The most common lower back injury seen at our clinic is sciatica pain, which is caused due to a pinched nerve in the lower spine. There are various conditions that can cause sciatic pain, including piriformis syndrome, a slipped disc, a tumor pressing on the nerve, or a pelvic injury/fracture. Sciatica may also occur during pregnancy due to the weight of the fetus pressing on the sciatic nerve.
Symptoms of sciatic pain can be severe and may include muscle weakness, numbness, and/or tingling sensations down the leg. These symptoms are typically experienced on one side of the body at a time. In most cases, sciatic pain can be alleviated through physiotherapy, massage therapy, and/or acupuncture. However, in rare instances, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on the nerve.
At our clinic, treatment for sciatica pain aims to help individuals live a more productive, pain-free life. We provide education on proper body mechanics and lifting techniques to ensure correct positioning and to minimize strain. Additionally, we offer exercises and stretches that can be done at home to relieve pain on non-treatment days.
Alongside exercise programs, we utilize therapeutic ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), heat or ice therapy, and cold level laser treatments. Additionally, acupuncture is employed as an effective method for treating sciatica back pain, with many studies supporting its efficacy. Our acupuncturist often combines acupuncture with cupping therapy for successful outcomes. Furthermore, our massage therapists utilize heat treatments and hands-on techniques to effectively relieve tight muscles contributing to pain.
References
1. Fairag, M., Kurdi, R., Alkathiry, A., Alghamdi, N., Alshehri, R., Alturkistany, F. O., Almutairi, A., Mansory, M., Alhamed, M., Alzahrani, A., & Alhazmi, A. (2022). Risk Factors, Prevention, and Primary and Secondary Management of Sciatica: An Updated Overview. Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), 14(11), e31405–e31405. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.31405
2. Salari, N., Mohammadi, A., Hemmati, M., Hasheminezhad, R., Kani, S., Shohaimi, S., & Mohammadi, M. (2023). The global prevalence of low back pain in pregnancy: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1), 1–830. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-06151-x
3. Davis 3.D, Maini K, Taqi M, et al. Sciatica. [Updated 2024 Jan 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/