Sciatica Care in Springwood
Sciatica describes pain that can travel down your leg when the sciatic nerve is irritated or under pressure in the lower back. Many people use the term as a general label for any lower back discomfort, but sciatica usually involves symptoms that follow a nerve pathway into one or both legs. Understanding the difference can help you make sense of what you’re feeling.
Understanding Sciatica
The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back, through your hips and buttocks, and down each leg. When it’s irritated, symptoms can feel quite different from regular back tightness. This irritation may be linked with factors like a disc bulge, tight surrounding muscles, a bone spur, or tension in the piriformis muscle (which sits close to the sciatic nerve). In many cases, it’s a combination of movement habits, posture, and strain over time.
Signs It May Be Sciatica
Sciatic symptoms often have a clearer “line” down the leg. You might notice sharp, shooting sensations, pins and needles, a heavy feeling in the leg, or reduced confidence with movement. Symptoms often travel past the knee and may reach the calf, ankle, or foot.
Common Contributing Factors
Everyday activities can place extra load on the lower back and surrounding structures. Prolonged sitting can increase pressure through the lower back and discs. Heavy lifting or awkward lifting technique may irritate sensitive tissues. Repetitive bending or twisting, long periods of reduced movement, and sustained postures can also contribute.
Movement Patterns With Sciatica
When symptoms flare, people often change how they move without realising it. You may lean away from the painful side, prefer standing over sitting, or find that certain positions feel more manageable than others. Getting up from a chair, bending, or walking longer distances may feel less easy and fluid than usual.
Supporting Your Comfort
Staying gently mobile is often more comfortable than becoming completely inactive, as long as movements feel manageable for you. Simple changes, such as switching positions regularly, using supportive pillows, and avoiding long periods in one posture, may help reduce irritation.
Get the Care You Need
If you’re experiencing leg pain, tingling, or ongoing lower back discomfort, we’re here to help you understand what may be contributing and discuss various care options. Book an appointment today by calling (07) 3808 8040 and we’ll talk through your symptoms and provide clear next steps.
