Video and instructions on how to properly massage when the sciatic nerve is pinched

Neurologist (algologist)

Vasilenko

Marina Gennadievna

25 years of experience

Head of the Pain Treatment Center, neurologist-algologist, member of the Society of Neurologists and Neurosurgeons, Russian Society for the Study of Pain, Association of Interdisciplinary Medicine, International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)

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Sciatica of the sciatic nerve is an inflammatory disease, which, due to the degree of discomfort it causes, is included in the list of the most painful human pathologies. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve fiber in the human body, connecting the spinal column to the lower limb. It starts in the lumbar region and ends in the phalanges of the toes. It is a paired organ present in both lower limbs. When the nerve fiber is compressed, severe pain occurs, which is localized in the sacral area, spreading to the buttock, thigh and lower down to the foot.

Symptoms of the disease

The most important symptoms of sciatic nerve sciatica are:

• pain localized in any part of the body along the passage of the nerve fiber: in the lower back, buttock, back of the thigh, lower leg, foot;
• loss of sensitivity, numbness of the lower limb along the nerve fiber;
• paresthesia - tingling sensations, “pins and needles” in the foot and toes.

The nature of the pain is most often shooting, but it can also be burning, dull, aching, etc. During periods of exacerbation, when moving the spine or leg, it can intensify and become unbearable. As a rule, the disease affects one limb, but sometimes pain appears in both legs at once. In the most severe cases, the disease leads to paralysis of the leg muscles, sometimes spreading to the pelvic muscles, causing urinary and fecal incontinence in the patient.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve

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Article written according to scientific standards and reviewed by a medical professional

This text is consistent with medical literature, medical guidelines, and current research and has been reviewed by medical professionals. Sources and author.

Goosebumps, stabbing, pressing, aching pain, burning sensation or numbness - inflammation of the sciatic nerve can manifest itself in very different ways. But in all cases, this is a problem that requires a quick response and consultation with a doctor.

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve: where and why does it hurt?

The sciatic nerve is the longest in the body. It begins in the lumbar region and descends along the lower extremities, while branching into smaller nerves. Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is a painful sensation that spreads along the entire length of the nerve and significantly impairs a person’s quality of life.

There are many reasons that lead to inflammation:

• Hypothermia;
• A complication after an infection (for example, influenza, or tuberculosis);
• Problems with the spine: tumors, osteochondrosis, deformation of intervertebral discs and others;
• Arthritis;
• Some gynecological diseases;
• Diabetes;
• Constant work with heavy lifting;
• Spasms of the piriformis and gluteus maximus muscles.

It should also be noted that inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica) more often occurs in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. It's even worse if a person has alcoholism. Gout and frequent poisoning negatively affect the functioning of the sciatic nerve.

Symptoms of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Inflammation of the sciatic nerve can manifest itself in so many different ways that a person without medical education is unlikely to suspect this problem.

The first symptom is pain. She is different. This may be a burning sensation, tingling, numbness and so on. Moreover, the pain will “give” to the legs, heels, and buttocks. At first, attacks may be brief and occur several times a year. But if you don’t pay attention to the body’s signals, the situation will only get worse.

Other symptoms of sciatica that should alert you to:

1. Pain in one limb. Yes, most often the disease affects only one leg. But there are cases when both legs suffer.
2. Losing weight in the affected limb.
3. Numbness of the lower body.
4. Edema.
5. Impaired sweating of the feet.
6. Redness of the skin.

Why is inflammation of the sciatic nerve dangerous? The truth is that over time it will manifest itself so strongly that it will not only become difficult for a person to walk, but even to stand or sit. Therefore, you shouldn’t wait for your legs to give out. It is better to consult a doctor in time and identify the problem at its initial stage of development.

Diagnosis and treatment of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

During your visit to a specialist, you will tell us what, when and how long it has been hurting. A neurological examination will be performed, as well as a skin examination. Only after confirming the diagnosis will the attending physician be able to determine the extent of the disease and select effective treatment. Note that this problem can be treated surgically very, very rarely. As they say, in extreme cases.

The main treatment for inflammation of the sciatic nerve is conservative and includes:

• Medicines: anti-inflammatory and painkillers, as well as vitamins and, if necessary, hormones.
• Using a variety of ointments and gels also helps.
• Physiotherapeutic procedures;
• Gymnastics;
• Massage.

