{"id":217756,"date":"2024-05-29T02:45:31","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T02:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/momentumhealth.ca\/evidence-sport-and-spinal\/?page_id=217756"},"modified":"2024-10-16T20:51:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T20:51:48","slug":"sciatica","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/momentumhealth.ca\/evidence-sport-and-spinal\/conditions\/sciatica\/","title":{"rendered":"Sciatica"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Understanding the Roots of Sciatic Pain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you experiencing sharp, burning pain along one side of your hips, buttocks, and legs? You could have sciatica, a condition affecting the sciatic nerve. Fortunately, the physiotherapists at Evidence Sport and Spine can help you identify the source of your sciatic pain and find a treatment option that works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sciatica is a common but often debilitating condition that affects approximately 40% of people at some point in their lives. It refers to pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates down the back of the leg. Discomfort from sciatica can range from mild to severe and, in some cases, may be accompanied by weakness or difficulty moving the affected leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the severity of your sciatica, it can profoundly affect your day-to-day life, preventing you from participating fully in leisure activities and sports, household chores, or work duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sciatica is often misunderstood. People frequently use the term \u201csciatica\u201d to refer to any pain in the lower limbs, but it specifically refers to pain brought on by issues with the sciatic nerve. Originating in the lower back, the sciatic nerve extends down the legs to the feet, and its affliction typically manifests as pain on one side or leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to effective sciatica treatment. Our expert practitioners will use a combination of patient history, physical assessments, and imaging studies to identify the underlying cause of sciatic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Evidence Sport and Spine, we use a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to physiotherapy care to address the root cause of sciatica and alleviate its symptoms, fostering lasting relief and restoring function. Our results-oriented treatment approach will help you overcome pain, regain mobility, and reclaim control of your health and fitness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Book an assessment today, and let us help you discover long-term solutions for your sciatica!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are the Common Causes of Sciatica?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sciatica is not a medical issue in and of itself but a potential symptom of several different conditions, including herniated discs, bone spurs from degenerative changes, or injury. When these conditions irritate or trigger inflammation in the sciatic nerve, it leads to sciatica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our physiotherapists at Evidence Sport and Spine will help you identify which condition is causing your sciatica, then provide treatment to address it while also helping you manage your pain. We want you to see results, which means addressing your pain at the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some common conditions that can trigger sciatica or sciatica-like pain:<\/p>\n\n\n

Lumbar Herniated Disc<\/h6><\/span><\/div>

The most common cause of sciatica, a herniated disc, occurs when the soft, cushioning material between the vertebrae ruptures or bulges, compressing the nearby sciatic nerve.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Piriformis Syndrome<\/h6><\/span><\/div>

The piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttock region, can become tight or spasm, irritating the sciatic nerve.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Spondylolisthesis<\/h6><\/span><\/div>

This condition occurs when a vertebra in the lower spine slips forward, potentially compressing the sciatic nerve. Although rare, if the slippage progresses past a certain level, surgery is required to stabilize and prevent a worsening of the condition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction<\/h6><\/span><\/div>

Irritation or inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, where the spine meets the pelvis, can lead to sciatic-like pain.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis<\/h6><\/span><\/div>

This condition occurs when the spinal canal narrows, which can compress the nerves there, including the sciatic nerve. However, spinal stenosis usually affects both legs, whereas sciatica typically only affects one.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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While most people recover from sciatica, multiple episodes are not uncommon \u2013 and, unfortunately, the pain tends to worsen each time you experience another episode. That\u2019s why the results-oriented approach at Evidence Sport and Spine is an effective treatment option. By addressing the source of your pain, we can prevent future flare-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re committed to providing you with research-backed tools to help alleviate your pain<\/a> and prevent future recurrences so you can get back to a healthy, active lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Can Help Resolve Sciatica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you come in for treatment, our North Calgary<\/a> or South Calgary, AB<\/a> team of physiotherapists<\/a> will conduct a thorough physical examination to assess your range of motion, identify weaknesses, pinpoint the location and nature of your pain, and evaluate your symptoms and limitations. From there, we\u2019ll be able to determine what condition is causing your sciatica so we can treat it accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We pull from several different evidence-based treatment approaches to address your current pain and its cause. Your treatment will be customized based on the condition causing your sciatic pain and any other needs you might have.<\/p>\n\n\n