Is that a lumbago?

A pinched sciatic nerve by definition is equivalent to a lumbago. Due to hardening of the musculature and the associated poor posture, the sciatic nerve, for example, can be pinched and then trigger the typical symptoms of lumbago. These consist of a sudden, extreme pain at a point along the spine. This pain can last up to 2 days and can occur together with a restriction of movement. After this time, there should be an improvement, if the pain can continue for another two days in an attenuated form.

Sciatic nerve jammed or herniated disc – These are the differences

The sciatic nerve can be pinched for several reasons. A herniated disc is not always responsible. And not every herniated disc causes the sciatic nerve to be trapped.

Along the spinal column, instability and loss of elasticity of the intervertebral disc fiber rings can occur. Within these rings lies a so-called gelatinous core, which can protrude when the fibrous ring tears and can press on emerging nerves. This causes the symptoms of a herniated disc.

If the gelatinous core emerges at the level of the sciatic nerve, it can irritate it and lead to pain, paralysis or discomfort. It can also lead to problems with urination or stopping urine or stool. A slipped disc does not always have to be painful.

Whether it is a herniated disc or another cause of sciatic nerve entrapment can be determined by diagnostic imaging procedures or clinical examination. Other reasons for a pinched sciatic nerve can be, for example, inflammation, arthrosis, narrowing of the spinal canal or muscle swelling.

How can you recognize a herniated disc?

Therapy

If the sciatic nerve is pinched, it is necessary to determine the exact cause before treatment. It is not always possible to completely eliminate the symptoms of nerve entrapment, because if the nerve is severely and/or prolongedly entrapped, the nerve tissue is usually unable to regenerate completely. What needs to be done in individual cases is directed against the respective cause.

One of the most common causes of sciatica, i.e. nerve pain of the sciatic nerve, is a herniated disc. In almost all cases, these can be treated conservatively, i.e. non-surgically. Back training and movement therapies in particular are important cornerstones of effective treatment.

In addition, pain therapy always plays an important role. This depends on the subjective perception of the severity of the symptoms by the patient and can range from over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen to stronger non-opioid painkillers such as novamine sulfone and weak opiates. In severe cases, infiltration of the affected nerve root with a local anesthetic and glucocorticoids can also be used, which on the one hand inhibit inflammation of the nerve and surrounding tissue and on the other hand, in most cases, allow effective pain elimination.This so-called “periradicular therapy” is carried out with the help of imaging techniques to prevent damage to the nervous structures.

In the acute situation, measures such as drug therapy with painkillers and muscle relaxants and targeted stretching and movement exercises are of particular importance. Bed rest is not recommended nowadays. However, physical measures, especially in combination with physiotherapy, can also make a decisive contribution to alleviating symptoms.

Warmth in particular can be helpful here, as it stimulates blood circulation and therefore has a relaxing effect on the muscles. The heat can be applied in various ways. Hot-water bottles and compresses, but also heat lamps and heat baths are frequently used.

Whether this therapy is actually necessary to treat ischialgia depends primarily on how well other conservative treatment methods work, or how severely a patient feels restricted by his or her ischialgia. A syringe should not be used lightly in any case. Even though the procedure can usually be used by experienced doctors without any problems, there is still a greater risk of suffering side effects compared to taking painkillers in tablet or drop form.

Ultimately, however, no website in the world can make the decision for or against an injection for you. Instead, discuss your complaints and considerations with your doctor or get a second opinion if you have serious doubts. This is the only way to get a comprehensive picture of the necessity and risks of periradicular therapy.

It has been proven that the practice of adapted sports exercises for the pinched sciatic nerve is beneficial for the further healing process. Bed rest should be avoided as far as possible and attempts at physical activity should be made again and again. It is recommended to start with light walks.

People who are otherwise very fit find jogging very pleasant. Swimming can also be very helpful in some cases. Yoga and special stretching exercises help to relax certain muscle groups around the pain point.

Back training can help to relieve the sciatic nerve and to practice the correct posture more. Once the sciatic nerve is pinched, initial exercises can relieve the pain. If the pain shoots up suddenly, it is a good idea to lie on your back, bend your legs and raise your lower leg.

This stretches the leg and thus relieves the pain. The most important thing is to relieve the back immediately, as this also relieves the pressure on the sciatic nerve. The acute pain can be relieved by walking lightly, whereby care should be taken not to overdo it.

Sitting instead of walking is less suitable, as it increases the pain of sciatica. The best way to prevent sciatica is to sit up straight and to train your back. In addition, certain movement exercises can be done which, if repeated regularly, prevent pain of the sciatic nerve.

However, if the pain worsens while performing the exercises, it is recommended to stop the training immediately and a visit to a doctor is highly recommended. It is also important to make sure that you always perform the exercises correctly, preferably after you have performed them for the first time under professional guidance. This is the only way to guarantee that the exercises are beneficial for recovery and do not worsen the symptoms.

For the first exercise lie on your back and pull your knee towards your shoulder. This movement should be performed equally frequently on both sides. Then both knees should be pulled towards the shoulders at the same time.
This movement should also be repeated as often as the previous exercise.
The next exercise is to stretch one leg straight forward while standing and bring it back to the body. This exercise should be repeated about 10 times per side. Each of the exercises should be repeated daily in three to four sets without overexerting yourself.
Only through continuous training can the symptoms improve.
Some special exercises can relieve the sciatic nerve and relax the muscle region around it. A good exercise is to lie with your back on the floor.Then one leg is bent and the knee is pulled towards the chest; with the arms around the knee, a slight rotation of the upper body to the side of the outstretched leg is performed next.
For another exercise, stand in front of a shelf slightly lower than hip-high and place the foot of the right outstretched leg on it. Then the lower back and the hip flexors are stretched by grasping the lower leg or the right foot with both hands and try to bring the nose to the knee.
A fifth exercise requires you to sit on the floor with your legs stretched out.
Bend your right knee and place your right foot on the floor to the left of your left knee. Then turn your upper body 90° to the right and pull your left elbow sideways from your right knee. This is to be held for 30 seconds and then exercised with the other side as well.