Symptoms Of Sciatica

Sciatica is different to general back pain; the pain of sciatica hardly affects the back at all but radiates out from the lower back, down the buttocks and into one or both of the legs, right down to the calf.

Sciatic pain can range from being mild to very painful and can last for weeks or months. If it lasts for more than six weeks, it is considered persistent (chronic) sciatica.
Other symptoms

If you have sciatica, you may also experience the following symptoms around your legs and feet:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Muscle weakness 
• Loss of tendon reflexes

Causes Of Sciatica

Slipped (herniated) Disc

A slipped (or herniated) disc is the most common identified cause of sciatica.
Your spine is made up of vertebrae, discs and nerves. Vertebrae are the blocks of bone that make up the structure of your spine and protect the nerves.


The vertebrae are supported and cushioned by discs. The discs are made from a tough, fibrous case that contains a softer gel-like substance. A slipped disc occurs when the outer part of the disc ruptures (splits), allowing the gel inside to bulge and protrude outwards between the vertebrae. When this presses against the sciatic nerve, it can cause sciatica.
As a person gets older the discs start to become harder, tougher and more brittle. Repeated strain on the back means there is a greater chance of a hardened disc splitting and rupturing.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of nerve passages in the spine. It occurs when the bones, ligaments or discs of the spine squash the nerves of the spine (usually the sciatic nerve) causing pain, usually in the lower back and legs. It usually affects people in late middle age and older.

Causes Of Spinal Stenosis Include:

• Age-related changes in the spine
• Changes in the ligaments of the spine
• Diseases of the bone, such as Paget’s disease

Cycling-Related Lower Back Pain

Is it ok to ride through low back pain or should you stop and seek medical help?
Mechanical low back pain (LBP) is the most most common physical complaint among cyclists.




The exact cause can be difficult to diagnose,and many cyclists,myself included,are given general "soft advice": take things easy,rest,lower your gear ratios,use a higher cadence,etc.However,treatment and pain management-and whether to rest or carry on cycling-should be determined by your GP,Osteopath or physio,based on the specific type of lower back pain you are experiencing.

What's Causing The Pain

Often cyclist presume that their lower back ache is caused by a simple muscle strain,brought on by over- training,or jarring the back.In fact,the problem is usually mechanical.When the spinal muscle-fibres strain,they pull on the wings of a spinal joint called facet joints.There's a pair of facet joints at each of the five lumbar vertebrae-almost like having two spines in parallel.These muscle attachments act like a puppet on a string and can manipulate the facet joints in any direction.

Therefore,if a deep spinal muscle is strained  by a sudden movement or micro-trauma (repetitive movements) then a taut thickened muscle band will develop.This taut band is liable to pull the facet joint out of its correct position and change the alignment of not just the lower five vertebrae but often your pelvis and mid-back too-resulting in pain,inflammation and restricted movement.

What Is The Lumbar Spine?

The lumbar spine is the lower section of your vertebral column.It is comprised of five large vertebral segments.Its primary function is to provide stability,strength and power for movement.Yet its well-engineered structure protects the spinal cord,existing nerves and abdominal contents.Large intervertebral discs act as shock-absorbers and are a very common source of back pain,since they dehydrate (thin) through degeneration or injury (disc bulge or prolapse).

Can I Carry On Cycling?

It's advisable to rest for the first four or five days after the initial onset of LBP and wait for the first inflammatory phase to subside.You should not attempt cycling if the pain is too severe (difficulty turning over in bed or unable to stand up straight); when you experience referred pain down your legs (sciatica) ; or a tingling/numbness in your feet.

 In some cases,back pain can be due to a serious problem or disease,so if severe pain persists,please consult you Gp,Physio or Osteopath.

Self Help Exercise

It's not all bad news: research has shown that cyclists who regularly work on their back flexibility can reduce their risk of experiencing low back pain (LBP).Complete these execises pre/post-ride and 24 hrs after each ride

Read More: Click Here.

Sciatica

Sciatica is the name given to any sort of pain that is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from the back of your pelvis, through your buttocks, and all the way down both legs, ending at your feet.
When something compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve, it can cause a pain that radiates out from your lower back and travels down your leg to your calf (see Sciatica – symptoms for more information). Sciatic pain can range from being mild to very painful.
A slipped disc is the most common identified cause of sciatica, but in some cases there is no obvious cause (see Sciatica – causes for more information).

Types of sciatica

There are two types of sciatica:

• Acute sciatica, which lasts up to six weeks
• Persistent (chronic) sciatica, which lasts longer than six weeks

Most cases of acute sciatica will pass without the need for treatment. A combination of self-help measures such as over-the-counter painkillers, exercise and hot or cold packs can usually relieve the symptoms.

For persistent sciatica, you may be advised to try a structured exercise programme under the supervision of a physiotherapist. In very rare cases, surgery may be needed to control the symptoms.

Outlook

Most people find their sciatic pain goes away naturally within a few days or weeks. However, see your GP if:

• you experience any other symptoms together with your back and leg pain, such as weight loss or loss of bladder or bowel control
• You experience increasingly more pain and discomfort
• Your pain is too severe to manage with self-help measures
• In these cases, your GP should check whether there is a more serious problem causing your pain.

