It's Heck Getting Old

Oh My Aching Back!

Sciatic nerve pain, also known as sciatica, is a type of back pain that can be very troublesome. “Sciatic pain is pain that radiates from the sciatic nerve, located in the lower back, down the leg,” says Bradley Wheeldon, PT with Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. The pain can be mild or feel like an intense shock or burning, and can extend from the hip to below the knee.

Pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve causes the pain. “Weakness in the hips and core, incorrect lifting techniques, and poor posture and seated position are the main causes,” says Bradley. Loss of mobility can also result in pain. “As we age, we become less mobile. This leads to restriction of tissue mobility that leads to muscle tightness,” says Bradley. Dehydration can also exacerbate back pain.

SOLUTION 1: BODY FOCUS

If you experience mild pain, focus on your body through movement, posture, and hydration. “Stretching can have an immediate impact on sciatic pain,” says Bradley. He recommends the figure-4 stretch for relief, as long as you do not have hip issues or haven’t had a hip replacement. Correct posture will also help. Bradley recommends standing with your back, feet, and shoulders flat against a wall and imagining a line running straight through from head to toe. “This will provide you with a good awareness of what your posture should look like as you go throughout your day,” says Bradley. He also recommends drinking ample water to ensure hydration.

SOLUTION 2: MEDICAL CARE

If sciatic pain is intense, lasts for a long period of time, or interferes with basic daily functions, contact your doctor. “The first step should be to check with your physician or trusted physical therapist to rule out that there isn’t anything else going on,” says Bradley. If the pain is due to sciatic issues, there are a number of clinical interventions to consider. “Physical therapy will work to develop core strength, improve posture, and strengthen muscles,” says Bradley. Physical therapy is likely to show improvement of symptoms in 4-6 weeks. Other options include injections into the lumbar spine to relieve pain and dry needling. “Dry needling is not a painful procedure. It uses needles to release muscle tension around the nerve,” explains Bradley.

By Tami Pyles

Summer 2023 / Today's Transitions