Sciatca - Causes and Treatment of Sciatica

If you have pain extending from your back or buttock and traveling down your leg into your calf, you may have a condition called sciatica. If you do, learning about sciatica and your physical therapy treatment options can help you recover quickly.

The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back region through the buttock and continues down the back of the leg. The sciatic nerve controls the movement of many muscles in the thigh and leg as well as provides a means of sensory input to the brain. When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated and inflamed, it results in sciatica.

Sciatica is a common cause of low back pain and leg pain. It is usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc. Sciatica occurs most frequently in people 30 to 50 years of age and can be a debilitating disorder in some people. Sciatica normally only affects one side of the lower extremities, and the pain often radiates from the lower back all the way down the back of the thigh and the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also radiate to the foot or toes.

There are many causes of sciatica. For this reason, if you experience the symptoms of sciatica, get evaluated by your physician to determine the cause. Some more common causes of sciatica include:

• Herniated Disc
  • Sciatica can result when one of the vertebral discs of the lower back protrudes outward and compress the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. This compression irritates the nerve and causes swelling and pain along the sciatic nerve. Herniated discs are the most common cause of sciatica.
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back region. When the spinal canal becomes narrow in this area, it can compress portions of the nerves that combine to form the sciatic nerve.
• Piriformis Syndrome
  • The piriformis is a small muscle located deep in the buttock region. It assists in abducting (lifting out) and externally rotating the hip joint. The sciatic nerve runs extremely close to the piriformis muscle, and occasionally runs through it. As a result, when the piriformis muscle becomes tight, it often puts pressure on the sciatic nerve causing irritation and inflammation.

Stretching and strengthening exercises that target the muscles of the lower back, abdomen, and thighs can help reduce the symptoms of sciatica. A few beneficial exercises to help decrease pain associated with sciatica include:

• Piriformis Muscle Stretches
• Low Back Stretches
• Hamstring Stretches
• Core Strengthening

If you have sciatica, the best treatment is to see your doctor to get a diagnosis of your condition and to get started on treatment righ away. Working with a physical therapist can help you determine which exercises are best for you to do for your specific condtion and which you should avoid.

Most episodes of sciatica are short lived; many people are back to normal within a few weeks. Some episodes may require more invasive treatments like injections or physical therapy. Stay vigilant with your exercises and work closely with your PT to be sure you are doing the right things for your specific condition. By working in PT, you can quickly and safely get rid of your sciatica to get back to your normal lifestyle.