How to Fix Sciatica
A major problem that some patients in our clinic face is dealing with Sciatica. In this blog, we will cover what Sciatica is, what causes Sciatica, and how to fix Sciatica.
What is Sciatica?
It is very common for patients to come to our clinic with lower back pain, and Sciatica falls into that category.
But what is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a specific form of lower back pain that is arguably the most severe and is often characterised by having a severe pain running right down the back of your leg and into your toes.
If you have, or are currently suffering with Sciatica, then you know that the pain is horrendous.
What Causes Sciatica?
Now we have answered the question: What is Sciatica? we can look at what causes Sciatica.
One of the main causes of Sciatica, and the main reasons Sciatica continues to get worse and worse over time, is the amount of time spent sitting.
With the cold weather, dark nights, strong winds and even some snow, it is very tempting to stay indoors, skip your usual exercise routine, and spend hours binge watching your favourite TV shows on the sofa.
In fact, with frost and ice on the ground, it could be argued that it is sensible to stay indoors if you are worried about slipping and hurting yourself.
However, by sitting more than you probably know you should, you are making your sciatica worse by adding pressure to your lower back, and so onto your Sciatic nerve.
Eventually, a disc at the bottom of your back will give up and the fluid inside it touches the nerve which runs down your leg, and you are experiencing Sciatica.
It can cause pins and needles in your foot, numbness, and a cold sensation as well as the agonising pain – and unfortunately, it’s often such a strong feeling that no medication can ease it – Morphine included.
How to Fix Sciatica
So far, we have answered the question “What is Sciatica?” and “What Causes Sciatica?” and if you have read this far, it is safe to assume that you would LOVE to know how to fix Sciatica, right?
A lot of people, including some GPs seem to think that the only way to fix Sciatica is to take painkillers, rest, and hope that it will go away on its own.
However, we, and a long list of past patients who came to us know that there is something that can be done to fix Sciatica.
Physio CAN help, despite what your friends, family and GP may have told you in the past…
It’s not a magic, quick-fix solution, and it can get worse before it gets better – but it DOES get better.
To fix Sciatica, there are specific exercises that are required, and if you stick with them, the pain will begin to become more bearable, and you will be able to get back to doing the things you love.
Another way to fix Sciatica is to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting, as this will relieve pressure on the lower back, and your Sciatic nerve. You don’t need to be running marathons but making a conscious effort to get more steps in will improve your lower back pain as a whole and contribute to reducing the pain from Sciatica.
Finally, we have some patients who come into the clinic with Sciatica, or general lower back pain and say that sitting doesn’t make things worse. However, they are slouched, or sitting in a modified position (often unconsciously) to avoid the pain. This makes the whole thing last longer, and often leaves the person with an awkward looking posture once the lower back pain or Sciatica has gone away.
So now you know how to fix Sciatica, we would encourage you to seek help, as unless you are in the small 5% of people whose only option is surgery, there ARE things you can do. In the short term, the pain may become worse, but in the long term, it CAN improve.
What we would ask you to consider is:
If you have already tried painkillers, resting, and hoping that it goes away on its own, and you are still suffering with lower back pain, and Sciatica, you know it’s not going to fix itself.
We have helped hundreds of Sciatica patients, and thousands of patients in our clinics -Patients who were probably very similar to you; worried about losing their independence and scared that they would be unable to do the day-to-day things like work, shopping and looking after their children and grandchildren.
Patients who have stopped doing the things that they loved like taking their dogs for long walks on the beach, cycling and pilates classes with friends, and missing out on family activities because they simply cannot get out of the house due to lower back pain and Sciatica.
If you want to find out more about how our friendly, and experienced physiotherapists can help you, there are a few options:
To get more expert information right now, you can download our free report by clicking the link below:
Download The Free Back Pain Report: How to Put an End to Back Pain and Stiffness – Without Taking Painkillers, Without Risking Surgery and Without Having to Wait to See the GP!
Or if you want to speak to one of our brilliant physiotherapists, you can simply complete our online enquiry form and book a free 30-minute taster session where we will discuss your specific problems, answer any questions you have and identify the best route to fix your Sciatica and lower back pain.
Most importantly, we will listen to everything that you have to say, and tailor our advice to you – we won’t just fob you off with “rest and painkillers” advice that you might have received in the past.
It only takes a minute to complete, so click the link below to book a taster session and one of our team will contact you as soon as possible to arrange it.
Arrange a Free Taster Consultation with One of Our Expert Physiotherapists
Finally, if you are reading this with a loved one in mind, please share this blog with them so they don’t have to suffer with the excruciating pain of Sciatica any longer than they need to.
For more expert advice, read our other blogs or check out our YouTube channel:
Read Our Blog – What Are The Signs Of Sciatica Improving?
Read Our Blog – Why Does My Sciatica Cause Pain Down the Back of My Leg?
Read Our Blog – Back Pain: The Real Problem With Sciatica And What To Do About It
Visit Our Paul Gough Physio Rooms YouTube Channel
You might know Paul as an expert Columnist who writes weekly health articles for TWO of the North East's biggest daily Newspapers, The Northern Echo And The Hartlepool Mail, he is a regular Speaker at Industry Seminars around the globe and a Radio Personality, often heard on the BBC. Paul has been an expert guest on dozens of Radio shows and regularly interviewed in newspapers, magazines and trade journals all over the world, including the Guardian.
Paul’s background included working extensively in the Premier League with a Top Professional Football Team, and since quitting his job in Professional Football in 2007, his Physio Practice has become the fastest growing in the UK and biggest in the North East. So successful, that companies like BUPA, ASDA, The Vela Group And Coast & Country, repeatedly retain his Physio company's services to keep healthy their own staff and workforce. Paul Gough Physio Rooms is now a large multi-physio, multi clinic speciality practice in Darlington, Durham, Guisborough and Hartlepool.
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