Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that runs from your lower back down through your hips, buttocks, legs, and feet. Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, causing pain in the lower back, legs, and feet. Sciatica affects almost 40% of adults and can be very painful. The good news is that there are effective ways to treat sciatica and relieve the pain. With the right diagnosis and treatment plan, you can lead a pain-free life.

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Therapy

The symptoms of sciatica are as follows: –

  • Calf pain-stretching down the lower leg and sometimes into the back of the knee.
  • Lower back pain running down the leg.
  • You may feel a pulling sensation in your lower back, buttocks and thigh, which may extend to your calf and foot.
  • A pain in your butt or leg that worsens while prolonged sitting.
  • Numbness in your leg or foot.
  • Tingling sensation in your extremity (lower body).
  • Persistent pain on one side of your butt.
  • Muscle weakness in the distressful leg or foot.
  • Shooting pain down the leg which makes it tough to stand up or extend the knee.
  • Pain in one part of the leg while numbness in another part.
  • A sensation of pins and needles only in toes or feet.

The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc or a pinched nerve. When vertebraeslip forward or discs weaken over time, the nerves can become compressed. However, this is often the result of gradual movements over time, such as bending or sitting for long periods of time.

Sciatica can be caused by a number of different conditions, listed below. If you think you may be suffering from sciatica, please consult with a doctor or other medical professional to get a proper diagnosis.

  • Herniated or slipped disc- They are a common spine injury. Discs are the cushions between each vertebra of the spine and when they bulge out, it applies pressure on the sciatic nerve. This can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the leg.
  • Deconditioned or weak spinal muscles.
  • Spinal stenosis is a condition that results in the abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal. This can cause pressure on the sciatic nerve roots as they exit the spine, and can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs.
  • Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one of the vertebrae slips out of position and narrows the opening through which the nerve exits. This can cause pain and other problems.
  • Degenerative spine conditions are caused by the natural wear and tear of the spine over time. This can lead to irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can cause a lot of pain.
  • Piriformis syndrome is a condition that affects the nerves and muscles. The piriformis muscle becomes tight and puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain and discomfort. This condition is not common, but it can be very debilitating.
  • Back injury
  • During or post-pregnancy
  • Lifestyle choices and factors such as wearing high heels often, obesity, having a Sedentary lifestyle or a job that requires you to bend and lift repetitively can all put extra strain on your back.

At Kalp Health Care, our wise and empathetic professionals take a transparent and innovative approach to ensure you receive the highest quality care, personalized to your unique health journey.

  • Comprehensive Assessment: Our expert professionals conduct a thorough assessment, which includes:
    • Patient Symptom Evaluation: We listen attentively and patiently to understand your symptoms.
    • Posture Analysis: We assess your posture to identify potential issues.
    • Physical and Functional Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of your physical health and functionality.
  • In-Depth Evaluation: To ensure a holistic understanding, we consider various factors, such as:
    • Radiological Findings: Incorporating X-Ray, MRI, CT scans, and clinical correlation.
    • Lab Reports: Analyzing laboratory test results for a complete picture.
    • Medication History: Documenting past and current medications.
    • Medical and Surgical History: Understanding your medical journey.
    • Lifestyle Factors: Exploring lifestyle, work patterns, and daily routines.
    • Nutritional Assessment: Evaluating diet and nutrition, emphasizing fibrous foods, minerals, and hydration.
  • Personalized Approach: We believe in patient-centric care, tailoring our assessments and recommendations to your specific needs:
    • Climate Considerations: Recognizing the impact of climate on health.
    • Family History: Considering hereditary factors.
    • Daily Activity: Analyzing your daily routine.
    • Metabolic Assessment: Understanding your metabolic activity.
    • Exercise Routine: Assessing your physical activity regimen.

Treatment

At Kalp Health Care, we believe in precision and personalization, our wise and empathetic approach ensures that your treatment is innovative, transparent, and, above all, centered around your unique needs and holistic health.That’s why:

Individualized Approach: Our expert team crafts unique treatment protocols for each patient.

