These are two very similar conditions that cause pain and lack of movement in the back. More and more patients are consulting for these problems, due to efforts or because they sit for a long time without moving.
SCIATICA
Irritation of the sciatic nerve, better known as “sciatica” causes pain in the lower back. This pain spreads down the back of the legs and can reach the balls of the feet.
It is one of the most frequent consultations in adults, especially in middle-aged men who have very sedentary jobs such as office workers. The pain can last for days, weeks, or even years and allow no freedom of movement.
“Sciatica” manifests itself when the sciatic nerve is compressed due to movement, lifting a lot of weight, or simply leaving the back in the same position for hours on end every day. The roots of this nerve begin in the spinal cord and exit through the vertebrae, down behind the buttocks and to the outer edge of the foot.
Some of the most common causes of sciatica are:
- Herniated vertebral disc.
- Lumbar canal stenosis.
- Pyrifiorme syndrome.
- Paget’s disease
The symptoms of this condition are:
- Pain that varies in intensity depending on the movement.
- Inability to move freely, for example, to get out of bed, tie shoelaces, or lift something off the floor.
- Alterations in skin sensitivity.
- Muscle weakness.
- Lack of reflexes.
- Lameness when walking.
LOW BACK PAIN
The vast majority of people have suffered from low back pain at least once in their lives. Also called “lumbago”, it is a pain in the torso area, more precisely from where the ribs end to where the buttocks end.
It is the main cause of disability and is suffered more by people between 20 and 45 years of age. It intensifies as you age. The spine is made up of different bones (vertebrae) that are separated by cartilage discs that cushion shocks or movements. In turn, the vertebrae are covered with a thin layer of cartilage and held in place by muscles and ligaments.
The lumbar part is the lower back and consists of five vertebrae, which connect the chest to the pelvis and legs. It allows us to turn, move, bend and bend and gives us the strength to get up, walk, run and stand. When you suffer from low back pain, you feel pain when doing any of these activities.
There are two types of low back pain: specific and non-specific. In the former, the cause of its appearance is known, something that happens in 20% of cases. Some of the reasons why the problem is triggered are: osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis), osteoporosis, herniated disc, and spinal stenosis. In the case of non-specific low back pain, the remaining 80% of patients do not know the origin of the pain. The factors that trigger it most frequently are lifting very heavy loads, stress, repeated incorrect postures or psychological factors, among others.
Another classification for low back pain is based on how long the pain is sustained: acute (less than 7 days long), subacute (7 days to 7 weeks), and chronic (more than 7 weeks).
How can sciatica and lumbago be treated?
According to traditional Chinese medicine, sciatica and low back pain problems also affect the kidneys and bladder and attribute it to excessive consumption of meat, spicy foods and alcohol, among others. There is a psychological theory that indicates that it is a somatization due to unresolved emotional problems such as, for example, lack of work, abandonment, divorce, poverty, etc.
But beyond determining what may be causing these pains in your back and legs (depending on the case), it is good to know several solutions or treatments. The most effective and natural are:
- Perform massages
Place almond oil, mixed with rosemary essence and arnica extract, all in the same proportion, in a bowl. It is massaged from the sole of the foot and raised to the lower back. This warms up and relaxes the body. To make the technique even more effective, it is recommended to continue with massages on the entire body, especially on the shoulder blades, shoulders and nape of the neck.
- Go to therapy
In the event that the pain is caused by an emotional or psychological problem, we must go to a therapist. This will relieve pain, as the patient will feel more relieved when talking about problems, traumas, and fears.
- Exercise
Certain types of movements or disciplines, such as yoga, tai chi, swimming, pilates or aquagym can help improve the picture. It is always good to perform the exercise as far as the body “starts to complain”, without forcing it too much. We must not forget the previous warm-up and the final elongation.
- Be on the move
It is not advisable to be overly rested or to sit still in the same position for many hours at a time. At work, get up every hour and take a “little walk,” for example.
- Apply heat
If you don’t have anyone who can give you massages or you don’t have the money to pay for a specialist, it’s a good idea to place an electric pad on the painful area for half an hour, while you watch TV, read, or chat with someone.
Source: Better with Health
