Sciatica

Sciatica is defined as a contraction and irritation of the sciatic nerve from the lumbar region to the lower limbs. These are distributed from the knee, terminal branches reaching the foot and this is called sciatic nerve. Three types of sciatica exist:

• Disc sciatica;
• Root sciatica;
• Non-root sciatica;

How to recognize signs and symptoms?

Electric blows

It is an uncomfortable pain similar to electric blows or shocks that limit movement, especially on the leg. Moreover, it happens that no position can relieve the pain, it can remain constant.

L5 root

Regarding an attack of the L5 nerve, it defines a pain that begins on the buttocks and goes down to the lower limbs:

• Back of the thigh;
• Front of the thigh;
• The knee;
• External part of a leg;
• Big toe.

Root S1

When sciatic nerve involvement affects the root of nerve S1, the course is similar to the pain present with L5 and ends on the heel, outside the foot and on the little toe.

What are the symptoms?

• Dizziness;
• Itching;
• Loss of sensation or hypoaesthesia;
• Muscle weakness.

In what ways can sciatica be caused?

• An alteration of a disc of the vertebrae: a pad that ensures flexibility by cushioning blows or irritation of the lumbar hernia by causing inflammation and immobility.
• Gluteal muscle blockage: caused by a compressed sciatic nerve on the part of the gluteal muscles.
• Pain in one of the nerves: which affects only a portion of the sciatic nerves knowing that they are not extensive. Normally, nerves can move with each movement and if one of these nerves cannot move, there is the existence of sciatica.
• Posterior pain of a leg is often caused by the nerve and yet, it can perfectly well be caused by any disease. Most of the time, a problem with the joints of the pelvis and lumbar region can be responsible for the pain without necessarily reaching the nerve. This means that if you have muscle or joint problems, this pain is not automatically due to compression of the nerves, which is not consistent with sciatica.

What are the different kinds of sciatica?

Sciatica is divided into three types and is as follows:

• Disc sciatica: pain that frequently affects adults;
• Root sciatica: pain in the roots of the sciatic nerve;
• Non-radicular sciatica.

What is the age frequency concerned by sciatica?

Most of the time, it is men who are most affected even though women can also have sciatica. The age frequency for men is between 30 and 50 years, but it is notable that a woman during pregnancy can be affected by sciatica.

How to treat sciatica?

Regular treatments, exercises, or workouts are sometimes offered to alleviate the pain caused by sciatica. But depending on the professionals who work at Physio+ Hamel, sciatica can be determined by different methods. As physiotherapists, they have the opportunity to make you follow the appropriate treatment, exercises and training that will solve the problem quickly.

As for the treatments, they are very varied, which gives you the privilege of choosing the one that best suits your needs, because you have:

• Mobilization exercises;
• Manipulation exercises;
• Exercises by following precise movements;
• Flexibility and education training.

These methods will help you relieve and correct the pain caused by sciatica. Numbness and tingling will disappear, especially on the lower limbs.