Sciatica Is
It Really Back Pain?
Sciatica is the
Latin word for "Pain down the back of the leg". It is a referred
pain usually caused by trapping the sciatic nerve in the lower
back. Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for
what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain.
These symptoms are generally caused by the compression of a
lumbar spine nerve root L4 or L5 or sacral nerve roots S1, S2 or
S3, or far less commonly, by compression of the sciatic nerve
itself.
Pain
Pain often
increases on exertion or bending forward. It can also be
triggered by coughing or straining and can be so severe that the
lower back becomes locked in sideways bending position
(scoliosis) caused by a strong contraction. Pain and
paraesthesiae (pins and needles) may be apparent in one or more
of these areas: the lower back, groin, perineum, buttock, hip,
back of the thigh, leg and foot or the sacroiliac (SI) joint.
Pain referred from trigger points in the gluteus medius is less
likely to involve the thigh; gluteus maximus trigger points
restricts flexion at the hip whilst piriformis trigger points
restricts medial rotation. Pain also occurs on rising from a
chair, particularly if sitting crossed legged, and remains as a
nagging pain when lying down causing disturbed sleep.
Symptoms
Sciatica is a
symptom not a cause thus the trigger points refer pain into the
lower back, either alongside the spine or across the back. The
trigger points in the hamstring muscles usually results in pain
being experienced on walking, possibly resulting in a limp.
Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body.
One of the conditions associated with the symptoms of sciatica
is piriformis syndrome, this is when the sciatic nerve is being
compressed by the piriformis going into spasm.
Sciatica is less
common than most people think, much less common than back pain.
It is often caused by standing or sitting badly, but the pain
can be made worse by bending without use of the legs or
unsupported twisted or sideways movements. Sciatica is pain in
the distribution of the sciatic nerve and is felt in the
buttocks and down the back of the leg. It is usually diagnosed
through a physical exam and an MRI scan. Sciatica is different
from other forms of low back pain because there are 2 sciatic
nerves, although the pain is usually just on the one side.
Piriformis Syndrome
The
piriformis is a muscle that lies beneath the gluteas maximus
muscle. Its main function is to turn the leg out. The sciatic
nerve originates from the lower back and is the main nerve root
for the other nerves that activates the lower extremities. This
nerve runs either through or just behind the piriformis muscle.
Piriformis syndrome is when the muscle is tense on an ongoing
basis, this can be caused by overuse, e.g. marathon running,
standing all day at work.
It can sometimes be caused by a weakening of the muscles through
lack of use e.g. sitting, although other muscles would be
involved as they would weaken also.
One of the indicators of this condition is a problem of turning
your leg out and a pain in the buttock area.
The sciatic nerve can be squeezed by this muscle causing
‘sciatica’, referred pain in the lower back and legs.
How can exercise help
The use of exercise, particularly stretching is extremely
effective in alleviating the symptoms of sciatica and piriformis
syndrome. Sciatica and piriformis syndrome will both cause
muscles to go into spasm, a spasm is when the muscle tighten
causing pain and a lack of movement/function in the associated
joints. The use of stretching exercises will help to keep the
muscles loose and supple, when you are able to keep this muscle
loose you will not get the referred pain associated with any of
these syndromes. The components that you need to keep yourself
free of the debilitating pain that these syndromes can bring can
all be found within the "Back Pain Management System".
