What's sciatica?
By Joshua Moffat
Sciatica typically means agony or changed sensation in the lower back that extends into the leg, knee and foot, though each person's symptoms may differ a little. There are several reasons behind sciatica: *Irritation of the Sciatic Nerve (one of the thickest nerves in the body) by compression of surrounding muscles *Compression of the nerves that supply the leg and lower back as they exit the spinal cord by intervertebral disc bulges, bony growths or hardened ligaments *Damage of tissues like muscle, ligament, bones or tendons in the lumbar region which can then refer pain down into the leg *Additional causes include issues with intestinal and pelvic organs and veins but compared to the other causes these are very rare Because sciatica is virtually always accompanied by lower back pain there are similar risk indications for both Lower Back Discomfort and Sciatica: A sedentary approach to life is a huge predisposing factor for several reasons, when a person is sitting for long periods they will be supporting the weight of their trunk, shoulder and head mostly on the back and pelvis. This leads to a scenario where a comparatively small amount of tendons, ligaments and muscles are supporting a significant component of your body weight. Because the body favors loads to be spread around so loads are shared, lengthened sitting can end up in over load of areas of tendon, ligaments and muscles which leads to the consequence that they get damaged and aren't as good at supporting you afterwards. Smoking is a predisposing factor because of the damaging effect on the vascular system. This increases oedema in the body and in time can decrease the quantity of blood sent to a materially fatigued area by lowering the flow through damaged vessels. Folk working in jobs that call for frequent lifting who have not been taught (or don't use) correct strategy are also at greater risk. Treatments include Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture & Massage. Analgesics can be useful at alleviating pain in some cases.
About the Author:
Joshua Moffat is an Osteopath working in a consultant Sciatica centre in Bedford. He spends the majority of his working day precicely diagnosing the reason for someone's sciatica and then helping them to fully recover from the problem.
http://ift.tt/YnlVVJ What's sciatica?
