What is a Sciatica?

What is a Sciatica?
Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan

DEFINITION – What is a Sciatica?

Sciatica (pronounced sigh-at-eh-kah), is a term used to refer to the pain that radiates from the lower lumbar area of the back down through the back of the thigh at the buttocks and into the backs of your legs past the knee. Named for the sciatic nerve through which the pain travels, sciatica is often called simply, ‘sciatic nerve pain’. The pain itself can present as anything from mild and slightly troublesome burning sensation to severe and hobbling and normally is accompanied by numbness and weakness along the length of just one leg.

Sciatica is the result of the sciatic nerve (the body’s longest nerve) being irritated by any number of things, most commonly a herniated lumbar disc pushing directly into (also known as a pinched nerve). Other causes include irritation from a nearby bone, muscle, tumor, or infection, and depending on the severity of the irritation, pain can flare up quite quickly. However, sciatica normally presents itself as an acute issue, disappearing as quickly as it came, and is seldom a chronic condition causing long-term suffering.

BREAKING DOWN – Sciatica

The term ‘Achilles tendon’(or ‘heel’) originates from Homer’s lliad, in which Achilles is the greatest warrior; a hero in greek mythology. According to legend, his mother, the immortal nereid Thetis, dipped baby Achilles by the ankle into the River Styx. Known for its powers of invulnerability, the river clad Achilles in an invisible, impenetrable shield. Unfortunately, the ankle by which he was held was not so cloaked and he was eventually felled from a poison dart. For this reason, we refer to a weak spot as the achilles heel.

In truth, the Achilles tendon is thick and strong, measuring about 6 inches long (15 cm) for the average adult and yet even still, an injury to the achilles tendon can be extremely painful and debilitating. In normal exercise such as walking or swimming, it receives a stress load of as much as 4 times body weight, and when running, that can double. Under such heavy stress, injuries occur more frequently- it’s important that athletes are using proper equipment and techniques.

bold

Share this article

About Athlete’s Choice Massage

Athlete’s Choice Massage was created to provide consistently excellent rehabilitative services for health-conscious people. Our team is extremely well-trained and they take pride in their work. They are constantly striving to learn and better themselves in their respective fields so that they can help you recover and aid in the maintenance of your well-being.

best massage Edmonton

All appointments will begin with a short but in-depth one-on-one assessment. This is your opportunity to point out what area you’d like to work on during your time, as well as identify any special requests or concerns you may have. Should you have more than one area of concern, your therapist will prioritize the chief complaint and create a treatment plan for the time allotted and for follow-ups as needed.

Please note our 24 Hour Cancelation Policy.

With massage therapy being covered by many people’s extended health care benefits, it is now easier than ever to experience the positive effects of therapeutic massage.

DYNAMIC

Frequently Asked Question

When a massage is administered, your body reacts to the pressure and movement of the massage therapist’s hands in a variety of ways. As your body relaxes, the massage prompts the release of hormones and Read More

I am item content. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

I am item content. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

I am item content. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

I am item content. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain that radiates from the lower back down through the buttocks and into one or both legs. It is caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body.

 

The most common symptom of sciatica is pain that radiates from the lower back down through the buttocks and into one or both legs. Other symptoms may include numbness or tingling in the affected leg, weakness in the affected leg, and difficulty standing up or walking.

 

Sciatica can be caused by a variety of factors, including a herniated disc, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis (a condition in which one vertebra slips out of place), or a pinched nerve due to injury or overuse.

 

Treatment for sciatica typically involves a combination of rest, pain medication, physical therapy, and exercise. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve the compression on the sciatic nerve. A healthcare provider can recommend the best course of treatment based on the individual’s symptoms and overall health.