Not all people go to the hospital to treat a pinched sciatic nerve. Many simply do not pay attention to it or engage in self-healing. This is not to say that this is correct, but still someone even succeeds. Therefore, there is no clear statistics on how many people are affected annually by the disease. Read more later in the article.
Building
The nerve originates in the region of the sacrum, then passes through the thigh, covering all muscle fibers with its endings. At the popliteal fossa, there is a division into the peroneal and tibial nerves. This is how the connection with the central nervous system and the tissues of the foot and lower leg is carried out.
A large number of areas covered by the endings of the sciatic nerve, causes a picture of pinching such - pain can be everywhere: in the lower back or on the back of the thigh, there may be problems with the sensitivity of the fingerslegs and feet.
Some symptoms
Pinch of the sciatic nerve is a very serious disease that can lead to limited mobility and poor quality of life. However, inflammation may be the result, not the cause. Symptoms are:
- Pain is the most faithful companion of malaise. Its intensity depends on the cause of pinching of the sciatic nerve. Treatment and ways to relieve pain are recommended to be chosen only after identifying the causes. The disease manifests itself as heaviness, slight tingling, burning pain, or just numbness. When a person is at rest, pain attacks sometimes do not appear, but as soon as you get up or just change your position, the sensations return with renewed vigor. It is noteworthy that if one leg literally languishes from burning pain, a slight tingling may be observed in the other. With inflammation of the nervous tissue, the discomfort in the lower back is usually weaker than those in the leg. But still they cause a lot of discomfort.
- Intermittent claudication is the instinctive behavior of an affected person. The patient tries to shift the weight of the body to a he althy leg, while keeping the patient in a half-bent state. From the outside, it looks like the consequences of a severe injury, which led to a change in gait and limited mobility.
- Sensitivity - in the area subject to the conversion of the sciatic nerve, changes in the reaction of nerve endings are observed. It can be either low sensitivity or high.
- Unpleasant sensations - appear as a burning sensation,tingling or numbness. Usually seen on the buttocks, feet, toes and back of the legs.
- Decrease in the level of mobility - all the fault of the pain during flexion and extension of the joints of the knee and foot.
- Muscular degeneration - In the absence of treatment for a pinched sciatic nerve or in the process, the patient sometimes has to move around using assistive devices such as a cane, crutches or a wheelchair (depending on the severity of the ailment). As a result, the muscles of the legs do not function at their former strength and decrease. Often expressed in the fact that one leg visually looks thinner than the other.
- Rise in temperature - observed when swelling occurs in the lower back. Immediate contact with a doctor helps to eliminate the disease. You should not apply a hot heating pad to the affected area (this is best done after the swelling subsides), because this will even more blood flow to the lower back, which will worsen the situation.
Pain when pinching the sciatic nerve is far from the only problem. Patients may also suffer from impaired activity of organs located in the pelvic region. The disease results in pain when urinating, and also leads to problems with potency in men.
Sciatic nerve pinched symptoms are similar to a number of other diseases, so self-medication can worsen the situation. This is another reason why you should not put off a visit to a highly qualified specialist for the slightest burning sensation in the lower back or urination.
Reasons
It is known that not a single sore occurs by itself. Stress, malnutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, or an injury can be to blame. In any case, something should be changed so that the disease does not return again.
Diseases that can lead to pinching of the sciatic nerve will be discussed below.
Osteochondrosis
Progressing, the disease leads to the destruction of the vertebral cartilage, resulting in loss of flexibility and elasticity of the spine and problems with the intervertebral discs.
The causes of the appearance and development of osteochondrosis are conventionally divided into two types:
- exogenous (uneven load on the back - carrying weights, prolonged immobility with poor posture, as well as infections or weakened spinal muscles);
- endogenous (basically, these are the characteristics of the body: genetic predisposition, advanced age).
The disease often occurs in athletes, as doing exercises with large weights puts a significant strain on the spine. Even despite a well-trained body, no one can be immune from osteochondrosis. Especially if there is a lack of vitamins and microelements, and such important actions for the back as hyperextension (kneads the hip joint) and exercises on the horizontal bar (you can just hang on the bar or spin around) are missed.
When the discs are destroyed, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced. This leads to inflammation. Treating a pinched nerve withmassage therapy, gymnastics or folk methods.
It is important to timely and correctly determine the area of cartilage damage. For example, osteochondrosis that affects the cervical nerve can cause vomiting and tinnitus.
Spondylolisthesis
This word refers to the displacement of the vertebrae. May be the result of a minor injury, a hereditary disease, or the result of muscle and tendon weakness.
It is possible to identify a sore only with an X-ray examination. Prior to this, the patient is often not even aware of the presence of problems with the spine. As they say, until the thunder breaks out, the peasant does not cross himself - sometimes the displaced vertebrae do not cause any discomfort. This continues until the sciatic nerve is pinched. What to do in this situation?
It is recommended to call a doctor. If compression has resulted in lower limb failure, an injection of diclofenac will help. But the help of a specialist is needed, because you need to identify the root cause.
