Sciatica
What is it?
Sciatica describes the symptoms of pain that run from the Lumbar Spine into the buttock and down the back of the leg and even into the foot. Tingling and numbness are sometimes also experienced.
What is the cause?
The majority of sciatic symptoms come from back disorders between L4-S1 that put pressure on or cause irritation to a lumbar nerve root.
The symptoms can arise from an underlying Herniated Disc or Spinal Stenosis (which can compress the nerve root), or a degenerative disc or facet joint, which will release inflammatory proteins and irritate the nerve.
Signs & Symptoms
There can be any combination of the following:
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Buttock, leg and/or foot symptoms
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Burning, sharp, searing pain as opposed to achy or throbbing
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Tingling / pins and needles
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Weakness of leg or foot
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Symptoms are usually only in one leg
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Symptoms that are intermittent (can get better or worse, rather than staying constant)
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Can be aggravated by sitting, walking, standing, twisting or bending
What can we do about it?
The Physiotherapists at Sports and Spine Physio will aim to identify the cause of your sciatic pain and treat with a combination of hand on therapy and specific sciatica relieving exercises.