When your sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, it can cause pain in your lower back that radiates through your hip, buttock, and down your leg. This is called Sciatica. You may have felt this as a shooting pain or a pins-and-needles sensation. Sciatica Shrewsbury can also cause weakness, numbness, or a tingling sensation in your leg.
Several things can cause this condition, namely:
- A herniated disk: If you have a herniated disk, it means that the gel-like center of your disk has pushed out through a crack in its tougher exterior. This can put pressure on your sciatic nerve and cause pain.
- Piriformis syndrome: The piriformis is a small muscle located deep in the buttock. It helps rotate your hip. If this muscle spasms or becomes tight, it can compress your sciatic nerve and cause pain.
- Pregnancy: As your baby grows, your uterus stretches and puts pressure on your sciatic nerve. This can cause Sciatica.
Below find a detailed explanation of the indicative signs that you have Sciatica:
You have pain in only one side of your buttock or leg
Did you know that Sciatica rarely causes pain in both legs? If you have pain in both, it is likely caused by something other than Sciatica. Consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made through a physical examination or imaging tests such as an MRI.
Your pain is worse when you sit
Sitting puts more pressure on your disks than standing or lying down. Sciatica pain worsens when you sit because it adds pressure to the disk which is already irritating the sciatic nerve. The pain usually eases when you stand up or walk around.
You experience weakness in the affected leg
One symptom of Sciatica is weakness in the muscles of your leg. This happens when the sciatic nerve is compressed and can’t send messages to your muscles. The weakness may be so severe that you can’t move your leg or foot. You can also notice a loss of feeling in the affected leg.
You have a tingling or numbing sensation in your leg
Compression of the sciatic nerve can cause a pins-and-needles feeling or numbness in your leg. This is called radiculopathy. It happens when the nerve is damaged, and it can’t send signals to your muscles properly. The sensation may be mild initially, but it can worsen over time.
Different ways can help relieve the pain from Sciatica, such as:
- Stretching and exercises: One of the best ways to ease the pain from Sciatica is to do stretches and exercises that target the muscles in your buttock and hip. These muscles are responsible for stabilizing your pelvis and lower back. Strengthening these muscles can help take pressure off your sciatic nerve.
- Alternate heat and ice: Applying heat or ice to the affected area can help relieve pain. Heat can relax the muscles, and ice can numb the area and reduce inflammation.
- Massage: Massaging your lower back and buttock muscles can help relieve pain. A massage therapist can also show you how to massage the affected area properly.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of Sciatica, it is important to see your doctor at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine to get an accurate diagnosis.
