Not all people are sent to the hospital to treat sciatic nerve pinches. Many simply do not pay attention to this or are engaged 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 in the article.
Structure
The nerve originates in the sacral region, then passes through the thigh, covering all the muscle fibers with the endings. In the popliteal fossa, there is a separation into the peroneal and tibial nerves. Thus, a connection is made with the central nervous system and tissues of the foot and lower leg.
A large number of sites covered by the ends 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 toes and feet.
Some symptoms
Pinching of the sciatic nerve is a very serious ailment that can lead to limited mobility and a deterioration in the quality of life. However, inflammation may be a consequence, not a cause. Symptoms are as follows:
- Pain is the surest companion of malaise. Its intensity depends on the cause of pinching of the sciatic nerve. It is recommended to choose treatment and methods of pain relief only after identifying the causes. The disease manifests itself as heaviness, slight tingling, burning pain or just numbness. When a person is at rest, painful attacks sometimes do not occur, but it is worthwhile to stand up or just change your position, as sensations return with renewed vigor. It is noteworthy that if one leg literally languishes from burning pain, a slight tingling can be observed in the other. With inflammation of the nervous tissue, the unpleasant sensations in the lower back are usually weaker than those in the leg. But still deliver a lot of discomfort.
- Intermittent claudication is the instinctive behavior of a person subject to an ailment. The patient is trying to shift the body weight to a healthy leg, while the patient is kept in a bent state. From the outside, it looks like the consequences of a serious injury, which led to a change in gait and limitation of mobility.
- Sensitivity - in the area prone to sciatic nerve conversion, changes in the reaction of nerve endings are observed. It can be both low sensitivity and increased.
- Unpleasant sensations - manifest as burning, tingling, or numbness. Usually observed on the buttocks, feet, fingers and back of the legs.
- Reducing the level of mobility - all the blame for pain in the implementation of flexion and extension of the knee and foot joints.
- Muscular degeneration - in the absence of treatment for pinching of the sciatic nerve or in the process thereof, the patient sometimes has to move around using assistive devices such as a cane, crutches or a wheelchair (depending on the severity of the disease). As a result, the leg muscles do not function to their former strength and decrease. Often expressed in the fact that one leg visually looks thinner than the other.
- An increase in temperature is observed when edema occurs in the lower back. Immediate medical attention helps to eliminate the ailment. You should not apply a hot heating pad to the lesion (this is best done after the swelling has subsided), because so much more blood will flow to the lower back, which will worsen the situation.
Pain during pinching of the sciatic nerve is far from the only problem. Patients may also suffer from impaired activity of organs located in the pelvic section. The disease results in pain during urination, and also leads to problems with potency in men.
Symptoms of pinching the sciatic nerve are similar to a number of other diseases, because self-medication can worsen the situation. This is another reason why you should not postpone a visit to a highly qualified specialist with the slightest burning sensation in the lower back or urination.
Causes
It is known that not a single sore occurs on its own. Stress, unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle, or a trauma can be to blame. In any case, something should be changed so that the ailment does not return again.
Below we will consider diseases that can lead to pinching of the sciatic nerve.
Osteochondrosis
Progressing, the disease leads to the destruction of vertebral cartilage, resulting in the loss of flexibility and elasticity of the spine and there are problems with intervertebral discs.
The causes of the appearance and development of osteochondrosis are conditionally divided into two types:
- exogenous (uneven load on the back - carrying weights, prolonged being stationary with impaired posture, as well as infections or weakened back muscles);
- endogenous (basically, these are the characteristics of the body: genetic predisposition, advanced age).
The disease often occurs in athletes, as the exercise with large weights has a significant load on the spine. Even despite a well-trained body, no one can be insured against osteochondrosis. Especially if there is a lack of vitamins and minerals, and also important actions for the back are skipped, such as hyperextension (kneading the hip joint) and exercises on the horizontal bar (you can just hang on the bar or twist).
When the disks are destroyed, the distance between the vertebrae is reduced. This leads to inflammation. Treatment of pinched nerves is carried out through massage therapy, gymnastics or alternative methods.
It is important to timely and correctly determine the area of damage to the cartilage tissue. For example, osteochondrosis, which 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 detect a sore only during an X-ray examination. Prior to this, the patient often does not even suspect that there are problems with the spine. As they say, until the thunder strikes, the man 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 resulted in lower limb failure, an injection of diclofenac will help. But the help of a specialist is necessary, because you need to identify the root cause.
