What is sciatica?

Many people will have experienced the pain of sciatica, but they will not necessarily know what distinguishes it from more general backaches or leg pains. Understanding the condition is the first step to managing it.

The nature of sciatica

Sciatica specifically refers to irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the spinal cord, past the hip, and down the thigh. It usually involves a sharp or sometimes burning pain through your back, bottom, leg, and even into your foot and toes, and may also manifest as numbness or tingling. Back pain alone is unlikely to be sciatica. Coughing, sneezing, or other movements may aggravate the symptoms.

Treatment of sciatica

Most cases of sciatica resolve themselves within four to six weeks. To manage the symptoms before then, it is important to try to keep moving. Continue your usual activities as much as possible and take part in gentle exercise if you can. Pay close attention to your posture and adjust it regularly to prevent further irritation. Keep your feet flat on the floor when sitting; when lying down, support the back of your knees with a cushion or pillow.

Regular over-the-counter painkillers such as Paracetamol rarely help with sciatic pain, but you could talk to your pharmacist about other potential medications. Heat packs may help relax your muscles and relieve the symptoms, whilst cold packs may reduce inflammation. Do not use hot water bottles, as these may cause scalding, and do not place ice directly on the skin.

Other than a pharmacist, you may want to consider visiting a chiropractor Evesham such as Purelands Chiro. Chiropractors can identify the underlying cause of the irritation and make adjustments to try to resolve it. If the problem continues, spreads to both legs, or impacts your bladder and bowel control, you may need to visit a doctor.

For most people, sciatica is a temporary issue that may cause some pain but will resolve relatively quickly. Gentle exercise and using heat packs may be enough to manage symptoms, but talk to a pharmacist, chiropractor, or doctor about any concerns.