The term refers to a dull, deep pain that most commonly affects one of the legs. If you have sciatica. It usually starts in your lower back and travels down into your buttock and down the back of your thigh. It can also affect other areas such as the foot or both legs. The root cause of many cases is a slipped disc. Here we will talk about handling sciatica without surgery.
What are the most common symptoms of sciatica?
Below I have outlined a few of the more common complaints that we hear from patients in our outdoor patient department.
My lower back is killing me! It feels like someone is sticking a knife in it. There may be pain with moving, sitting, or standing. Pain as well as numbness and/or tingling down your leg, foot drop. And in complicated conditions- loss of bladder and bowel control—the list goes on. Sometimes the pain even radiates into your thigh or buttock. You may have weakness in one hamstring muscle causing you to limp when walking. If this sounds familiar, it’s likely that you have sciatica.
It felt like somebody punched me in the lower back. I was bent over the table when it happened. And felt a nauseating pain, then had trouble standing up straight. This can happen after lifting something too heavy or even sneezing. It is the instability in your spine that comes from having a disc bulge or herniate.
What does sciatica feel like?
Sciatica pain is- a sharp or burning pain shooting down from the lower back into one leg. But can also affect both legs. The pain may be mild to severe and usually worsens with activity, such as walking or climbing stairs. It is often accompanied by numbness, tingling, muscle weakness or cramping, and/or loss of bladder & bowel control. Pain can radiate into the foot also known as “foot drop.” Sciatica rarely occurs without other symptoms accompanying it.
What causes sciatica?
Discs sits between the vertebrae of your spine. They are made up of strong, but flexible tissue and act as cushions for the bones. When one of these discs becomes damaged or weak. It bulges out and puts pressure on a nearby nerve resulting in sciatica pain.
Another common situation is spinal stenosis. Which occurs when spinal bone spurs cause too much pressure on the nerves exiting the spine. These bone spurs caused by degeneration (normal wear-and-tear) or simple aging. Many back problems are related to problems with disks and/or these bone spurs. These are scoliosis, facet syndrome, arthritis, osteoporosis, collapsed sacrum, or even spinal stenosis.
Which discs are responsible in causing sciatica?
The most common discs that cause sciatica are L4/L5, L5/S1 and S1/S2. At the bottom of your spine (L4/L5 or L5-S1 discs), there are two small disc spaces. These discs have an important function in our body and provide cushioning between the vertebrae.
How can I get rid of my sciatica pain?
When you have a slipped disc or nerve compression related to sciatica, most doctors will prescribe pain medication to reduce the inflammation on the nerve as well as provide temporary relief from symptoms. Other non-surgical solutions include medications, physical therapy, and spinal injections. Surgical treatments such as discectomy (removing part of your herniated disc), laminectomy (removal of a portion of one or more laminae in order to decompress the nerves), and spinal fusion may also be recommended, depending on the situation.
What may be wrong with your back?
Many people come into our office complaining that their back hurts because of spasms that make them feel as if someone is sticking a knife in their back. The range of motion may be limited and the muscles are tender to touch. This condition is usually caused by muscle tension (myofascial pain).
Chronic myofascial pain can associate with stress, trauma, or simply a sedentary lifestyle. But it also can occur for no apparent reasons. When it is just an acute episodes of muscle spasms can be resolved with stretching exercises and physical therapy.
What are the complications of surgery for sciatica?
All surgery has risks, including infection or nerve damage. If you decide on this procedure, make sure that your surgeon is a specialist in sciatica and minimally invasive spinal surgical techniques to decrease the risk of complications.
Another serious complication is secondary herniation. If your spinal surgeon removes a portion of one intervertebral disc and parts of the vertebrae, there is always a risk that more discs will get herniated down the road. This can cause further back pain and future fusion surgeries.
We are glad you found our website. As an Ayurvedic expert, we don’t perform surgery. Because it is not required in most cases where there is stiffness or tightness in muscles, which is usually caused by some sort of trauma or repetitive movement (stress). We perform conservative treatments to get you feeling better without resorting to invasive procedures with all their inherent risks. Our patients have had excellent results and would be happy to share their experiences with anyone who is considering back surgery.
What does Ayurveda say about sciatica?
Ayurveda describes sciatica as a condition caused by the following factors:
1. Unstable Vata in the body that causes nerve instability and can lead to muscle spasms, inflammation, and pain.
2. Pinched Nadi Sushumna (the central channel of energy running up your spine) due to:
A combination of Dushpara (obstructions from outside – toxins/toxins exposure, etc) and Trishna (long-term mental stress).
How should Ayurvedic treatment for back pain be approached?
Ayurveda takes a holistic approach for treating any kind of disease or symptoms that manifest in different areas of your body including diseases affecting your spinal column. Natural therapies to treat back pain aim at improving the balance of doshas in your body and stimulating your nervous system.
Some of the key ayurvedic treatments for sciatica include:
Ayurvedic herbs/supplements – Both have strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Yoga – helps strengthen muscles, increase blood circulation, and improve range of motion. Panchakarma – Along with massage, this is also a great way to ease out tension.
Colon cleanses/Basti program – Cleansing the colon- Basti will help remove toxins that may be causing nerve irritation and other health problems within your digestive tract or intestines that can cause sciatica.
What should you avoid?
Some things to avoid include:
• Smoking – Aside from being a major cause of lung damage, it can also lead to poor circulation and damaged nerves in your body which makes sciatica worse.
• Refined foods/junk foods – These contain excess processed sugar and salt that can contribute to inflammation within the body and increase nerve irritation leading to back pain.
Know more about- Food you should take for slip disc.
For more information on Ayurvedic treatments for sciatica or natural techniques that may help alleviate symptoms, please feel free to contact us any time at 9050802060. We will be happy to answer any questions or set up an appointment with our Chief physician Vaidya Dr. Pardeep Sharma if needed.
- Get rid of sciatica and all its complications.
- No chance of surgeries or any other risk that spine surgery poses.
Emotional benefits: - Feel relief from the pain and discomfort you feel in your lower back, legs, and hips.