Unique Needs: Even if two patients have a similar diagnosis, their treatments are tailored to their specific requirements.

Comprehensive Assessment: We consider not only the diagnosis but also your overall well-being, including physical, mental, emotional, and psychological health.

Holistic Care: Our patient-centric philosophy means that:

A 360-Degree View: We take into account every aspect of your health and life that may impact your well-being.

Emphasis on Well-being: Your treatment plan is designed to address not just physical pain but also your mental and emotional health.

Prevention

While it may not be possible to prevent sciatica from always occurring, there are key points which may help in preventing it and protecting your back. These include:

  • Exercise habitually to keep your back strong.
  • Always maintain proper posture while sitting, standing, etc.
  • Use proper technique while lifting heavy objects.
  • Maintain healthy body weight and follow a well-balanced nutritious diet.

Himanshu Dagar

I have been visiting the clinic for the past two years and my experience has been great. Dr. Kant is very knowledgeable and he treats his patients with full dedication and patience. I underwent treatment for my neck and back pain and I got relief after just a few sessions of dry needling. So, I would recommend everyone to visit KALP HEALTH CARE for any kind of physiotherapy treatment.

Nithya Santhakumar

At the age of 53, a back problem is scary when a doctor tells you that you need 10 days of bed rest or surgery! I went to Kalp expecting the usual steps of physiotherapy, but I couldn't even stand up straight or get out of bed without shooting pain. This is an example of not judging a book by its cover. Dr. Kant is a simple man but a magician when it comes to his treatment. He is passionate and positive about his treatment and knows the human body like the back of his hand. A dedicated team with Dr. Monika and Dr. Rakesh got me on my feet in just 3 days. This is the best treatment I could have asked for!

Vivek Goyal

Dr. Kant and his clinic are excellent in treating muscular and spinal issues - it's very clean and hygienic. Dr. Kant has great understanding and knowledge, quickly reaching to the root of what's wrong and able to provide Relief within a few sessions. I found a solution to my spine problem after seeking treatment from Dr. Kant - I had tried all kinds of treatments before but hadn't been able to find any relief.

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Who is a Kalp Specialist?

Dr. K. K. Kant is the Founder of Kalp Health Care, located in the sub-city of Dwarka, New Delhi.

There are trial & success methods to treat pain but as a seasoned  professionals, we know when and bhow to combine clinical reasoning with manual therapy, modalities, and recent EBP to restore mobility & rejuvenate life.

Dr. K. K. Kant has a keen interest in Ortho – Sports – Spine – Pelvic Floor – Foot field and advanced manual therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve extends from your lower back through your buttocks and down your legs. When sciatica pain strikes, it’s usually felt on only one side of your body.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It extends from the base of your spine all the way down your legs. If spinal structures, like bones or joints, shift out of alignment and put pressure on this nerve, you’ll experience pain. Poor posture, degenerative conditions, and repetitive motions can cause a gradual shifting of spinal vertebrae, causing them to press on the sciatic nerve. In like manner, an acute injury can knock bones or joints out of alignment, causing them to press on the sciatic nerve and produce sciatica symptoms.

There are some things you can do to prevent future sciatica flare-ups:

Exercise regularly to maintain strength in your back.

When sitting, maintain a good posture.

Avoid bending over to lift heavy objects.

Practice good posture when standing for long periods of time, and wear supportive shoes.

Maintain a healthy diet.

“Back pocket” sciatica – Sitting for extended periods with your wallet, keys, cell phone, or any hard object in your back pocket has been known to aggravate the piriformis muscle, under which the sciatic nerve runs. This can cause pressure on the nerve and ensuing pain.

Yes, sitting can make sciatica worse. Prolonged sitting can worsen sciatica as the pressure travels down into your glutes, hamstring and foot.