Conditions: Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is the term used to describe the pain associated with an irritated or pinched sciatic nerve.

Nerve impingement occurs when there is ‘compression’ (pressure) on a nerve. The pain is often experienced as one-sided lower back pain which radiates down into the buttock and/or leg region. Others symptoms include; muscle spasm, pins and needles, numbness or weakness of leg.

Common conditions can be the cause of sciatica, for example; lumbar disc bulges, spinal degenerations, spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, piriformis syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and muscle spasm.

These conditions can be extremely debilitating and affect multiple aspects of life so it is important to manage these conditions as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Why see a Physiotherapist?

Accurate diagnosis from a physiotherapist or doctor is required before treatment can begin. The aim of treatment is to remove the underlying cause. This is why correct diagnosis is so vital. Permanent nerve damage can occur if the Sciatic nerve remains compressed.