If the inflammation is acute, the patient is prescribed rest and bed rest.

Many also resort to treatment with folk remedies. But it should be understood that pine baths and hot compresses can only be auxiliary, and only with the permission of a doctor. Self-medication is strictly not recommended.

Massage for inflammation of the sciatic nerve

Likewise, it is not recommended to practice self-massage after taking a video course on the Internet. Any massage is an impact on the muscles. And if we are talking not just about a moment of relaxation, but about a medical procedure, it is better to consult a specialist.

Professional massage for inflammation of the sciatic nerve can:

• restore normal metabolic processes in the intervertebral discs;
• eliminate spasms;
• eliminate constriction of nerve endings;
• stimulate lymph flow and blood circulation;
• saturate tissues with oxygen;
• relax.

You should refuse a massage only during an exacerbation of the disease.

Prevention of inflammation of the sciatic nerve

However, inflammation of the sciatic nerve can be prevented. If you have a sedentary job, do not forget to do regular warm-ups. Don't get too cold and take care of your daily health. It is also important for prevention:

1. Take B vitamins;
2. Take frequent walks in the fresh air and exercise enough;
3. During diagnosis and correction of metabolic disorders in the body;
4. Strengthen your back muscles;
5. Protect yourself from drafts;
6. Temper the body;
7. Watch your posture.

Healthy sleep and a healthy lifestyle are the best prevention of any disease, including inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This is a disease that develops gradually, but can strike outright if it is not stopped in time. Take care of yourself and follow the signals your body gives you.

All information presented in the blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace an in-person consultation with a doctor!

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Still have questions? Ask!

Sources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/what-is-sciatica#1
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/sciatica
4. https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/sciatica/inflammation-sciatic-nerve-sciatica

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Causes

Sciatica of the sciatic nerve is a disease that can be caused by a number of reasons, either vertebrogenic, i.e. associated with the spine, or non-vertebrogenic.

• Compression of the sciatic nerve or its branches is the most common cause of pain resulting from deformation, herniated disc, inflammation of the piriformis muscle, or a displaced vertebra.⁠
• Injuries to the lower spine, pelvis, or limb can cause nerve compression and damage to nerve endings.
• Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the spine - osteochondrosis, spondyloarthrosis - lead to compression of the sciatic nerve.
• Infectious diseases - scarlet fever, influenza, malaria, etc. - are accompanied by the release of toxins leading to inflammation of the nerve fiber.
• Toxins that enter the body from the outside - at work, when drinking alcoholic beverages - can also cause inflammation.
• Systemic diseases - diabetes, gout, etc. - become the background for the appearance of pain.
• A malignant or benign tumor compressing the nerve is another probable cause of the pathology.
• Hypothermia or excessive physical activity sometimes become the beginning of the inflammatory process.

Some experts identify the psychosomatics of sciatic nerve sciatica as a separate group of causes, believing that the disease can develop against the background of excessive psychological tension, stress, chronic fatigue, fear or phobia.

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Diagnostics

In most cases, it is possible to determine whether a patient has inflammation of the sciatic nerve after an initial examination. The doctor checks the patient's reflexes and evaluates his gait. Often people suffering from sciatica begin to drag their leg or the movement of the limb becomes unnatural. This is all due to loss of sensation in the leg, weakening of muscles or severe pain.

If the primary diagnosis can be carried out in the simple conditions of a hospital office, then understanding what exactly caused the disease is much more difficult. Often, advanced techniques such as MRI must be used to accurately identify the causes of sciatica. Magnetic resonance imaging helps to identify disorders of the structure of the spine, displacement of intervertebral discs, cracks, injuries, and hernia. This diagnostic method is characterized by high accuracy and maximum convenience for the patient.

Establishing diagnosis

This disease is characterized by a rather complex diagnosis, the first stage of which is conducting reflexology tests for flexion and extension of the leg. To finally clarify the clinical picture, the following is prescribed as necessary:

• lab tests;
• X-ray of the affected area;
• MRI;
• ;
• electroneuromyography;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic area.

The task of a neurologist is to identify symptoms characteristic of sciatica, and treatment should be aimed at eliminating the causes of nerve fiber compression.

Main treatment methods

The first criterion on the basis of which the doctor draws conclusions about whether a patient can be given a massage is the absence of sharp and severe pain. Effective drug treatment will help to remove them:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• pain-relieving ointments, plasters;
• B vitamins and their combinations with other medications.

