Sciatica - symptoms and treatment

What is sciatica and how does it occur?

Sciatica is a condition that affects your sciatic nerve - which is also the largest nerve in our body and spreads from the lower back, through the hips, glutei and both legs. This condition occurs mainly due to lumbar disc herniation (disc herniation) or spinal stenosis. Namely, sciatica occurs in cases when a herniated disc or stenosis exerts pressure around the afflicted area and in that way causes inflammation or nerve irritation. The result of this inflammation is most often numbness and stiffness in the leg.

Sciatica usually afflicts only one side of the body, and the pain caused by sciatica can become very intense and can usually last for several weeks, disrupting normal functioning and productivity.

It is a health condition that affects many and has become quite common. The good news is that today we have many methods and know-how at our disposal, thanks to which sciatica can be effectively treated.

Sciatica treatment at the Fizionova Center

The methods of treating sciatica mostly depend on the causes that led to this condition, which means it is first necessary to determine the sources of the problem. To discover the original causes, a certain diagnosis must be made - an MRI scan and a detailed examination by our physiotherapists who will further recommend the best treatment plan in your case.

In Fizionova, therapy is carried out according to a protocol which consists of:

• Assessment of biomechanics and postural condition

• Kinesitherapy treatment

• Myofascial release

• Decompression table (Chattanooga)

• Combination therapy (ultrasound + dipolar vector field)

• Cold laser

• Hypobaric therapy

• Application of low frequency magnetic field (2.5 T)

• IMS application (intramuscular stimulation)

• Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT)

To get more information and to schedule an examination, call us at: 011 / 21-00-58

Our operators will find the first available appointment that suits you and will provide you with all the necessary information related to questions and concerns that you may have regarding treatment in our Center.

Who is most often affected by sciatica?

People between age 45 and 64 are typically more prone to it, as well as those who practice demanding physical activities such as lifting weights, bending and twisting the body because these are the main factors that contribute to the onset of this condition.

Furthermore, sciatica often afflicts people who have suffered certain back traumas, people who move poorly and spend a lot of time in a sitting position, but it can also occur in pregnant women due to the increased elasticity of the connective tissue that is typical for pregnancy.

Sciatica symptoms - how do you know if you have sciatica?

There is a possibility that your doctor will diagnose sciatica after a medical examination and a series of x-rays or MRI if you have the following symptoms:

• severe hip pain

• lower back pain (lumbago) that descends along the leg on one side of the body

• numbness/tingling in the foot

• decreased sense of touch in the legs

• muscle weakness

• mild to intense pain while standing or sitting

• pain in the backside

• pain in the legs

• difficulty walking

• inability to bend backwards

• reflex spasm

Sciatica pain can greatly disrupt your daily life

When you suffer from sciatica, the pain can be so intense that it significantly affects your ability to perform any activity, including sitting.

The pain can vary depending on the individual case, from moderate and dull to very sharp and sudden pain.

When you suffer from sciatica, the pain can intensify due to various movements and straining: for example, when you cough, sneeze or laugh, but also when you pull the sciatic nerve when lifting an outstretched leg.

What’s important is not to deny the pain caused by sciatica and treat it on time, because the discomfort caused by unbearable pain and constant recurrence of symptoms can have a negative impact on the physical and mental health of an individual.

Sciatica medication

In addition to treatments and exercises for stretching and conditioning the lower back that can be done to speed up recovery or prevent further development of the condition, in order to treat and alleviate the symptoms of sciatica, the doctor may prescribe certain medications. The most common are painkillers, muscle relaxants, and in some cases, antidepressants.

Sciatica – it must be treated properly and on time

Sciatica is very difficult to prevent and if it is not treated properly and not detected in time, there is a high chance that it will occur again. In more persistent and advanced cases of sciatica, when it is caused, for example by nerve compression in the lower part of the spine, surgery can also be a treatment option. So, you shouldn’t ignore the symptoms once they appear, because if this condition is treated on time, the treatment methods will be much less invasive and you will be able to return to your normal routine faster.