Do you wake up with a sore back? Or do you avoid activities because you’re afraid that they will cause back pain? ProActive Physiotherapy in Edmonton, AB can help! You may be suffering from sciatica. Our expert physiotherapists can assess you and create a customized Sciatica treatment plan to help you to overcome sciatic nerve pain.
What is the Sciatic Nerve?
The sciatic nerve is the thickest and longest nerve in your body. It begins with five nerve roots in your lower back. There are two that originate in the lumbar spine and three in the sacrum. These come together and form a sciatic nerve on both the right and left sides of your body. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back to your hips, buttocks, and down your legs where it ends just below your knees. The sciatic nerve is very important as it has two types of functions. The first is motor control. It helps the muscles in your legs and feet to move. The second is sensory function. It helps you to feel sensations in your legs. This crucial nerve allows you to stand, walk, and run.
What are the Causes of Sciatica?
It is common for people to use the term sciatica to describe the pain that is caused by your sciatic nerve. Sciatica occurs when your sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, pinched, or irritated. Other causes of sciatica include:
- Herniated disks: This occurs when one of your spinal disks bulges out of its protective outer ring.
- Degenerative disk disease: This is caused by the jelly-like cushioning between your vertebrae wearing down.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis: This condition is when your piriformis muscle compresses onto your sciatic nerve.
- Bone spurs: These are hard bumps that will form and grow on a bone.
- Injury: If you injure your back, your muscles may swell and put pressure on your sciatic nerve.
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
There are many symptoms of sciatic nerve conditions. The pain may be brief or chronic. This depends on the cause of the condition. Sciatica can also cause the following symptoms:
- Sharp or shooting pain in your back, buttocks, and down your legs.
- Muscle weakness.
- Tingling sensations or “pins and needles”.
- Numbness.
- Burning sensations.
You may find that the pain worsens if you have been in one position for a long period. Or that it is more intense if you move suddenly.
Call Today
You don’t have to suffer in silence. The expert physiotherapists at ProActive Physiotherapy in Edmonton, AB can help you to alleviate sciatic nerve pain with Sciatica Treatment Plan. We will create a customized treatment plan that will help help you to get back to your old self. Call today to book an appointment with the physiotherapy Edmonton loves!
Tags: physical therapy, physical therapists, chronic pain, Sciatica