Injections, tablets, suppositories and ointments will help eliminate the cause of the pain, after which you can safely receive massage sessions.

Treatment

The choice of therapeutic methods depends on the severity of the clinical manifestations of the disease. When initially contacting a neurologist, conservative methods of treating sciatica of the sciatic nerve prevail:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• hormonal drugs for the most severe cases;
• analgesics that relieve pain;
• antispasmodics, muscle relaxants.

Great importance is attached to all kinds of physiotherapeutic methods, which are used both during exacerbations (UHF, electrophoresis, laser or magnetic therapy) and after them.

Massage for sciatica of the sciatic nerve is of great benefit, significantly prolonging periods of remission. Depending on the nature of the compressive factor, the patient may be prescribed a general massage to relax the spinal muscles, therapeutic, acupressure or cupping. In many cases, acupuncture sessions bring considerable benefit.

Therapeutic exercises for sciatica of the sciatic nerve is another extremely useful technique, widely used after the acute phase of the disease. Moderate physical activity aimed at strengthening the muscle corset and improving blood supply to the tissues of the back, pelvis and limbs allows patients to maintain their body in good physical shape and prevent recurrence of attacks of pain.

Acupressure for sciatica

Acupressure is a fairly extensive section of massage; it can be carried out according to various techniques. It is possible to perform a massage either with the hands of a massage therapist or with the use of additional means, due to which the greatest degree of impact can be achieved.

If we consider acupressure from the point of view of advantages for such a problem as a pinched nerve of the lumbar region, then it is possible to indicate the following:

1. The most accurate impact on the subject of the problem.
2. The ability to relax certain muscle groups while avoiding neighboring ones.
3. Improving blood circulation in the area of ​​the inflamed nerve node.

Statistics

Sciatica is a fairly common disease in the age group from 35 to 50 years. It is at the most active age that the majority of initial visits to the doctor occur. The disease affects men more often than women. According to some experts, throughout their lives, up to 40% of people have at least once experienced an attack of pain in the sacral lumbar region, buttock or back of the thigh, but not all of these attacks become chronic and protracted. Cases of visiting a doctor are about 20-25 people per 100 thousand population.

Benefits and types of massage treatments

Massage procedures have a therapeutic effect in the following areas:

• increase blood flow to the affected area;
• remove muscle tension and spasms;
• help restore motor activity;
• calm the nervous system;
• prolong remission.

Massage will help speed up the patient's recovery and enhance the effect of medications.
Any type of massage can be combined with therapeutic physical exercises. There are the following types of procedures:

• general treatment course;
• acupressure (acupressure technique);
• cans (vacuum effect);
• self-massage;
• using honey;
• applicators-massagers.

Among these techniques, there are those that are best left to a professional (for example, a course of treatment or acupressure). The self-massage technique is simple; many patients master it on their own. You can learn how to make jars at home. People who have suffered from sciatica for years have been practicing honey massage and using applicators.

Before the massage session, you need to take a shower and be sure to empty your bladder and intestines.

Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica of the sciatic nerve in Moscow

JSC "Medicine" invites Muscovites and guests of the capital to consultations on the diagnosis and treatment of sciatica of the sciatic nerve. At your service are the most modern diagnostic and physiotherapeutic equipment, as well as the qualifications and experience of medical personnel. In our clinic, we see neurologists and orthopedists of the highest category, who can relieve pain in the shortest possible time and return you to a full life. Call us to make an appointment with a specialist, or leave a request online on our website.

How to treat

If a person is diagnosed with a pinched sciatic nerve, then his treatment will be complex and consist of several stages. First of all, the doctor prescribes medication. These are various painkillers, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, which are required in order to relieve the primary, acute symptoms.

After this, it is the turn of physiotherapy. It must be taken through the course. And even in the case when all tangible symptoms have passed, the person feels well and nothing bothers him - interrupting treatment is strictly not recommended. A huge number of problems in the future arise precisely because the person has not received proper treatment.

But massage for pinched sciatic nerves can be applied at any stage. The specialist determines the patient’s condition, the location of the problem and decides whether the procedure can be performed or whether it needs to wait. And if possible, then which of the available methods is advisable to use to speed up the healing process. But the most important thing is that you need to choose a technique that definitely won’t do any harm in a particular case.