Sciatic Nerve Pain

Sciatic Nerve Pain
Synonyms: Lumbar radiculopathy, sciatica, “pinched nerve”
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve originating from the lower
spine and spinal cord, running behind the leg. The main
function of the nerve is to allow for normal feeling, reflexes
and muscle function.
Nerves are physical tissues, similar to tendons, muscles
and ligaments and have physical requirements. The three
main physical requirements a nerve has is:
•
Space: Nerves in your body run through tunnels,
muscles and around tendons. When space is taken away
from a nerve (example - compression), the nerve may
develop symptoms such as pins and needles, numbness,
weakness and even eventually pain. If you compress the
ulnar nerve next to your “funny bone,” you are bound to feel
pins-and-needles in your fingers.
•
Movement: New studies, using diagnostic ultrasound, have shown that nerves work similar to
dental floss. When a someone straightens out his/her leg, the sciatic nerve will slide down the leg
and when the leg is bent again, it slides back. When a therapist or physician pulls on your leg
(straight leg raise), he/she is trying to assess how well the nerve can slide/glide and even how
sensitive it is to the movement. When nerves don’t move well (tight
muscles, small spaces, scar tissue, etc.), nerves may become a
source of pain.
•
Blood: Nerves LOVE blood! This ties in directly to the movement
needed and described above. Approximately one quarter of all the
blood in your body goes to the nervous system. When nerves are
subjected to prolonged stretching, such as hamstring stretches or
sitting in a car on a long road trip, they may cause some pain.
Physical therapy is a movement-based profession and when physical
therapists examine and treat nerve injuries, one of their objectives would
be to “give the nerve back what it wants” - space, movement and blood.
This may include exercise, manual stretching/movements, nerve glides,
advice on positioning and more.
Nerve sensitivity: It is also important to note that when nerves are subjected to injury/irritation long enough, they become much more
“sensitive.” Nerves can become sensitive to temperature, movement,
pressure and even stress. The good news is that research has shown
that when patients understand nerve pain, (thus reducing fear and use
gentle movements to give a nerve back some blood) space and
movement, the nerve sensitivity will decrease and thus pain over time will
also decrease.
For more information - ask your Physical Therapist
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Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes
available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for
professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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