Myths and Misconceptions of Sciatica
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Sciatica happens when the sciatica nerve is injured, irritated, or compressed. The Sciatic is the longest nerve in your body. It travels from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Pain along the sciatic nerve is the main symptom of sciatica. Other symptoms include muscle weakness and tingling or numbness that radiates to the leg. Herniated or bulging disc is the main cause of sciatica. Sciatica near Marshall Campus can also result from spinal stenosis, tumors, or bone spurs. Sciatica pain varies in different patients. It can be burning, stabbing, or shooting pain. The pain can worsen if you sit or stand for a prolonged time. People associate sciatica with various myths and misconceptions, which include:
Exercise worsens sciatica
Although limited movement and rest can help when sciatica first flares up, long periods of inactivity can worsen your pain. Exercise helps relieve pain and heal the underlying problem. It also improves muscle and bone strength, preventing future recurrences. Depending on your symptoms, your physical therapist can recommend the best exercises for you. Activity promotes healing in damaged and inflamed tissue, quickening the recovery period.
All leg pain results from sciatica
Not all leg pain is caused by sciatica. Leg pain can result from vascular problems, muscle strains, joint issues, or other nerve-related conditions. Sciatica causes pain that runs from the lower back to the mid-buttock down the back of the leg. The pain mostly runs past your knee down through the calf.
The cause of sciatica is unknown
Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, compressed, or pinched. It is mostly caused by a herniated or bulging disc between the vertebrae of your lower spine. Sciatica can also result from spinal stenosis, narrowing of your spinal canal, or bony growth like a bone spur. Rarely does sciatica result from tumors in your spine.
Sciatica cannot cause permanent damage
People assume sciatica only causes pain and cannot cause permanent damage. Severe irritation of your sciatica nerve can lead to permanent nerve damage. Permanent nerve impairment can cause muscle weakness, balance loss, inability to walk or stand for prolonged periods, and loss of bowel or bladder control.
Sciatica is a disease
Most people believe sciatica is a disease, but it is several symptoms indicating irritation of your sciatic nerve. Pain is the most common symptom of sciatica. You can experience it along the course of your sciatic nerve anywhere from your lower back down to your foot. Other symptoms include tingling, numbness, or weakness. Sciatica indicates an underlying condition.
There is no cure for sciatica
There are various treatment techniques that can cure sciatica. Your doctor can recommend medications, injections, physical therapy, or stretching exercise to improve your sciatica pain. If you have severe pain or your symptoms do not improve with other treatments, your provider may recommend surgery. Your doctor’s treatment method depends on the cause of your sciatic symptoms.
Sciatica occurs when the sciatica nerve is injured, irritated, or compressed. It can result from herniated discs, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis. Your doctor can treat sciatica through medications, physical therapy, or surgery. Schedule an appointment at Pain Management 360 for sciatica treatment to relieve your pain.
