Today, this has affected millions of people worldwide, but did you know that Sciatica treatment has a long and interesting history, dating back to ancient civilizations? If not, you are at the right place. This comprehensive guide explores what Sciatica is, its historical beginnings, how to identify it, and 10 ways to ease the pain in just 8 minutes.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is an acute and generally infrequent episode. These episodes are triggered in a slowly progressive condition like disc degeneration. In layman’s terms, it refers to the pain radiating along the sciatic nerve. Under this condition, the pain passes from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, and downward toward each leg. In addition, a few studies consider Sciatica a symptom rather than a specific diagnosis.
Sciatica is mostly caused by a herniated lumbar disc when the nerve root is squeezed by disc cartilage, which has ruptured through its surrounding annulus. In rare cases, it occurs due to foraminal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, malignancy, and lumbar stenosis.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Sciatica is usually based on the patient’s symptoms (the history of their specific condition) and the findings on physical examination, as recommended by clinical guidelines.
Common signs and symptoms that are indicative of sciatica include: the dominance of pain, the location of the leg pain (to see whether that pain radiates down below the knee or check if it is aligned with one or more dermatomes), paraesthesia or sensory loss, weakness or reflex changes in a myotomal distribution, and an increase in leg pain.
A physiotherapist in Khajuri Khas, Delhi starts the treatment with a physical check-up, reviewing the patient’s medical history, and suggesting imaging tests (like X-rays or MRIs) to confirm if the pain is sciatic. The main tests include a straight leg raise (SLR) Test, neurological testing, and postural assessment.
Historical Review
Pathology of the lumbar spine and leg pain was already identified by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. On the contrary, Hippocrates was the first to use the term Sciatica, from the Greek word for hip ‘ischios’.
In the past, only a free proportion of cases could be segregated and designated “symptomatic sciatica”, especially those having noticeable pathological changes like tumours and infections.
While the others were grouped under the heading “idiopathic sciatica”. Other than that, previously, there was disagreement about which part of the sciatic nerve triggers the pain.
The earlier references of Sciatica go back to:
➔ Ancient Egypt: Texts in Papyrus mention that leg pain was treated with herbal compresses and massages.
➔ Hippocrates (400 BC): They describe leg pain while suggesting traction and massage.
➔ Ayurvedic Medicine: During this phase, Sciatica was treated with oil massages, herbal remedies, and yoga-like stretches.
➔ Middle Ages: Treated with a variety of treatment types, including cupping therapy and herbal poultices.
How Do You Know If It is Sciatica?
Not all back pain is sciatica; however, the key to diagnosing it is via history and a focused examination. Keep in mind that the symptoms often get worse with sitting or coughing. Sometimes, patients may feel numbness or tingling in the leg.
A physical test from an expert physiotherapist in Khajuri Khas Delhi can confirm if the nerve is involved or not. Besides jumping straight to physical examination, you can also identify if the pain is due to Sciatica or not. Want to know? Here is how to know:
➔ Location of Pain: Remember, Sciatica pain travels from the lower back into your leg, mainly below the knee.
➔ Worsens with Movement: If the pain persists when sitting, sneezing, or standing up suddenly, know that it is Sciatica.
➔ Tingling or Numbness: You will feel a telltale sign like tingling or numbness that indicates nerve involvement.
➔ One Side Affected: It is seen that Sciatica usually affects one leg at a time, so be mindful.
10 Ways to Get Relief
There are so many techniques to provide short-term relief, but the aim is to get long-lasting relief. Here are 10 effective ways to relieve sciatica pain quickly and safely:
➔ Rest a While: The pain may increase if you keep on moving, so take it easy and rest for a while. Tip: Do not extend rest to hours as it will cause muscle weakness.
➔ Cat-Cow Pose: Cat-cow pose for Sciatica treatment increases spinal flexibility and reduces stiffness. Doing it is so easy: get on all fours, alternate between rounding your back while looking down and arching it while looking up to stretch your spine.
➔ Bridge Technique: The bridge technique will strengthen the glutes and provide fast relief from Sciatica. To do so, lie down on your back, bend your knees, and place your hands on your stomach while keeping your spine neutral, and finally lift your pelvis off the floor. The position must form a diagonal line from the head to the knees.
➔ Piriformis Stretch: If it is caused by piriformis syndrome, doing a piriformis stretch can cure this. To do that, sit on a chair, cross the affected leg, keep the back straight, lean forward to stretch the hip, and lower the back gently.
➔ Do Low-Impact Exercise: Exercises are beneficial anyway, so why not make it a routine? We are not saying that you should perform hardcore exercises every day. But you can keep it simple with low-impact workouts.
➔ Icing: Icing reduces inflammation and sensation around the affected Sciatica region. So, applying an ice pack for 10–15 minutes will let you feel pain-free. Quick tip: Use a towel to prevent frostbite.
➔ Swim: Water supports your body weight and reduces pressure on the spine. However, a small dip helps alleviate sciatica symptoms. Plus, it is a safe yet low-impact way to stay active and ease sciatica symptoms.
➔ Get Acupuncture Done: In some studies, there are references indicating that Acupuncture is beneficial for relieving Sciatica pain. It is because Acupuncture stimulates nerve fibres which inhibit pain signals.
➔ Have a Massage: Massage is beneficial for Sciatica, so book a sports massage or a deep tissue massage from experts. A gentle massage on the tissue in the glutes, thighs, calves, and lower back eases pain and provides moderate relief.
➔ Have Painkillers: If the pain seems unbearable, then have an over-the-counter painkiller to get some relief. For example, you can have paracetamol and ibuprofen. At the end, do not forget to visit your pharmacist, GP, or sciatica specialist, as they will recommend specific painkillers or a treatment approach/plan.
Conclusion
Sciatica is very painful and limiting when it comes to performing basic tasks like walking, running, and even sitting confidently. Know that relief is possible and often quicker than you think. Be it ancient remedies or modern therapy, a well-rounded approach is the key to pain-free living.
Having said that above, the diagnosis is based on the patient’s symptoms; accordingly, a therapist suggests a treatment plan. Meanwhile, for moderate relief, you can consider doing the ways listed in this guide.
A trusted, plus, experienced expert plays a huge role in your healing journey. So, opt for experts like physiotherapists in Khajuri Khas, Delhi, to get back on your feet.
