Sciatica and Massage

Mainly affecting the lower torso and legs, sciatica is caused by a variety of structural and muscular conditions that result in an impingment of the sciatic nerve.

Over the course of your life, vertebrae and soft tissues can suffer numerous insults and traumas. The vulnerable sciatic nerve may be irritating spinal nerves. This can lead to excruciating pain along all or part of the sciatic nerve (originating in the lower back, gluteals, hip, thigh, leg and foot.) This pain is known as sciatica.

Sciatica Symptoms
For most, sciatica is a major discomfort that becomes more severe with each recurring attack. Attacks can be brought on by simple movements such as lifting or sneezing. Sciatica sufferers describe the pain they experience as sudden, "shooting", "hot", "sharp", or "tingling" pain. They may also experience intermittent "cold numbness" or a "buzzing feeling" along the nerve pathway.

In the acute stage, pain is usually constant, but may ease temporarily - returning so suddenly that it can "take your breath away". In winter cold weather may play a part in intensifying the sciatic pain. Muscles that are already tightened in response to misaligned vertebrae (such as piriformis) can suddenly go into spasm, impinging the sciatic nerve.

Vertebral Sciatica
A herniated disk (also known as a slipped disk) can be the origin of sciatic pain. However, the most common cause of sciatica is a pinched spinal nerve caught between misaligned vertebrae.

If you think you may have this kind of sciatica it is important to consult a physician or a chiropractor. X-rays or MRIs may be required to properly identify which vertebrae are involved. Research shows that this type of sciatic pain responds favorably to chiropractic treatment. A chiropractor will work to realign the spine to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves.

Muscular Sciatica
Muscular Sciatica is often overlooked as the cause of mysterious back pain. Not as well known as vertebral sciatica, it is just as painful and more often more complicated to treat.

Muscular sciatica is a result of a deep muscle spasm in the buttocks. This impinges the sciatic nerve near the hip, causing pain and weakness. While vertebral sciatica can strike anytime of day, the attacks of muscular sciatica more often occur in the early morning. Sufferers may notice the pain decreasing during the course of the day as a result of routine use of the muscles.

If ignored the dull pain of early morning sciatica can develop into chronic sharp or debilitating pain. Complications include sensitivity or swelling of the buttocks, legs or feet.

Sciatica Treatment
Early intervention based on awareness of the early symptoms of sciatica may avert debilitating pain. Taking immediate and appropriate action can alleviate pain episodes and prevent the condition from worsening.

Active exercise is important for sciatica relief
Although it may seem counterintuitive, exercise is usually better for healing sciatic pain than bed rest. Patients may rest for a day or two after their sciatica flares up, but after that time period, inactivity will usually make the pain worse. Without exercise and movement, the back muscles and spinal structures become deconditioned and less able to support the back. The deconditioning and weakening can lead to back injury and strain, which causes additional back pain. Exercise is also important for the health of the spinal discs. Movement helps exchange nutrients and fluids within the discs to keep them healthy.

Many sciatica exercises focus on strengthening the abdominal and back muscles in order to give more support for the back. Stretching exercises for sciatica target muscles that cause pain when they are tight and inflexible. When patients engage in a regular program of gentle strengthening and stretching exercises, they can recover more quickly from a flare up of sciatica and can help to prevent future episodes of pain.

Massage and Sciatica
Muscular sciatica can involve all the musculoskeletal symptoms of the leg. Unlike vertebral sciatica, this type of sciatica may not respond well to chiropractic manipulation, but it responds exceptionally well to the soft tissue approach of massage therapy.

An ideal way to address early symptoms of sciatica is through use of therapeutic massage. Massage therapy helps remove waste materials from muscles. Benefits include "breaking up" muscle spasms and increases the flow of oxygen to the muscles. Massage also lengthens and relaxes muscle groups allowing them to rest. Range of motion and flexibility are restored.

Massage therapy is an ideal suppliment to other treatment approaches, such as chiropractic and medical, and may help prevent problems that lead to or aggravate sciatica.