Causes of Sciatic Nerve Pain and Effective Treatments

Sciatic nerve is considered to be the longest and widest nerve in human body. It runs throughout the whole lower body after starting from lower back. The main purpose of this nerve is to supply sensation to the skin of whole lower leg as well as to the foot. Not only that, it also innervates the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg and foot. Sciatic pain or sciatica is the pain due to compression in the sciatic nerve caused by any problem in the lower back. Poor hip bones conditions, lumber spinal stenosis and muscular hypertension are some of the major causes for the pain in the sciatic nerve.

Causes of sciatica Nerve Pain

Sometime sciatica get intensely painful and patient have to struggle to make any movement. To get rid of the sciatic pain and to stay in the game, keeping the hip and back muscles strong is a key. Exercises and use of foam-rollers reduce the pain and help in strengthening the muscles. Physiotherapist usually prescribes medications and stretches for the sciatic pain relief to the patients who have minor level of sciatic nerve pain. Some patients have to attend weakly physiotherapy sessions to completely eradicate the pain according to the advice of the doctors. During the treatment, the focus of therapist is mainly to externally rotate the hip to provide relief. As the pain can weaken the muscles that support spine, exercise that can decompress the muscles surrounding vertebral discs and spine are also recommended to the patients.

The major risks for sciatic pain are activities that require twisting, lifting and bending. Jobs that require your body to be in awkward positions frequently can also cause a pain in the sciatic nerve. Sitting on the computer desk for a long time, driving for long on regular basis, and keeping the spine stuck without moving and stretching all can be the causes of the pain. People often ignore to take care of their posture while lifting anything from the floor. They must bend their back as well as the knees while lifting anything. Second mistake they made is that they turn their body whole body instead of twisting it. Sciatic pain is also very common in pregnant women that occur specially due to herniated discs which in result irritate the sciatic nerves. The pain can range from mild to severe in buttocks and hips also.

According to a research 40% of runners have suffered low back and sciatic pain in their life. As running involves a lot of pelvic motion and if that motion is restricted by stuck joints or if there is issue with the muscles, such as spasming or tightness, then you are at a much higher risk of irritating the sciatic nerve. Piriformis syndrome is contraction of the piriformis muscle usually due to an unbalanced pelvis. Correcting the imbalance and stretching the muscles of the pelvis is recommended. If you’re a runner, it should be priority that you keep your body balanced. Not only will an unbalanced pelvis cause back issues but also hip, knee, and/or foot/ankle problems.

Useful Sciatic Pain Treatments

Many of the causes mentioned above can be treated with chiropractic treatment as it help to restore the posture and reduce the compression in the nerve. There are some exercises and stretches mentioned below that can a source of sciatic nerve pain relief.

1). After lying on the floor, bend the knees and hug them tightly into the chest.

2). Repeat the stretch after waiting for about 30 seconds or more. Repeat the stretch up to 3 times.

3). Lay flat on your back with your knees bent and soles of the feet on the floor.

4). Pelvic tilt- Exhale and tighten the abdominal muscles and push the belly buttons towards the floor while keeping the lower back flat.

5). Stay on the same position for about 5 seconds and try to repeat the stretch 10 times.

6). Arm and Leg extensions- To strengthen the lower back muscles, raise the right leg upward behind you and straighten in outwards.

7). Stay at the same position for about 5 seconds and do the same by raising the left leg.

8). Repeat the exercise for at least 10 times.

Whatever the physical and fitness conditions might be, one must consult the physiotherapist before starting any kind of exercises and stretches for sciatic pain relief. Physiotherapists and doctors always suggest that you must exercise in the supervision of experts if you are doing it for the lower back pain relief. Expecting too much from the stretching and exercises is not a good idea as they only help in making the muscles strong. You must also keep yourself gentle while performing the stretches and should avoid from pushing yourself hard to prevent any further injury.

Cold Therapy

Cold and hot therapies can also be used for the sciatica pain relief. These therapies are suitable for the patients who need temporary relief. These therapies are easy and can be performed while staying at home. Cold therapy is usually taken using ice towels, ice packs, immersions and ice cube massage.  Heating pads and hot water bottles are used for the treatment through heat that relax and heal the muscles to increase the blood flow in the affected area.

Surgery

Very few people with sciatica go for surgery if they do not get relief from medications and therapy. Generally if the pain exceeds from 3 months and surgery is the only option left, doctors often opt to do a minor surgery. The goal of the surgery is to remove the pain which is due to the herniated disc which is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.