Sciatica is the weakness, pain, numbness and/or tingling that is experienced in the leg, back, hip, thigh, neck or foot that ensues when there is injury or compression of the sciatic nerve. When there is pressure applied to the sciatic nerve (a nerve that starts in the spine but travels down the back of the leg and controls leg, foot and back muscles) the sensation may be experienced in all affected areas simultaneously or at different times. Typically the symptoms that are experienced as a result of sciatica are felt on one side of the body. Exposure to cold weather has been known to cause pain associated with the condition to worsen.
Sciatica is a common form for lower back and leg pain but the causes of the condition tend to vary. There are several causes for the condition. The primary cause is compression of a dorsal nerve root typically in the lumbar region of the back. Spinal disc herniation, which is a herniated intervertebral disc in the spine, and degenerative disc have both been known to contributing to the nerve irritation that causes the condition. Other causes include but are not limited to slipped disc, tumors, trigger points, pregnancy, habits such as poor posture, habitual inaccurate lifting, long periods of sitting and standing, pelvic fracture or injury, spinal stenosis, and piriformis syndrome which is a pain disorder that involves the piriformis muscle in the buttocks.
Symptoms such as tingling, aching, burning sensation and lack of movement for the condition may become worse after extended periods of sitting and standing, while sneezing laughing or coughing, when bending or moving awkwardly and in some cases symptoms tend to worsen at night.
There are a few treatments that may be used to alleviate the symptoms associated with the condition but in some cases there is no treatment required and recovery happens on its own. Try applying ice and heat to the affected area. Opt for icing the area for about 48 hours before progressing to heat. Take over the counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofens Advil and Motrin to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Also there is a massage treatment.
Massage treatment has been known to release endorphins that have been proven to aid in lessening the pain.
• Rolfing: Rolfing is a form of deep tissue massage that helps to correct any structural abnormalities that may be caused by tenseness in the muscles that may have grown worse over time. This form of massage has often been referred to as structural integration.
• Acupressure: massaging acupressure points has been known to alleviate chronic pain conditions by blocking pain signals to the brain and interrupting the message of pain pathway.
• Myotherapy: This is a form of trigger point therapy. This form of massage focuses primarily on muscles rather than nerves. With myotherapy the idea is that pain can cause sore points that extend away from the nerve.
• Reflexology: Focuses on reflexology points to ease sciatic pain at the sole of the foot.
• Swedish massage: This form of massage involves kneading techniques that go in the direction of blood flow pressing added pressure on tight muscles to alleviate sciatic pain.
These are just a few forms of massage treatment, for more information on sciatica treatment with massage visit losethebackpain.com.
