First of all, you will be interested to know that sciatica is more common in people between 30 and 50 years old 🤯 so you better read on... According to several studies, 70 to 80% of patients will present low back pain at some point in their lives¹, and 90% of the cases the cause lies in mechanical disorders of the spine².
In this post we will talk about...
- What is sciatica?
- What are the causes of sciatica?
- What are the symptoms of sciatica?
- How do you know if it is sciatica, low back pain or pyramidal syndrome?
- How to treat sciatica?
- How can massage therapy help with sciatica?
- What massages are good for sciatica?
- How to book a in-home massage to treat sciatica?
What is sciatica?
Surely the scene comes to mind where a person touches their lower back and complains about the pain, and you are not on the wrong track, but what is sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and runs down each side of the lower spine, passing through the buttocks and the back of the thigh, thus reaching the foot.
The term sciatica refers to pain caused when this nerve, the sciatic nerve, is being pinched or irritated at the level of the spine.
What are the causes of sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in the lower back. We could say that the discs are like shock absorbers between the bones of the spine, and sometimes these discs crack and the gelatinous substance inside escapes and irritates the nerves around them; in this case the sciatica.
However, there are other less common causes of sciatica, such as a bone spur in the vertebrae (overgrowth of bone), degenerative disc processes, diseases such as diabetes or even a tumor that causes the sciatic nerve to be pinched.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and loss of reflexes in the lower back, buttocks, legs and feet; usually affecting only one side of the body and may combine symptoms in different locations. For example, you may feel numbness in one buttock and pain in another part of the leg.
The intensity of the pain can vary from mild to severe, even unbearable pain.
It can be made worse by coughing or sneezing, and by sitting for a long period of time.
How do you know if it is sciatica, low back pain or pyramidal syndrome?
There are several diagnoses for the same symptoms; for example, sciatica is not the same as lumbago or piriformis syndrome.
- Sciatica: As mentioned above, sciatica is when the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated at the spinal column level.
- Lumbago: It is a pain in the lumbar region that is generally felt suddenly after having exerted oneself with bad posture or after a fall.
- Piriformis or piriformis syndrome: A pain in the center of the buttock that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle. It is sometimes called pseudo-sciatica or false sciatica.
In both sciatica and piriformis syndrome, the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, however, it is important to locate the site of impingement to make a correct diagnosis.
A physician will perform a physical examination that usually includes the Lasègue maneuver, which is usually positive in the case of sciatica, and negative in the case of piriformis syndrome. This consists of lying on the back (supine) and with the leg stretched out, lift it and determine if any pain is felt. If between 30 and 60 degrees pain radiating towards the limb appears, it is considered positive and the physician may recommend further tests.
How to treat sciatica?
In general, mild to moderate pain can be treated at home with some of these home remedies:
- Apply heat and cold: Heat helps muscles relax and cold reduces inflammation and pain. Start by applying cold compresses to the affected area for about 20 minutes and then apply hot compresses. You can continue to switch back and forth or stick with the one that gives you the most relief.
- Gentle, localized stretching: Any physical treatment that helps to soften the muscles around the sciatic nerve will help with the pain and may help you regain mobility. We recommend seeing a professional therapist for advice on the correct stretches to avoid the counterproductive effect.
In addition, since most of the time sciatica is caused by a herniated disc, the body usually reabsorbs the disc material causing the symptoms and the symptoms disappear after a short time.
If the pain remains for more than a week or gets progressively worse, see your doctor.
How can massage therapy help with sciatica?
When your abdominal, lower back or lower extremity muscles are tight, they can add tension to the sciatic nerve.
Massages help relieve the tension of these muscles, relieving the strain on the sciatic nerve.
In addition, massages stimulate the release of endorphins and can reduce the level of cortisol, the stress hormone; improving mood, inducing relaxation and relieving pain.
What massages are good for sciatica?
There is not much scientific evidence that one type of massage is more beneficial than another for relieving sciatica pain, so the choice is personal and based on your preferences. Here are some recommendations:
- Deep tissue massage: Consists of slow movements with greater pressure than in the relaxing massage, working the deeper layers of the muscles to reduce muscle tension. It is the technique most commonly used to treat low back pain.
- Swedish or relaxing massage: Stimulates nerves and connective tissues to release tension and promote relaxation.
- Neuromuscular massage: Apply pressure directly on the "knots".
A certified therapist will be able to offer you a personalized treatment focused on the specific areas around the sciatic nerve to help relieve stress and reduce pain.
Going to a specialized center when you have sciatica pain can be a challenge. Fortunately, it is now possible to be treated by a professional in the comfort of your home.
How to book a in-home massage to treat sciatica?
If you are looking for a safe, comfortable and professional solution to book a in-home massage to treat sciatica, Zen to Go's certified therapists will be happy to help you.
Our team is trained and ready to meet your needs.
Booking at Zen to Go is very easy, either through the website www.zentogo.com.mx or by downloading the App, available for iOS and Android.
- You will be able to customize your session by choosing the technique, duration and gender of the therapist's preference, and you can add notes about your ailment.
- Choosing the date and time of preference is really easy, and you can see the availability of therapists in real time.
- Guarantee your reservation with a bank card through the prestigious payment processor Stripe, or with Google and Apple Pay.
- And enjoy a professional massage to treat sciatica in the comfort of your home.
If you feel that you require more than one session, we recommend you review our volume discount packages, which can be found under Gift Certificates.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should be used as a substitute for direct advice from your physician.
Sources
¹ https://www.elsevier.es/en-revista-revista-medica-del-hospital-general-325-articulo-radiofrequency-thermocoagulation-in-chronic-low-S0185106316300622
² https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538173/
³ https://www.healthline.com/health/massage-for-sciatica#benefits
