Sciatica Management

Sciatica. What is it and what can we do about it?

Sciatica is the name of the pain which is caused by something compressing, irritating or inflaming the sciatic nerve or one of the nerve roots that eventually become the sciatic nerve. It is pain down your leg anywhere from your buttocks to your foot.

The most common causes of sciatic nerve compression are:

• Bulging or herniated discs

A bulging disc is where the gel-like centre of the disc remains within the outer wall but can extend the outer wall enough to press on a nearby nerve or nerve root.
A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like centre of the disc breaks through the outer wall and the disc material presses against a nerve root. This compression can occur on one side or both sides of the sciatic nerve and can cause symptoms on one or both sides of the body.

• Disc degeneration

Over time as we age, the discs between the bones in the spine undergo a drying out process called dessication. The water content in the discs drops, which makes them weaker, more brittle and more prone to herniation.

• Trauma

Trauma such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, contact sports may injure the nerves themselves or fragments of bone may compress the nerves.

• Leg length difference

Having one leg longer than the other can cause the pelvis to become rotated which can then cause pressure on the sciatic nerve resulting in sciatica.




HOW IS SCIATICA TREATED?
Treatment of sciatica can include over the counter or prescription medication such as muscle relaxants or painkillers, combined with physiotherapy to reduce the pressure on the nerve. Physiotherapy treatment will include manual therapy to unload the affected structures, and assistance with gentle exercise to begin your rehab journey. 
Core stability work such as clinical Pilates with a physiotherapist can also be beneficial to reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve and to improve stability and motor recruitment patterns (how you move your body).
If sciatica persists, your doctor may recommend getting spinal injections near the affected nerve to reduce inflammation. In more serious cases, your doctor may also refer you to a specialist to discuss other procedures such as a microdiscectomy which clears out part of a herniated disc, or laminectomy that removes part of a vertebra to make more room in the spinal canal.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sciatica, book in to see one of our highly trained physiotherapists who can mobilise, traction and massage your joints and give you specific exercises and techniques to reduce the pressure and pain and get you back to doing the things that you love.

We hope to see you in the clinic very soon.

Best Wishes.

Written by Alison Jeffery - Physiotherapist, Women’s Health Specialist &
Pilates Instructor.

To see our Physiotherapists or book in for a Pilates consult, book an appointment with us online today or call our team on 07 55 04 7000.