Sciatica – What Causes It and How to Treat It?

Sciatica (lumboischialgia)

Sciatica is also called lumboischialgia and is characterised by pain that radiates down the leg, usually on one side. Most cases of sciatica pain resolve with treatment within a few weeks. It is important to note that the pain can be reduced by avoiding activities that trigger the characteristic pain.

What causes sciatica?

The most common causes are:

• excessive physical activity that puts strain on the lumbar spine
• weakness of the trunk muscles that should take on part of that load
• incorrect movements

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Pain that radiates from the lower back to the buttocks and down the leg may indicate sciatica.

Discomfort can be felt almost anywhere along the nerve, and the pain can range from mild to severe, getting worse when:

• sitting
• standing
• bending over
• twisting the trunk

How is sciatica treated?

The goals of sciatica treatment are:

1. relieving pain and neurological symptoms caused by pressure on the nerve
2. eliminating the cause of the problem by strengthening targeted muscles and correcting the incorrect movements that led to it
3. Treating overloaded muscles to reduce pain and improve their function (manual techniques, electrotherapy);
4. Targeted exercises to strengthen the trunk muscles (core and glutes) so that they take on the load, relieve the spine and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve;
5. Adjusting your working posture can be a significant part of therapy and prevention — the position in which you spend at least 8 hours a day is not unimportant.

80% of the population experience pain in the lumbar spine at some point in their lives, and the problem can be treated very effectively.