Sciatica is considered to be an irritation of the sciatic nerve that causes the patient pain in the lower back, a pain that extends to the back of one of the legs and can sometimes reach the toe. The roots of this nerve arise from the spinal cord and is the largest nerve in the human body.
Sciatica occurs due to irritation of the sciatic nerve, is very painful and can last several days, eventually disabling the patient. It is one of the most frequent causes of medical consultation and sick leave among middle-aged men.
Because of the pandemic, many people have been forced to work from home, spending a lot of time sitting without doing much physical activity. There are numerous health problems that can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle. One of these is the attack of sciatica.
The most common causes of sciatica are: Spinal disc herniation, Lumbar spinal stenosis, Piriformis syndrome, Fractures, Tumors, Paget’s disease, Pregnancy.
The main symptom of a sciatica attack is pain, although this can vary greatly in intensity and characteristics. It can range from pain that lasts for several days to pain that appears almost suddenly and with great intensity and prevents the patient from moving. The pain always affects one side, from the buttocks to the knee, calves, or even the foot. It is very common to be accompanied by pain in the lower back. Muscle weakness and decreased muscle reflexes are also common. This is why people with sciatica walk with a limp or cannot get out of bed on their own.
The treatment of sciatica is: Analgesics and anti-inflammatories that soothe the pain. They are usually taken every eight hours during the days of the episode.
Rest, that is, the patient will be able to move but should not exert themselves or walk long distances. Bed rest is not recommended once the pain has been relieved by analgesics. During the first two days of pain, apply cold to the affected lower back or buttock.
There are also exercises to relieve sciatica pain, whether caused by piriformis syndrome or another spinal problem. These may include yoga postures such as the “cow-cat,” core stabilization exercises or piriformis muscle stretches, but a specialist should be consulted first to determine the cause of sciatic nerve pain and the best therapy to treat it.
To prevent sciatica, the best measures you can take are:
- It is essential not to bend by bending your back, but to bend your knees with a straight back and not to carry heavy weights.
- Do not adopt incorrect postures when sitting at a desk or driving. The lower back should always be supported by the backrest or a pillow.
- Sleep on flexible but firm mattresses so that the spine is always in a straight position.
- Avoid obesity and being overweight.
- Walk at least 5 hours a week.
- Practice sports.
