What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a type of nerve pain in your lower back and/or leg caused by irritation or compression of the large nerve that runs down the leg.

There can be several possible causes. These include a herniated disc pressing on a nerve root, narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), prolonged sitting or poor posture, and overuse of the lower back. Tight muscles, particularly the piriformis muscle in the buttock area, can also irritate the sciatic nerve and cause symptoms.

Wat is Ischias?

Ischias kan verschillende oorzaken hebben. Denk aan een hernia die op de zenuwwortel drukt, vernauwing van het wervelkanaal (spinale stenose), langdurig zitten of een verkeerde houding, en overbelasting van de onderrug. Ook gespannen spieren, met name de piriformis-spier in de bilstreek, kunnen de ischiaszenuw irriteren en zo klachten veroorzaken.

How does this work?

What is this technique used for?

How severe can sciatica be?

Sciatica symptoms can vary widely from person to person. Some people experience mild, occasional pain that goes away on its own, while others have severe, persistent pain that can significantly interfere with their daily lives. The symptoms can also last for different lengths of time. For some people, the pain goes away within a few weeks, while others may experience sciatica for much longer.

Prolonged pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause more than just pain. It may also lead to muscle weakness or numbness in the leg. In rare cases, severe nerve compression can result in loss of bladder or bowel control. If this happens, it is important to seek medical attention immediately .

Early and targeted treatment can help not only relieve symptoms, but also address the underlying cause and prevent further nerve damage. The sooner the underlying cause of sciatica is treated, the better the chances of a full recovery.