A 30-SECOND SCIATICA SELF-TEST Do you have back pain or leg pain with standing or walking? Do you have a shooting pain in your leg when you stand up? Do you need to sit down for a minute for the pain to go away? Take this 30-second self-test to see if you might have sciatica:
UNDERSTAND ING SC IAT I CA BACK PAIN
If you’ve experienced back pain, and even leg pain, you might have a deeper issue. Your minor aches and pinched nerves could be symptomatic of sciatica. While “sciatica” may sound serious, it’s entirely curable. What Is Sciatica? Sciatica is pain that radiates alongside the sciatic nerve. This nerve, which branches from your lower back — spanning across your hips, buttocks and legs — can be injured or stressed in several ways. The most common cause of sciatica-related pain is inflammation along the spine, where compressed nerves are aggravated. Whilesciaticapaincanbe intense, it is treatable. A lot of sciatica cases, in fact, can be resolved without operation — and within just a few weeks. Even if you’ve suffered severe sciatica spawned from leg weakness, bladder changes or nerve issues, there’s still hope. What Causes Sciatica? In most cases, sciatica occurs when one of the back’s discs are herniated. It can also happen if the spine narrows — an effect called spinal stenosis. As we age, our backs undergo a lot of stress. This stress takes a toll, causing inflammation in several areas. If this inflammation reaches a certain point, it may compress these nerves — resulting in pain. What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica? Sciatica back pain is normally noticed as a pain radiating from
the lower back. Often, this pain extends to the buttock, spiraling down the leg and extending to the calf. If you’re suffering from sciatica, you might feel the discomfort anywhere along this nerve pathway. The pain itself can be dull, aching or even sharp. In some cases, the compressed nerve may feel like it burns. In other cases, the compressed nerve may simply issue a sharp jolt of pain. Some people experiencing sciatica may experience leg numbness, tingling or weakness. If sciatica isn’t treated, itcanhindermobility altogether. How Physiotherapy Can Help with Sciatica If you’re experiencing sciatica, contact a physician immediately. Over-the-counter painkillers may alleviate pain, but in-depth physiotherapy is often needed. Physiotherapy can reduce sciatica compression by carefully introducingexercisesandrelaxing treatments. These treatments, hand-pickedbyprofessionals,can completelyeliminatesciaticaover time. Call us today at (613) 425-7700 or visit vitalitypt.ca and learn more about our physiotherapy options. Your mobility is important, and your back can be healed.
1. Sit on a chair and keep good posture. 2 . Straighten one of your legs out in front of you, while pointing your toes to the sky. Pay attention to how high your leg can go and if you have any pain, numbness, or tingling. 3. Place your leg back down to resting position, and repeat the same movement with the opposite leg. What Your Results Mean: If the leg with pain, numbness or tingling does not go up as high as the other leg, you likely have Sciatica. Give us a call today at (613) 425-7700 and find out how we can help.
Sources: webmd.com/back-pain/what-is-
sciatica#1 • medicinenet.com/sciatica/ article.htm • mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/ syc-20377435 • medicalnewstoday. com/articles/7619.php
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