While it may be obvious that no form of pain is welcome, it can be said that pain which is felt on account of being affected by sciatica is especially unwelcome. Taking that into due account, the good news is that physiotherapy can go a long way in helping by improving this sort of pain.

The longest nerve in the whole human body is the sciatic nerve, so it can be expected that when there is trouble with this nerve, the pain would be pretty significant. The leg pain which is caused to a person when this nerve happens to be getting pinched is known as sciatica.

There is a range of treatments when it comes to how something as painful as sciatica is to be solved. Now, while it is true that a solution such as making sure there is an amount of bed rest which is sufficient is very important, to say the very least, it is often the case that the person with sciatica would like his or her recovery to be hastened.

In order to make sure that this is the case, physiotherapy is quite useful. There are various forms of physiotherapy which can be made use of, and the decision as to which sort of physiotherapy a person would be best suited to would obviously be part of the subjective assessment of the person by a practitioner who is well qualified and experienced.

Some of the solutions when it comes to physiotherapy being used in order to treat sciatica are quite innovative, to say the very least. For example, there is physiotherapy instrument mobilisation, which is also known as PIM. What this entails is that a mechanical spring-loaded instrument is used in the process which serves the purpose of mobilising the spinal cord of a person along with his or her peripheral joints.

One form of physiotherapy oriented treatment which is used to address the issue of sciatica is real-time ultrasound physiotherapy. It can be said that this is not close to as cutting edge as physiotherapy instrument mobilisation is but it does serve as a rather dependable and useful way to battle sciatic pain. This form of physiotherapy makes use of ultrasound technology to analyse how the muscles function and then using that as a basis to create a list of physiotherapy exercises to be done by the person who is having sciatica. Rather than medicines, physiotherapy improves sciatica by getting a person to use oneself!

How Can Physiotherapy Help With Sciatica Pain?

The pain in the lower extremity of the body caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve (the large nerve running down from the lower back of the body to each one of the legs) is referred to as Sciatica. Sciatica is caused by injury, inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve and causes pain or numbness spreading to leg, buttocks, and hips. In Ayurveda, Sciatica is known by the name of Gradhrasi. It is believed to be aggravated by the imbalance of Vata Dosha.


Causes -

Sciatica can be caused by strenuous physical activity such as heavy weight lifting, or to exposure to extreme cold. Pressure on buttocks due to sitting or lying continuously for long hours, injury due to a fractured pelvis or trauma to thighs also damages the sciatic nerve.


Symptoms -

Pain in the back and the lower extremity of the body is the primary symptom of Sciatica. Also, there is a burning or tingling sensation in the affected area. It can also become numb. One may even find it difficult to walk. In severe cases, it becomes impossible to bend the knee or move the foot.


Treatment Through Ayurveda -

Through Ayurveda, Sciatica can be treated internally and externally by balancing the energies involved in the doshas:

Internal methods of treatment: Yogaraja Guggulu is the herbal pill consisting of Guggulu resin, twenty-five types of herbs and ghee effectively treats all types of pain associated with the nervous system. Dashamula Arishta, an elixir having sixty-three herbs, jaggery, plums, honey, and water has anti-inflammatory properties which help in toning up the affected nerve.

External methods of treatment: Application of Sarshapadi medicinal oil (made up of camphor, mustard oil, and vegetable turpentine as a base) on the affected area helps in relieving pain.

Panchakarma therapies are very effective in the treatment of this condition. They aim to relieve inflammation and release nerve compressions and spasms for strengthening the entire spine and the surrounding tissue. Generally, treatment through the Panchkarma therapies takes four to five weeks depending upon the severity of the condition. Following are some of the processes involved in treatment through Panchakarma:

Kativasti and Elakizi, Naranga Kizhi, Navarakizhi are very important in the treatment of sciatica.

Sarwang Abhyang is the full body massage with medicated warm oils for lubricating and nurturing the body for the pacification of Vayu.

Swedana refers to steaming the body for detoxification.

Vasti refers to the administration of medicated oils and decoction through anal route for treating the vatic disorder that is Sciatica as per Ayurveda. It pacifies dryness and strengthens intestines and is one of the permanent cures for most of the vatic disorders.

Siravedha is the venous puncture or venesection.

