What To Do for Sciatica in my Leg

Photo: John Ragal

There are multiple causes of sciatica or back pain that radiates down the leg(s). The most serious cause of sciatica is when a nerve root in the spine is being pinched by a bulging disc or by arthritis-type changes in the spine itself. Not only can this cause shooting pain into the leg(s) but also weakness in the leg and changes in the sensation in the leg (for example numbness or tingling in a portion of the leg or foot). If this is the case, it would be diagnosed through MRI and treatment options would be recommended by your doctor. 

Physical Therapists treat many patients with such sciatica. The key to relieving this type of sciatica is to stop the compression of the nerve root in the spine where it is being pinched. This can be done through positioning and exercises. If you are completely compliant with Physical Therapy and get no relief from any sciatica symptoms, then your doctor may try injections (usually with Cortisone) to provide some pain relief. This is a steroid, which provides an anti-inflammatory response. If you do not want injections, you may be prescribed oral medications for pain relief and/or anti-inflammation. 

Other conservative treatments for sciatica are going to a chiropractor, mechanical lumbar traction (requires a MD prescription) or getting acupuncture. Also some people get relief from inversion tables. Aquatic Physical Therapy (doing therapy inside a swimming pool) is another helpful tool for patients with sciatica.

Back Pain Prevention: Avoid Twisting

Never twist your body when holding something. It is common for me to ask a patient with low back pain how he hurt his back and he responds that he was holding a heavy box and twisted his back. This is one common way to cause a disc in the low back (lumbar spine) to bulge or herniate, which is a very common diagnosis in PT clinics. The complication associated with disc problems is that if a lumbar disc bulges out of its normal position, it can compress the nerves in the spine, causing pain and other symptoms into the leg or legs. It is much easier to prevent a disc herniation than to treat one after it occurs!

            One common way for this to happen is while doing the laundry. Many people twist their bodies when putting clothes from the washer into the dryer. This is worsened because they are holding wet clothes while twisting their backs, causing more injury than if nothing were held. Instead, step over to the dryer, then squat to throw the clothes in. It takes a conscious effort every time, but just remember "step, squat, and toss." It only takes one wrong twist to cause low back pain which could last for months or years, so avoid twisting—every time!
         Here is a video showing what not to do. I posted it a year ago, but it's funny and worth another viewing.