When To See Your Doctor

Back pain: When To See Your Doctor

Many people with back pain never need to see their doctor. But you should feel able to call or visit your GP if you're worried about your back or feel unable to cope with the pain. As a general rule, people with back pain are advised to contact their doctor if the pain is no better after about a week.

You should certainly see your GP as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms:

• Difficulty passing urine, or if you are passing blood
• Numbness around the back passage or genitals
• Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the legs or arms
• Pain running down one or both legs
• Unsteadiness when standing

These are associated with uncommon conditions, but ones that need treatment immediately.

Types Of Back Pain

Neck Pain

Neck pain refers to any pain experienced in the area from the base of the skull to the shoulders and can spread to your upper back or arms.

This can include feelings of stiffness or tightness, as well as sharp pain and, in severe cases, can reduce the movement of the neck and head. Neck pain can also cause tension headaches.

Most muscles in the body will relax completely when they are not being used, but the muscles in the neck are permanently tensed in order to support the head. Although most common in people over 50, neck pain can develop at any age as the result of excess strain on the neck. This could include slouching, sleeping in an awkward position or working at a computer for long periods of time without a break.

Neck pain can also develop as the result of an accident. Perhaps the best known is whiplash; an injury sustained as a result of the head being thrown forward and back in a car accident.

Neck pain is rarely the result of a serious injury and will often lessen after a few days. If you are suffering from neck pain, try to keep moving and maintain your normal routine as best you can. Over-the-counter painkillers may also help.


Upper And Middle Back Pain

The upper and middle back refers to the section of vertebrae, known as the thoracic vertebrae, which runs from the base of the neck to the bottom of your ribcage. This type of back pain is less common than neck or lower back pain as the bones in this area are not required to move and flex as much.

Like many other types of back pain, upper and middle back pain can range from aching and stiffness to a sharp or burning sensation. Pain in this area is often the result of pinched nerves in the spine by the ribs.

One cause of back pain in this area is poor posture. Try to keep your back as straight as possible and balance your weight evenly on both feet. When sitting, keep your shoulders rolled back and be sure to adopt suitable positions when driving, sitting or using computers.

For more advice on ways you can protect your back, see the 'preventing back pain' section of this guide.

Lower Back Pain

This is the commonest type of back pain with around 8 out of 10 people affected at some time in their lives. The lower back is defined as the area between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the legs. Symptoms range from tension and stiffness to pain and soreness.

Most people's back pain is described as non-specific, meaning it is caused by structures in the back as opposed to rare conditions such as cancer or a fracture.

The back is a delicate area of muscles, nerves, bones and joints and is continuously working hard to support the weight of the upper body. Lower back pain is often triggered by everyday activities such as bending awkwardly, lifting incorrectly, standing for long periods of time, slouching when sitting and driving for long periods without taking breaks.

The 'preventing back pain' section of this guide has advice on guarding against these common causes of back pain and includes tips on lifting correctly, sitting properly, using computers and avoiding back pain caused by driving.

Buttocks And Legs (Sciatica)

Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body and runs from the back of your pelvis, through your buttocks, and all the way down both legs, ending at your feet.

When something compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve, it can cause a pain that radiates out from your lower back and travels down your leg to your calf. This can be mild to very painful.

The most common cause of sciatica is a slipped disc. This occurs when one of the discs that sit between and cushion the vertebrae is ruptured. Most cases of sciatica will pass without the need for treatment. A combination of the self-help measures described in this guide such as over-the-counter painkillers, exercise and hot or cold packs can usually relieve the symptoms.

For persistent sciatica, you may be advised to try a structured exercise programme under the supervision of a physiotherapist. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to control the symptoms.

Urgent (Red Flag Symptoms)

Most cases of back pain will usually get better without medical help. However, there are a number of warning signs, known as 'red flags', which may indicate that your back pain is serious.

These red flag signs include:

·         A high temperature (fever) of 38C (100F) or above
·         Unexplained weight loss
·         Constant back pain that does not ease after lying down or resting
·         Pain that travels to your chest or that is high up in your back
·         Pain down your legs and below the knees
·         A recent trauma or injury to your back
·         Loss of bladder control
·         Inability to pass urine
·         Loss of bowel control
·         Numbness around your genitals, buttocks or back passage

If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above, contact your GP immediately. If this is not possible, you can telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

You should also seek medical advice if you are having back pain and:

·         You are under 20 or over 55 years old
·         You have taken steroids for a few months
·         You misuse drugs
·         You have or have had cancer
·         You have a weakened immune system as a result of chemotherapy treatment or a medical condition such as HIV or AIDS

Also contact your GP if your symptoms fail to improve within three days or you have persistent pain that lasts longer than six weeks.

Stop Sciatic Pain In 3 Minutes!

As I said on the About Me page I have in addition to lower back pain,also suffered from a sciatica like condition called piriformis syndrome and if you are also suffering from sciatica or piriformis syndrome don't need me to tell you how bloody awful it is.
It was while researching the causes and possible cures for this painful condition, that I can across various videos posted on youtube,all claiming to have the cure.
Well as desperate as I was I gave one or two of them ago,most are actually a variation on a theme,basically you need to perform a very simple yet extremely effective stretch,below is the video that I used,I fully understand that you might find it difficult to get down on the floor,but if you take your time and move slowly I promise you it will be worth it.