Spinal stenosis
The disease is a consequence of osteochondrosis. At 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 blood vessels inside the canal, making blood circulation and tissue nutrition more difficult.
Stenosis often leads to compression of the nerve, pain in the lumbar, leg weakness, as well as a violation of the sensitivity and functionality of the internal organs of the pelvis. The same “Diclofenac”, “Ketanov” or any other pain medication will help to relieve acute pain. When the sciatic nerve is pinched, the pills will temporarily relieve discomfort, but a visit to the doctor should not be postponed, because stenosis in most cases requires surgical intervention, although a number of anti-inflammatory, vascular agents and analgesics are prescribed for treatment.
Piriformis syndrome
This term is called nerve compression by the muscle and sacrospinous ligament. Discomfort manifests itself in the form of aching pain in the lower back or in the buttocks when walking. The patient is forced to slow down and slightly change his gait. It is more common in women than in men. High likelihood of developing intermittent claudication, as mentioned above.
The elimination of the disease occurs medically (anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed) and through thermal and massage procedures. After that, wellness gymnastics is recommended in order to avoid relapse.
Spinal disc herniation
Generally speaking, laying between segments of the spine serves as a kind of shock absorber. Accordingly, with a significant load and compression of the vertebrae, the disk is strongly deformed, passing 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 during treatment. Symptoms are somewhat reminiscent of osteochondrosis: numbness or tingling in the lower extremities. A hernia is identified by additional signs, such as a violation of the function of the pelvic organs.
Treatment is carried out medically. If conservative methods do not help, then surgical intervention is required. In addition, therapeutic massage and gymnastics will help eliminate the consequences of a hernia. When the sciatic nerve is pinched, these same methods will increase the result, and sometimes resort to therapy with multifunctional electrodes.
Cure
Pinched the sciatic nerve is treated comprehensively, as it qualifies as a malaise provoked by other diseases. A blood test, x-ray and magnetic tomography are performed. The primary task is to reduce pain to zero. Painkillers such as Ketoprofen, Nurofen or Ibuprofen are used.
It should be understood that tablets can have side effects on internal organs. Therefore, injections when pinching the sciatic nerve will be effective. Which drugs are better to use? It is advisable to consult with your doctor. But usually resort to the following medicines:
- Movalis.
- Diclofenac.
- "Lidocaine."
- Ketonal.
- "Novocaine".
Along with the above drugs, ointments are also effective. When pinching the sciatic nerve using:
- Nikoflex
- Finalgon.
- "Vyprosal."
- Apizartron.
The composition is applied to the problem area and rubbed in smooth movements, provides restoration of blood circulation and expansion of blood vessels, supplying proper nutrition to nerve and muscle tissues.
Of homeopathic ointments, “Traumeel C” or “Target T” are used, their action is to relieve pain and inflammation. However, these are not recommended for patients with allergies to the components of the drug, pregnant and lactating women.
About what massage do
When pinching the sciatic nerve, ointments are best used in combination with therapeutic massage. Such measures will help prevent relapse. Massaging is performed throughout the lower back and upper buttocks. Then, with your fingertips, stretch the muscles along the spine, indenting 2-3 cm.
Having found a sore spot, the area should be rubbed with neat circular motions. After five or seven minutes, discomfort will be replaced by pleasant warmth. Now you need to use your fists - with gentle pressure to rub the lower back and buttocks.
How to treat at home?
Pinched sciatic nerve at home is eliminated by the massage described above. After the pain is removed, folk methods are used - to lie on the “thorns” for some time or to apply a warm heating pad.
In addition, folk methods have proven themselves well:
- Lotions of celery.
- Honey-flour compress is rubbed on the lower back before bedtime, removed in the morning.
- The crushed bay leaves are mixed with vodka or alcohol, infused, and then rubbed in a sore spot throughout the course.
- A bath of ground horse chestnut roots and oak bark. This treatment procedure is not recommended for more than 15 minutes.
Treatment for pinching the sciatic nerve at home will be productive if you add gymnastics. Any physical exercises are always effective, as they help to warm up the muscles and keep them in good shape. You should not bother with the search for any specialized techniques, because everything is elementary and simple.
The exercises for gymnastics when pinching the sciatic nerve are as follows:
- pushups;
- pull-ups;
- press in a hanging position or in a lying position;
- 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 above ways. 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 healthy lifestyle, eat right and exercise. Then no disease will be scary. A mobile person is not afraid of either compression of nerve endings, or problems with the spine, nor a cold or flu. Therefore, you should alternate sedentary office work with classes in the gym.
Be healthy!