same gym/exercise routine - we discuss above there are different causes of sciatica but whatever the cause exercises like sit ups, running and weight lifting need to be avoided until you are pain free again.
- Sitting in Low Chairs - Sitting on your sofa where yours knees are higher than your hips? This increases pressure on the discs in your low back and can be very difficult to get up from when you have sciatica. Choose a higher chair to take the pressure off your sciatic nerve root.
What is the best way to fix Sciatica? New Treatment Now Available in the UK
Is your sciatica is starting get you down? Are you are sick of waiting for your NHS referral appointment? It maybe time to look at some of the other options for getting your sciatica fixed.
The following are approaches used to help sciatica:
- Physiotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Newly available IDD Therapy
Osteopathy and Physiotherapy are hands on approaches, that aim to reduce the pressure and irritation around the sciatic nerve and restore pain free range of movement.
A new approach is now available in the UK called IDD Therapy, scroll down to find out more.
Had Sciatica for 4 weeks or less? Click here
What to do if your Sciatica Doesn't Improve -New Treatment Now Available in the UK!
If normal treatment options such as physiotherapy, osteopathy or painkillers and anti inflammatory drugs do not work, injections or surgery has traditionally been the next step.
Recently, a new form of treatment for sciatica has arrived in the UK from America, called IDD Therapy.
The thought of surgery or an injection into the spine can be frightening, it is perfectly natural to want these options to be a last resort.
IDD Therapy now helps many people wanting to avoid injections or spinal operations to get back to their normal lives without the crippling and disabling pain of sciatica.
Is IDD Therapy Suitable for Your Sciatica?
IDD Therapy is a gentle, safe and effective treatment for Sciatica. IDD Therapy could be the solution for you if:
- You have an ongoing Sciatica problem that is not improving
- Your current treatment is not working or only giving very temporary relief
- You have been told that invasive procedures such injection or surgery are the next step
- You are taking painkillers and would like to stop
- You just want your life back
- You would are fed up struggling with simple things like washing, dressing, sleeping and lifting children and just want to get back to normal
Not Heard of IDD Therapy? Click here to find out more
Still have questions?
Get in touch today and one of the IDD Osteopaths team will be in touch, to discuss your specific problem and if we have the right solution for you.
IDD Osteopaths established 2002
Abji Bapashree House
First Floor, Office 16 and 17
211 Kingsbury Road, London
NW9 8AQ
We are located on the first floor of the office building, next door to the stunning Hindu Temple at the top of Kingsbury Road.