Most common causes of Sciatica and how are they commonly treated?
Sciatica can best be described as pain travelling from your buttock region to your ankle. The term sciatica is mistakenly taken for as a condition, but it is simply a symptom with several causes.
The sciatic nerve runs from the back, under the buttock, and downward through the hip area into each leg. Photo Source: 123RF.com.
There are a many common causes for sciatica. In this case we will go over the 2 most commonly scene in our patient population. The most common cause of sciatica is from a disc bulge or disc herniation, whereby the disc material from one or many of the lumbar region discs, puts pressure on the local nerve that makes up the sciatic nerve.
Another common cause for sciatica can be from compression, irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve or one of the nerve roots that eventually become the sciatic nerve. The compression can come from the piriformis muscle that is in spasm or has become overused.
The piriformis is a hip muscle that can compress the sciatic nerve when it becomes inflamed. Photo Source: 123RF.com
Treatment Options
Based on a thorough history and physical exam to pin point the exact condition is important on the outlook of a patients symptoms for their sciatica symptoms. The following treatment options that have worked for many of our patients to relieve symptoms of sciatica, based on diagnosis of a disc bulge/herniation or piriformis syndrome:
Stretching the low back and hip muscles
Nerve floss for the sciatic nerve
Mobilizations of the lumbar spine and hip
MRT or muscle release therapy to the lumbar and hip muscles
Come in today to see how we can help you become pain free and improve your health.
A few other causes of sciatica are
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Trauma that can result in spinal cord injuries
Spinal tumor
Always consult with a medical practitioner before attempting to treat yourself.
References