Fitness and Wellness
Sciatica: Myths you have to be aware of
Monday, August 15, 2022
What’s Sciatica?
Sciatica is a type of pain that results due to pressure placed over the sciatic nerve that is caused through joining five nerve roots that originate from in the back of the spine. It runs deep into the muscles of the buttock and then downwards towards and along the back in the back of your thigh, before reaching the sole and heel.
What are the most common myths surrounding sciatica and what is the truth about the situation?
Myth 1. The most common cause of leg pain is sciatica. A pain radiating through the back of their legs may not be caused by the area of compression due to the back. Other factors can cause leg discomfort.
Myth 2. If you suffer from sciatica it is best to remain in bed and rest. It is preferential to remain active and avoid prolonged rest. Studies have shown that there is virtually any benefit of sleeping in bed as compared to being active.
Myth #3: Sciatica is a disorder. Sciatica is a sign that can be caused by a variety of ailments. Many people believe that if they suffer from sciatica they have an injured nerve located in the back. There are times when people experience muscle pain in the buttocks or the posterior hip. In the same way, just a little compression of the muscle can cause leg pain regardless of the condition within the back.
Myth 4. We aren’t sure the causes of sciatica. It is true that sciatica is because the sciatic nerve gets compressed or pinched, and this is typically caused by a bulging , or herniated disk that is located between the vertebrae of the lower spine.
It could result from a bone spur or a bony growth on the spine as a whole or caused by spinal stenosis, which is a shrinking or narrowing spinal canal. In rare instances the presence of an spinal tumor could cause compression of the nerve which can cause sciatic pain.
Myth5: The use of medication is the best method of relief from sciatica. Analgesics or an anti-inflammatory medication is a temporary solution however, it won’t resolve the root of the discomfort.
Myth #7: Sciatica is not preventable
Physical exercises that improve the strength of your core and improve posture when working or doing our daily tasks have been proven to be effective to decrease the incidence of sciatic pain.
Keep in mind this “True prevention doesn’t mean waiting for things to go wrong but preventing them from occurring at all”.
Mr . King’ori works as a physical therapist working at Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Health Center
We understand how important it is to choose a chiropractor that is right for you. It is our belief that educating our patients is a very important part of the success we see in our offices.
