Sciatica
Several factors increase the risk of developing sciatica, including age, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and jobs that require heavy lifting or long periods of sitting.
What Is Sciatica ?
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks, extending down each leg. This condition typically affects one side of the body and can vary in intensity, from mild discomfort to sharp, severe pain. Sciatica is usually caused by irritation, inflammation, or compression of the sciatic nerve, often resulting from a herniated or slipped disc in the spine. Other common causes include spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal), degenerative disc disease, or spinal misalignment. Tightness or spasms in the muscles, particularly in the lower back or gluteal region, can also contribute to sciatica by exerting pressure on the nerve.
Treatment for sciatica generally focuses on alleviating pain, improving posture, and addressing the root cause of the nerve compression or irritation.
What Are The Symptoms Of Sciatica?
The symptoms of sciatica can vary depending on the severity of the condition, but they typically involve pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the hips, buttocks and legs. The pain is often felt on one side of the body and can range from mild to intense, with some people experiencing a sharp, shooting pain or a burning sensation. It may worsen when sitting, standing, or during certain movements.
In addition to pain, sciatica can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected leg or foot. Some people may find it difficult to move or lift their legs, especially when trying to walk, climb stairs, or stand for prolonged periods. In severe cases, the pain may interfere with daily activities and impact a person’s ability to work or exercise. Muscle weakness in the lower back, hip, or leg can also occur due to nerve compression, further limiting mobility. If left untreated, these symptoms can worsen, leading to long-term discomfort and functional limitations.
What Is Our Approach To Fixing / Treating Sciatica ?
At Chichester Physio, we offer a comprehensive and personalised approach to treating sciatica, alleviating pain, restoring mobility, and improving your overall quality of life. Sciatica can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including sharp, shooting pain, numbness, or tingling sensations along the path of the sciatic nerve. These symptoms can make even simple movements, like sitting, standing, or walking, incredibly difficult. Fortunately, we have a variety of treatments available to help relieve these symptoms and address the root cause of the issue.
The first step in our treatment process is a thorough assessment to determine the exact cause of your sciatica and identify which area of the sciatic nerve is being irritated. This allows us to tailor the treatment specifically to your needs. Once we understand the underlying issue, we typically start by relaxing the muscles surrounding the affected area. We use techniques such as heat therapy or electrotherapy, including interferential therapy or TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), to help relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. This initial step is crucial for making you feel more comfortable and preparing your body for further treatment.
Once the muscles are relaxed, we begin hands-on treatments to mobilise the joints, restore flexibility, and further reduce pain. Our skilled physiotherapists use manual therapy techniques that target the spine, pelvis and surrounding structures to improve joint function and alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve.
To ensure long-term relief and prevent future flare-ups, we provide a customised home exercise programme designed to strengthen the muscles supporting your lower back and improve flexibility. These exercises also help correct movement patterns that may be contributing to your pain. In addition to exercises, we offer advice on how to move more comfortably throughout daily activities, such as sitting, standing, walking and getting in and out of a car. We focus on educating you on proper posture and body mechanics, which can make a significant difference in managing sciatica.
Whether you’re struggling with basic movements or trying to regain your ability to stay active, we’re here to support you every step of the way. At Chichester Physio, we are dedicated to helping you find relief from sciatica and regain your independence.
Download Our Free Report
Is sciatica pain severely limiting your life? Our free sciatica report provides you with valuable tips and tricks to alleviate discomfort from your home, information on the condition and actionable next steps you can take to start feeling better. Don’t wait for the pain to get worse – take control of your recovery today!