What's sciatica?

By Joshua Moffat


Sciatica typically means agony or changed sensation in the low back that refers into the leg, knee and foot, although each person's symptoms may differ quite a bit. There are several reasons behind sciatica:

*Irritation of the Sciatic Nerve (one of the thickest nerves in the body) by compression of surrounding muscles

*Compression of the nerves that supply the leg and lower back as they exit the spinal column by disc bulges, bony growths or toughened ligaments

*Damage of tissues like muscle, ligament, bones or tendons in the back which can then refer severe agony down into the leg

*Additional causes include issues with abdominal and pelvic organs and arteries but contrasted to the other causes these are very rare

Because sciatica is nearly always accompanied by lower back discomfort there are similar risk indications for both Lower Back Pain and Sciatica:

A sedentary way of living is a great predisposing factor for a bunch of reasons, when someone is sitting for long periods they'll be supporting the weight of their trunk, shoulder and head typically on the lower back and pelvis. This leads on to a scenario where a relatively little quantity of tendons, ligaments and muscles are supporting a significant component of your body weight. Because the body likes loads to be spread around so loads are shared, extended sitting can end up in over load of areas of tendon, muscles and ligaments which invariably means they get damaged and aren't as good at supporting you after some time.

Smoking is a predisposing factor thanks to the damaging effect on the vascular system. This increases inflammation in the body and over a period of time can decrease the quantity of blood brought to a materially fatigued area by reducing the flow through damaged vessels.

Folk working in roles that call for frequent lifting who have not been taught (or don't use) correct technique are also at bigger risk.

Treatments include Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture & Massage.

Analgesics can be somewhat helpful at reducing pain in a number of cases.




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