Pain in the leg can be caused by sciatica

Colloquially known as lumbago, irritation of the sciatic nerve is a painful condition that can be alleviated in many cases through targeted movements.

The cause of the often severe pain in the lower back, over the buttocks and into the leg, is a narrowing of the nerve canal between the vertebrae. Inserted here, between the intervertebral disc and the vertebrae, are the nerve roots that emerge from the spinal cord and then emerge as nerve bundles to supply the lower half of the body. If pressure is applied to these nerves, irritation occurs that radiates across the entire area. This is known as sciatica or lumbago.

The most common causes are a slipped disc, vertebral slippage or wear

Such a narrowing of the spinal canal with the nerve roots is in most cases caused by damage to the ring of the intervertebral disc. This serves as a buffer between the vertebrae and consists of a gelatinous fluid. In the case of a herniated disc, this ring is damaged and the fluid bulges outwards. It automatically presses on the canal, resulting in classic sciatica pain. If the intervertebral disc regenerates, the pain also subsides and eventually disappears again. The same applies to a narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis), which usually occurs from the age of 50 and is a typical side effect of wear and tear. The intervertebral disc is intact, only the vertebra moves significantly from the outside towards the vertebral body. The pressure on the nerve canal with the roots located in it increases. Similar to spondylosisthesis, a slipped vertebra. Only in rare cases is the cause of the radiating pain back pain a cyst or a tumor that is pressing on the nerve, or damage to neighboring nerve regions and joints. To find out, a visit to the Doctor recommended if the pain lasts longer than a week. health check is recommended in these cases. In case of very severe pain, an emergency doctor should be consulted immediately. However, as a rule, when the pressure decreases, the Back pain get better on their own.

Preventing and treating sciatica with exercise

The best way to relieve sciatica pain is to take the pressure off the sciatic nerve or the spinal canal. This is usually best achieved through exercise. If the vertebrae are pulled apart, the pressure that causes the pain disappears. Even everyday movements such as walking and cycling can be helpful. Swimming is also a good way to keep your back moving. As a precaution, strong abdominal and back muscles also help to keep the disc and spine stable, so that sciatica does not occur at all. The rule is to do what feels good. In some cases, physiotherapy can also be helpful. Here, correct movement sequences are taught and the necessary muscles are strengthened. Above all, however, you should be patient and give the body time to heal itself. It is fatal to lie down permanently in the hope that the pain will subside. This is because the narrowing between the vertebrae cannot open up when you are lying down. You should also maintain a normal weight, as excess weight puts unnecessary strain on the spine and the cushioning disc. Even in the case of acute lumbago, weight loss can open up the constriction. If the pain threatens to lead to tension, mild, non-prescription medication is useful for a short period of time to prevent cramping and poor posture. If, despite everything, it does not improve after some time, conventional methods such as treatment with cortisone must be considered. In very difficult cases, this can also be an operation. A discussion in our practice clinic will help you make the right decision.