Let's face it, sciatica is a big pain in the butt (okay give me a break, I'm a newly minted dad, I need to polish up on the elegant art of dad joking). Leg pain, with or without numbness or tingling, can really be a huge limiting experience, not to mention emotionally draining. A lot of people like to think of it as a major setback, with fears of wondering the source, how long it's going to last, or for that matter, if it's ever going to go away.
For those of your that are presently dealing with it, or have dealt with it in the past, there is some good news. If you read the previous blog post on our website (intro to lower back pain) this type of problem is a temporary sensitivity our body has developed based usually on our habits, and we are very capable or re-adapting and overcoming. With a little detective work, we often can find the reasons why we are currently dealing with this, and apply a course of correction.
The first big questions your should ask yourself are:
-Does it feel the same every time I do a certain activity?
-Has it been moving higher or lower in the leg quickly (within a matter of hours or days)?
-Is there numbness or tingling associated with it?
Like most problems we deal with in the office, we have to reduce possibilities of what it is to as few decisions as possible. Sciatica, by true definition, is caused by a nerve or group of nerves originating from the lower back that have become less mobile in their path to where they end. Think of it like a hose that's being pinched or caught somewhere. Evidence shows that this is actually a LESS COMMON problem of the lower back, and your leg pain may actually be originating from another, more common, spinal issue which we will discuss in another blog.
Sciatica typically presents in the following manner:
-It feels the same every time you perform a certain activity
-Progress or improvement of symptoms tends to be slower (weeks or months)
-Typically accompanied with numbness or tingling
If this sounds like a problem you are presently dealing with, we can help. We can provide the knowledge to approach the source of your problem, both through in office management, and advisement on correcting the habits that started the problem in the first place; through self corrective exercise and appropriate coached movement in your environment. Get informed, and get moving.
As always, comments and questions are encouraged, feel free to email at mhcwny@gmail.com or comment below!