One very common condition that can affect adults at any stage of their lives, where the sciatic nerve running from the lower back down to the feet becomes compressed or irritated.
Symptoms can be incredibly painful and make it difficult for you to go about your normal everyday activities. They can often resolve themselves over the course of a couple of weeks, but equally they can also last longer if you’re unlucky.
To help you manage your condition, here are some frequently asked questions about sciatica that may prove useful. If you have any further queries, get in touch with the Clear Physio team today to see how we can help.
#1 What causes sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a slipped disc, where the tissue between the bones of the spine start to push out. It can also be caused by back injuries, spinal stenosis, where a part of the spine starts to narrow, and spondylolisthesis, where one of the bones in the spine slips out of position.
#2 How do you prevent sciatica?
There are ways in which you can reduce the chances of sciatica coming back, including getting regular exercise, maintaining good posture when sitting and standing, losing weight if necessary, and maintaining good technique when picking up heavy objects.
#3 How can sciatica be managed?
You can help improve your symptoms by carrying on as you would normally as far as is practicably possible, using heat packs on the affected areas and doing gentle exercises to encourage mobility.
#4 Can physio help with sciatica?
Physiotherapy is one of the best ways to treat sciatica and your therapist will devise a programme of exercises specifically tailored to you and your condition to help ease your symptoms. You may also be recommended treatments like acupuncture, ultrasound treatment and shockwave therapy.
