JULY UPDATE
Sciatica: What you need to know
Sciatica describes nerve pain travelling down the leg. Symptoms can include weakness, numbness, pins and needles, electric shock sensations, and aching. The pain can vary from infrequent and irritating, to constant and incapacitating.
As the nerves originate from the spaces between the lumbar vertebrae close to your discs, they travel the length of your legs through various muscles and connective tissues, and wrap closely to your bones.
Nerves are very robust structures but can be irritated by injury, or issues with any one of these structures. As a result you can experience nerve irritation.
Nerve pain can happen to anyone. But the good news is that for most people, an episode of sciatica will start to settle within four to six weeks.
You will not do any harm by keeping mobile and staying at work. In fact, this can often be beneficial, although you may need to adapt the way you do certain activities, and get up from sitting more frequently.
Seeing a physio for sciatica can help relieve pain in the short term, and prevent recurrance in the long term.
(Information courtesy of Physitrack)
TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND …
Perform some gentle back and leg stretches to
maintain flexibility in your tissues and encourage
your body’s natural healing and recovery process.
Strengthening exercises will help to prevent your back
from getting weaker and can reduce your chances of
experiencing a recurrence in the future.
Try to link your exercises to activities you do regularly
and perform these exercises regularly and gently. Pain
is normal and to be expected so don’t worry if some of
the exercises are uncomfortable. Just do what you can
MOVE BETTER …FEEL BETTER
Most people associate physiotherapy with pain and injury management.
While helping you recover from pain is our specialty, our physios are also able to tailor a maintenence program specifically for you … to keep you feeling strong!
Our clinical exercise classes are focussed on building strength, core stability, mobility, control and posture. Max 4 clients per class. $60 casual or 6 pack for $330. Health Fund rebatable!
If you are currently attending physio and would like a free trial of one of our an individually tailored classes, book in at reception today!