Agnikarma is the Cauterisation or burning the affected part.

Raktamokshan is the process for Blood purification.

Take Away-

Sciatica refers to the pain in the lower body due to an irritated sciatic nerve, caused due to nerve compression or trauma or injury. Through Ayurveda, Sciatica can be treated through internal or external methods as well as through Panchakarma therapies.

Sciatica - Panchakarma Therapy To Heal It!

Sciatica is a very common neuropathic pain that is caused by damage to the sciatic nerve, a large nerve that runs from the lower back region down the end of each leg. It is the largest single nerve in the body.
This condition affects around 4 out of 10 people at some point of their lives. The nature of the pain varies from a mild ache to a sharp stinging sensation and may cause feelings of numbness and extreme weakness.

Causes of sciatica
The causes for the onset of sciatica are numerous. Some of them are as follows:
-slipped lumbar disc
-muscle inflammation
-internal bleeding
-pregnancy
-obesity
-awkward sleeping position
-uncomfortable footwear
-spinal injury

How can physical therapy help?
There are many ways of treating sciatica, such as medication, acupuncture and surgery, which can provide relief. The most common and easy treatment method however is physical therapy. A progressive and controlled exercise routine that is specifically tailored to the nature of the condition in consultation with a physical therapist acts as an effective remedy in treating the problem. It alleviates pain and also eliminates the chances of relapse.

Physical therapy exercises used to treat sciatica are of many types. They are a combination of core strengthening, muscular stretching and aerobic conditioning routines, which aim at correcting the root of the problem.

The different types of exercises employed to treat sciatica include the following:
Strengthening exercises
These aim at strengthening the spinal column and the pelvic region, which includes the hips and buttocks. They help in making the muscles and ligaments in this region more robust and allow for improved flexibility and support. Lunges and squats are some of the examples.

Stretching exercises
These provide pain relief through improved agility and flexibility. The most important aspect of these routines is stretching and exercising the hamstring. Hamstring, stretches, calf stretches and tricep stretches are a part of stretching exercises.

Aerobic conditioning
These are cardiovascular exercises of low intensity, which provide pain relief through the release of endorphins and the facilitation of fluid and nutrient exchange. Examples of these are swimming and brisk walking.

Reduce Sciatica Pain With Physical Therapy

The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body. It goes from the lower back all the way down to the base of the leg. When there is a disorder associated with the sciatic nerve, it is known as Sciatica. 

Sciatica, however, does not necessarily need a surgery or a very elaborate procedure to fix the problem. Most commonly, it is treated simply by practicing a number of simple exercises. Here are some of the most common exercises prescribed to treat Sciatica:

1. Reclining Pigeon Pose:
There are three main forms of the pigeon pose. These are sitting, reclining and then forwarding. It is recommended that if you have very recently started your treatment for Sciatica, then certainly you should go for the reclining pose. In this pose, you are supposed to hold your left leg in the air at a right angle to your back. Then, hold your ankle against the knee. Finally, repeat this stretch with the right leg as well.

2. Knee to Opposite Shoulder:
In this stretch, the starting position is on your back side. You have to have your legs out and feet upwards. From this position, try to bring your right leg towards your left shoulder. Hold this for 30 seconds and then release and relax. Repeat this activity three times and repeat the whole procedure with your other leg. Only take your leg as far as it goes.

3. Sitting Spinal Stretch:
At the start of this exercise, sit on the ground with your legs going straight outwards and your feet flexed in the upward direction. Pull your left knee and put it on the outside of your right knee. Finally, place your right elbow on the left knee, so that your body turns to the left. Hold for 30 seconds and then relax. Repeat the procedure with the other knee.

4. Standing Hamstring Stretch:
Put your foot on an elevated surface such that it is above the floor, but not above hip level. Flex your toes forward such that your feet and legs are nearly in a straight line. Bend as far towards the foot as possible. However, do not stretch so far that you feel pain. Finally, repeat this procedure on the other side after release.