Spinal Stenosis
The disease is a consequence of osteochondrosis. In the last stages, the formation of osteophytes (growths in the spinal canal) begins. They arise in order to stabilize the position of the vertebrae. But in the end, they compress the blood vessels inside the canal, making it difficult for blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
Stenosis often results in nerve compression, low back pain, leg weakness, and loss of sensation and function in the pelvic organs. Acute pain will help relieve the same "Diclofenac", "Ketanov" or any other painkiller. When the sciatic nerve is pinchedpills will temporarily relieve discomfort, but a visit to the doctor cannot be postponed, because stenosis in most cases requires surgical intervention, although a number of anti-inflammatory, vascular drugs and analgesics are prescribed for treatment.
Piriformis Syndrome
Squeezing of the nerve by the muscle and the sacrospinous ligament is called this term. Discomfort manifests itself in the form of aching pain in the lower part of the lower back or in the buttocks when walking. The patient is forced to slow down and change gait slightly. More common in women than in men. High chance of developing intermittent claudication mentioned above.
The elimination of the disease occurs with medication (anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed) and through thermal and massage procedures. After that, wellness exercises are recommended in order to avoid a relapse.
Herniated disc
In general terms, the padding between the segments of the spine serves as a kind of shock absorber. Accordingly, with a significant load and compression of the vertebrae, the disc is strongly deformed, turning into protrusion. The resulting tumor (hernia) compresses the nerve process, which leads to pinching of the sciatic nerve.
What to do in this case? First of all, forget about lifting weights for the duration of the treatment. Symptoms are somewhat reminiscent of osteochondrosis: numbness or tingling in the lower extremities. A hernia is identified by additional signs, such as dysfunction of the pelvic organs.
Treatment is done with medication. If notconservative methods help, then surgical intervention is required. In addition, therapeutic massage and gymnastics will help to eliminate the consequences of a hernia. If the sciatic nerve is pinched, the same methods will have a result, sometimes they resort to therapy with multifunctional electrodes.
Cure
Pinch of the sciatic nerve is treated comprehensively, as it qualifies as a malaise provoked by other diseases. A blood test, radiography and magnetic tomography are performed. The first priority is to reduce pain to zero. Pain medications such as Ketoprofen, Nurofen, or Ibuprofen are used.
It should be understood that pills can have side effects on internal organs. Therefore, injections will be effective when the sciatic nerve is pinched. What are the best drugs to use? It is advisable to consult with your doctor. But usually they resort to the following medicines:
- Movalis.
- Diclofenac.
- Lidocaine.
- Ketonal.
- Novocaine.
Along with the above drugs, ointments are also effective. When pinching the sciatic nerve use:
- Nicoflex.
- Finalgon.
- Viprosal.
- Apizartron.
The composition is applied to the problem area and rubbed with smooth movements, restores blood circulation and dilates blood vessels, providing proper nutrition to nerve and muscle tissues.
Fromhomeopathic ointments are used "Traumeel C" or "Target T", their action is to relieve pain and inflammation. However, they are not recommended for patients with allergies to the components of the drug, pregnant and lactating women.
About what kind of massage they do
When the sciatic nerve is pinched, ointments are best used in combination with therapeutic massage. Such measures will help prevent relapse. Massaging is performed along the entire lower back and upper buttocks. Then, with your fingertips, you should stretch the muscles along the spine, indenting 2–3 cm.
Finding a sore spot, you should subject the area to rubbing with gentle circular motions. After five or seven minutes, the sensations of discomfort will be replaced by pleasant warmth. Now you need to use your fists - with gentle pressure, rub the lower back and buttocks.
How to treat at home?
Pinching of the sciatic nerve at home is eliminated by the massage described above. After pain relief, folk methods are used - lie down for a while on the "thorns" or apply a warm heating pad.
In addition, folk methods have proven themselves well:
- Celery Lotions.
- A honey-flour compress is rubbed on the lower back before going to bed, removed in the morning.
- Crushed bay leaves are mixed with vodka or alcohol, infused, and then rubbed over the sore spot throughout the course.
- Bath of crushed horse chestnut roots and oak bark. This treatment is not recommended.exercise more than 15 minutes.
Treatment of a pinched sciatic nerve at home will be productive if you add gymnastics as well. Any physical exercise is always effective, as it helps to warm up the muscles and keep them in good shape. You should not bother looking for any specialized techniques, because everything is elementary and simple.
Exercises for gymnastics with pinching of the sciatic nerve are as follows:
- push-ups;
- pull-ups;
- abs in a hanging position or lying down;
- twisting;
- hyperextension.
Conclusion
Summarizing, it should be said: the first thing to do when pinching the sciatic nerve is to relieve pain in one of the ways described above. And then immediately consult a doctor. Only a person with the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities will be able to correctly diagnose the disease and identify the cause. Healing at home does not always lead to a positive result, since there is no person nearby who has the necessary knowledge.
But the best way is to lead a he althy lifestyle, eat right and exercise. Then no disease will be terrible. And a mobile person is not afraid of either compression of nerve endings, or problems with the spine, or a cold or flu. Therefore, you should alternate sedentary office work with classes in the gym.
Be he althy!
