Sciatica massage

If you are looking for sciatica massage then you have come to the right place. Sciatica is a nerve-related pain that runs from the lower back, down the back of one or both legs. It often feels like a pinched nerve or muscle spasm. Massage for sciatica can help relieve the pain and tension in your back and thigh. The best way to deal with sciatica is by finding out what is causing it and treating the underlying cause. Sciatica massage therapy can be very effective and cause immediate relief from sciatica pain, as well as improving quality of life.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition that can lead to pain in the back and legs. It occurs when pain travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower spine, and travels through the hip and buttock and down the back of the leg to the foot.

There are a range of different causes of sciatica. In most cases, the condition gets better over time, either on its own or with treatment.

Sciatica is felt as nerve pain radiating from the buttock down the back of the leg, often when sitting, sneezing, coughing or going to the toilet. You may also feel lower back pain, and/or tingling, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in your leg.

What causes Sciatica?

The causes of sciatica include spinal injury or trauma, bone spurs or other growths, narrowing of the spinal canal, or tight or swollen muscles in the buttock. In many cases, people can’t pinpoint a specific injury that caused the condition.

Risk factors for sciatica include:

age-related changes to the spine
obesity, which can put extra pressure on the spine
occupations where you twist the spine or pick up heavy loads
prolonged sitting
diabetes, which can increase the risk of nerve damage

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists recommends that an x-ray or other imaging in response to low back pain is only needed if you have other significant symptoms. If you have sciatica, discuss with your doctor whether imaging is required, which it may or may not be, depending on the circumstances. For further information, visit the Choosing Wisely Australia website.

How is sciatica treated?

The choice of sciatica therapies depends on the length of symptoms and severity of your condition. These therapies include:

special back care education
rest
physical therapies including remedial massage
medication treatment
lifestyle changes
surgery

Mild sciatic usually goes away in time. When you first experience sciatica, 1 or 2 days’ bed rest may be needed. However, it's important to return to activity as soon as possible, to help your spine stay strong.

Sciatica treatment includes pain relief medicines such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and physiotherapy. Most people with sciatica get better with conservative treatments such as physiotherapy.

You should see your doctor again self-care measures fail to improve your pain, if your pain lasts longer than a week, is severe or becomes progressively worse.

If your symptoms persist, an injection of anaesthetic into the spine may be needed or, in rare cases, surgery.