Worcester: Treating Herniated Discs

“Is That Thigh Pain Really Sciatica?” PHYSICAL THERAPY HELPS SCIATICA PAIN

One of the most common mistakes is to assume that all leg pain is sciatica, and must be due to a disc in the back pressing on a nerve. In fact, most leg pain is not pain from the nerve in your spine, and has nothing to do with a herniated disc. There is much confusion about the term sciatica. The term sciatica is defined as pain running down the leg in the path of the sciatic nerve. It isbest tounderstand thedifferencebetween referred legpain,which “refers” from another area and nerve root pain which begins in the spine. Irritation of any of the tissues of the back can cause pain down one or both legs. Seventy percent of patients with back pain have some radiating pain to their legs. This referred pain can come from the tissues, muscles, ligaments, joints, discs or other back structures. It is usually a dull ache that spreads into the buttocks and thighs. In addition, it may affect both legs, however, it usually does not go much below the knee. Referred pain is not due to anything pressing on a nerve. It is not sciatica. Irritation of the nerve root in the spine gives a quite different pain, which is sharp and specific to an area of your leg. Nerve root pain usually radiates

PRONE ON ELBOWS Lying face down, slowly raise up and prop yourself up on your elbows. Hold for 8 seconds. Repeat 8 times. Helps With Low Back Pain Relieve Back Pain In Minutes Try this movement if you are experiencing back pain. to the foot or toes. Patients often describe the pain with sensations such as pins and needles or numbness. It usually affects one leg only and is greater than the pain one has in the back. Nerve root pain is much less common than referred leg pain. Furthermore, if you have back pain alone and no leg pain or nerve symptoms, a nerve root problem is very unlikely. If you do have leg pain, then your legs should be examined by a physical therapist for signs of nerve irritation or nerve compression. Diagnosing nerve irritation depends on tests that stretch or press on an irritated nerve root to cause pain. Our physical therapists at Worcester Physical Therapy Services perform different tests for nerve irritation. A common test is raising the leg straight in the air and looking for radiating pain with limitation. DiscoverhowourSpineProgram transformsyourbackpain fromapressing problem, to a distant memory, allowing you to live a happy, active and pain-free life. worcpt.com

CHARITY SOCCER TOURNAMENT

SEPTEMBER 17TH AT 9AM-4PM

www.simpleset.net

Soccer for Sherry’s is a 3v3 soccer tournament for all ages, which provides support to childhood cancer patients and their families at Why Me & Sherry’s House, a nonprofit organization created to help Central New England families cope with childhood cancer. Use the following link todonateorparticipateat thisbeneficialtournament: http://soccerforsherrys.weebly.com/. Cancer patients and families will appreciate your generous support!

worcpt.com

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker