SCIATICA

Sciatica is a common term used to describe lower back pain, especially when there is associated referred leg pain. Sciatica usually occurs following injury to one of the discs in the lower back. The discs act as shock absorbers in the spine and may be injured in numerous ways, the most common being after heavy lifting or following maintaining prolonged positions eg gardening, prolonged sitting.

The type of pain associated with sciatica is usually a deep ache in the lower back with occasional sharp bursts of pain. There may also be leg pain which may radiate all the way down to the foot, and neurological signs which include pins and needles, numbness and occasionally weakness. Diagnosis of sciatica is made from the history of the client and can be confirmed with a CT scan or MRI scan.

Management of sciatica pain is dependent on the severity of the condition. Initially rest from the aggravating factors is required with some analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory medication. Physiotherapy is essential early on to allow for the healing of the injured disc and to promote adequate strengthening. Treatment will consist of spinal mobilisation of the injured vertebrae, massage to reduce muscle spasm, taping to support the injured area and an exercise program to get the spine moving again. As improvement occurs the exercise program will progress to spinal strengthening (eg a Pilates program) to stabilize and support the spine.

Only the most severe cases require further management other than physiotherapy and exercise. In these cases an epidural injection into the spinal canal can be tried. When all else fails, surgery is the last option. Surgical procedures such as lumbar microdiscectomy or spinal fusion are attempted to remove the cause of the sciatica pain.

Our Physiotherapists help these problems in a professional and caring manner and will advise you on how to avoid a reoccurrence of your problem.

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