The longest nerve in the human body is the sciatic nerve, which begins in the lower back (in the lumbar region) and, splitting in two, stretches through the buttocks, thighs and calves to the feet. It is this nerve that provides our legs with mobility, connecting their muscles with the central nervous system.
And then one day, for one reason or another, the sciatic nerve turns out to be irritated or pinched. Often the case is in an intervertebral hernia, when the protruding part of the intervertebral disc begins to press on the sciatic nerve. As a result, the lower back and / or leg hurts along its entire length. And then we are talking just about pinching the sciatic nerve (in another way, this condition is called sciatica).
Other causes of the disease can be:
- bone spur;
- received injury (any);
- diabetes;
- tumors.
How to figure out if it is sciatica?
It is possible to assume that the sciatic nerve is pinched if:
- pain extends to only one leg;
- pain sensations are localized in the buttock and descend into the leg from time to time;
- the pain is of a different nature: it "shoots", then it whines, then it burns;
- pain is complemented by tingling, numbness, muscle weakness in the injured leg;
- the state depends on the posture of the body, some kind of movement;
- the pain worsens if you sneeze or cough;
- after resting lying down (night sleep), the condition worsens.
Go to the doctor for help: when?
Sciatica attacks usually do not last long. And their pain is gradually reduced, and after a week, at most two, and disappears altogether. If you do yoga and stretch your lower back and hips with special exercises, the pain goes away faster.
But you should definitely consult a specialist if the pain:
- lasts longer than a week;
- does not get smaller, despite the care and pain relievers;
- gets worse over time;
- makes itself known more and more often.
A pinched sciatic nerve is not treated by a therapist. He only sends the patient to a narrower specialist: a surgeon, neurologist, endocrinologist, orthopedist. And already he makes the diagnosis and determines the treatment.
An ambulance should be called when:
- Severe pain in the leg and / or lower back came on suddenly;
- the pain appeared after an injury (accident, falls, including from a height, etc.);
- in addition to pain, muscle weakness is felt;
- against the background of pain, there is no control over the bladder and / or intestines.
Sciatica treatment
It is indicated if there are dangerous symptoms described above. Depending on what kind of diagnosis was made, as well as on what condition the patient is in, there may be prescribed anti-inflammatory and / or anticonvulsant drugs, as well as injections of corticosteroids, muscle relaxants. In addition, the patient may be referred for physiotherapy. And in especially difficult cases - to recommend a surgical operation.
However, you can often get rid of sciatica pain with home remedies if:
- put cold compresses in the first 2 days;
- make warm compresses, starting from the 3rd day;
- take an ibuprofen-based pain reliever;
- move more;
- regularly do exercises for stretching and "twisting" the back;
- hang on the horizontal bar, relaxing your torso and legs.
Want to know more about medicine? Do not forget to support our channel in Yandex. Zen likes and subscriptions. This motivates us to publish more interesting content. You will also be able to quickly learn about new publications.