Exercises For Sciatica

Exercises for Sciatica
Sciatica is often distinguished not as a medical condition but as a set of symptoms that underlie a more serious medical concern such as a slipped disc, degeneration of the spine or the lumbar region etc.
It is important to note the symptoms of Sciatica, as these are quite distinct -
1.Constant pain in one of the buttocks or leg (rarely are both legs affected)
2.The pain worsens on sitting
3.The pain is often described as a sharp & searing pain similar to a burning sensation
4.The pain is often accompanied by a heaviness or numbness that makes movement difficult
5.Shifting of postures (sitting to standing and back to sitting) becomes painful and laborious
An alternative to surgery would be to supplement the oral medication with certain specific exercises.
Reflexology, Acupuncture and Chiropractic manipulation are all considered effective to alleviate the pain to a large extent.
Patients are often encouraged to partake in daily exercise routine, incorporating strengthening and stretching exercises.
The strengthening exercises target the core or abdominal muscles along with the back muscles to provide more support to the back.
The stretching exercises will help to “loosen up” the surrounding muscle groups such as the hamstrings, which then allow for more blood and oxygen circulation alleviating the pain and giving the immune system a much needed boost.
When patients engage in a regular programme of gentle stretching and strengthening exercises, they can recover quickly (in comparison to those who do not exercise) from the flare ups and over time the painful episodes are known to reduce significantly, both in frequency as well as intensity.
Ancient holistic practices such Yoga and Tai-chi are often considered the best form of exercises for the afflicted because of the balanced and slow but controlled movements that complement the ‘breath’ rather than causing further exertion to the already fragile bone density.
It is recommended that expert advice be sought and the exercises should be undertaken only under trained supervision. Please do not attempt to “experiment” with Yoga or Tai-Chi on your own, as improper or wrong posture could lead to irreparable damage to the spine. 


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 Exercises for Sciatica To Keep It Under Check

Sciatica pain arises from the sciatic nerve which is the single largest nerve in our body. It consists of individual nerve roots, which branching out from the lower back of the spine to the back of each leg and combining together forms the sciatic nerve. The origination of the sciatic pain lies in the lower back of the body and radiates down the buttock to the sciatic nerve.

Causes of the sciatica pain

Arthritis: If an individual is diagnosed with arthritis, then he or she can expect a throbbing pain or numbness down till the leg.
Herniated disc: Another cause could be a herniated disc in the lower back of the body.
Spondylosis: Spondylosis in the lower back would also be a reason for the development of the sciatica pain.
PIVD/DISC bulge
Other causes are a spinal injury, diseased degenerative disc, infection on and around the lower back. The pain would worsen, if an individual is in an occupation where he or she has to stand or sit for hours at length. The lifting of heavy things would strain the sciatic nerves as well.

How to identify sciatica pain?
Sciatica pain varies from infrequent to a constant throbbing down the lower back. So initially it is difficult to detect whether it is sciatic pain or not. But when the constant pain in the lower back leads right down till the toes and foot, it is really time for an individual to get in touch with a doctor. The pain can give a burning sensation almost searing making it difficult for the person to stand up or walk properly. Along with the pain, one can feel fatigued. An involvement of the spinal cord is rare in the sciatic pain but is possible.

Treatment for sciatica pain
Sciatica can be treated in both surgical and non-surgical way. Surgical treatment is rare as sciatica tends to respond well with non-surgical treatments. If the pain continues for over a month despite treatment, surgical treatment will be considered. The non-surgical pain treatment would include physical exercises and oral medications along with natural treatment.

Medications: Painkiller medications prescribed by the doctor can be used to reduce sciatica. Medicines like aspirin, non-steroidal or oral steroids can help reduce the pain.
Steroid injection: Epidural steroid injection acts faster as it is injected in the affected area, thus providing relief from the pain quickly.
Exercise: Early morning exercises can be quite helpful.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy: The surgical treatment of Percutaneous endoscopic disc dissectomy constitutes a large part of interventional pain physicians and it has evolved considerably in terms of surgical technique and instrumentation. Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy is a relatively new technique for removing lumbar disc herniation. It involves using an endoscope to visualize the disc removal. The discectomy is performed through a posterolateral approach using specially developed instruments. The advantage of percutaneous endoscopic discectomy is that the disc is approached posterolaterally through the triangle of Kambin without the need for bone or facet resection thus preserving spinal stability. The procedure is day care and is done under local anaesthesia.

Sciatica Pain - 5 Ways You Can Treat It!

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