Sciatica is a condition that starts with the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body, which runs from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. When this nerve gets irritated or compressed, it sends out distress signals in the form of pain, tingling, or numbness.
Imagine sitting at your desk and feeling a sharp, shooting pain that travels from your lower back down to your leg, or perhaps it’s a constant, burning sensation that makes walking or even standing uncomfortable. Sometimes, it might feel like an electric shock, jolting through your body when you sneeze or cough. This is sciatica’s way of reminding you that it’s there, affecting your daily routine.
Several factors can contribute to sciatica. A herniated disk is a common culprit, where the soft cushion between your vertebrae slips out of place and presses on the nerve. Bone spurs, spinal stenosis, or even prolonged sitting can also trigger this pesky condition.
But here’s the good news: sciatica can often be managed and even alleviated with the right approach. Physical therapy, exercises to strengthen your core and back, and maintaining good posture can help reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Understanding sciatica is the first step towards tackling it head-on. By paying attention to your body and taking proactive measures, you can keep sciatica from interrupting your life and get back to doing the things you love.
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The main symptom of sciatica is often a sharp, shooting pain that radiates from the lower back down through the buttocks and into one leg. This pain can vary from a mild ache to an intense, burning sensation that makes it difficult to find a comfortable position, whether sitting, standing, or lying down. Alongside the pain, you might experience tingling or numbness along the path of the sciatic nerve, which can extend all the way to the foot. Activities like sneezing or coughing might trigger sudden, electric-like jolts down the leg, adding to the discomfort. Sciatica symptoms are typically unilateral, affecting only one side of the body, and can worsen with prolonged sitting or standing.
If you’re suffering from sciatica, you’ve probably tried many different things. Maybe you’ve lain on a hard floor or become fearful of any movement that might trigger the pain. You might have tried various painkillers, starting with the weakest and now possibly using the strongest ones, which can raise concerns about their long-term effects. If you’ve been suffering for a while, you know that these methods often don’t provide long-term relief. They might offer short-term windows of relief, but the pain comes back, ultimately controlling your life.
We understand how horrible and debilitating sciatic pain can be, but there’s so much more that can be done to overcome it than simply relying on pain medication or opting for surgery.
At the Suffolk Clinic, we offer several treatments that benefit those with sciatic pain. We focus on specific movements to reduce the sensitivity of the nerve and alleviate tension in the lower back through massage. Acupuncture and dry needling can also be highly beneficial.
Our goal is to rebuild your strength and confidence so you can complete tasks without fear and know that your condition will improve. Masking the pain is not the best solution. Instead, we aim to understand its root cause and work towards a lasting recovery. We provide a clear timeframe for when you can expect to return to your normal life, whether that’s competing in sports, spending time with family, participating in social activities, going on holiday, or sitting on a plane for long periods.
These activities can be daunting when you’re in pain, but we can work together to help you overcome these fears and regain control of your life.
Not sure if physiotherapy is right for you? Take advantage of our FREE discovery sessions, which help identify your issues and the support we can offer
** Please note there is no treatment given during one of our discovery sessions. These sessions are designed to evaluate your needs and ensure we can offer the help you need.