In our day to day lives, we all get aches and pains which might worry us. Many people around the world suffer with sciatica without even realising it.
Sciatica is described on the NHS website as ‘where the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is irritated or compressed. It usually gets better in 4 to 6 weeks but can last longer.’ Sciatica can feel like a shooting pain up and down your legs, bottom and back, all the way into your feet. It can seriously affect your mobility, sleeping and general routine if you get it.
So what are the treatments available for sciatica, and how can you prevent it? Read on to find out!
Preventing Sciatica
Of course, the best way to treat an illness is to prevent it in the first place. Sciatica often occurs in people who sit for a long period of time at a desk each day, because it involves the trapping and compressing of a spinal nerve. So to prevent sciatica, it’s all about staying active. Try getting up out of your chair every hour for a minute or two, touching your toes and walking around your house or office to get your nerves and muscles moving.
In addition, stretching regularly, doing gentle sports such as yoga and pilates can help keep the nerves in your spine comfortable and well exercised!
Treating Sciatica
If you already have sciatica, there are ways to help treat it and make the symptoms go away faster. Here’s how to make yourself more comfortable and get rid of this painful condition.
Heat Packs
Applying heat packs to the painful areas can help relieve the symptoms of sciatica and keep you going in your daily routine.
Painkillers.
Painkillers won’t make sciatica go away, but they can help you feel more comfortable. Particularly if you are losing sleep or finding it difficult to work, go for walks or do regular chores, it is important to take effective painkillers prescribed by your GP.
Yoga and Pilates - Or Any Gentle Exercise
Even if you are experiencing painful sciatica symptoms it is crucial that you try to move your body in any gentle way. This could be going for walks, stretching, or practising gentle yoga or pilates to move and stretch the muscles which support your spine.
Sciatica Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy as a Sciatica Treatmenthas also been proven to help people who are suffering with repeated symptoms of sciatica. The treatment can be varied from patient to patient and from case to case, but in general, consulting a physiotherapist at a specialist centre is a great idea if you are experiencing sciatica. If you wish to find out more, there is information Available At Ck Physio Website.
Surgery
In very severe cases, doctors can recommend surgery to help decompress the nerves in your spine.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that our health should be taken very seriously. If you are experiencing symptoms of sciatica, always consult your GP for more advice.
Love T x