CRB clinic
Treatment of sciatica
Relief after the first procedures
License of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine AD No. 063321 dated 06.09.12.
СSymptoms of sciatica that we can help with:
Sciatica can manifest itself in a variety of ways. By addressing the underlying cause (sciatic nerve compression), we also eliminate the symptoms.
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Leg pain (often along the back of the leg) - Numbness or tingling in the leg
- Pain in the buttock, hip joint
- Weakness in the leg, difficulty stepping
- Lower back pain
- Heaviness and numbness in the leg
CRB clinic
Treatment of sciatica
Rapid relief after the first treatments,
and subsequent elimination of the underlying cause of the disease
and subsequent elimination of the underlying cause of the disease
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It most often occurs due to compression or pinching of the nerve.
The most typical and prominent symptom of sciatica is pain in the back of the leg or buttocks. Since the sciatic nerve runs from the lower back to the foot, the pain can radiate to almost any area of the leg and foot, all the way to the toes.
Sensory loss in the legs is the second most common symptom of sciatica. Since the sciatic nerve innervates the skin, numbness, pins and needles, tingling, and burning may occur.
Due to impaired innervation, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and the inability to perform certain foot or toe movements may occur. Due to impaired muscle function, blood circulation is impaired, and a feeling of coldness may be felt in one leg.
If left untreated, the hamstring muscles decrease in size over time, leading to a "thinning" of one leg.
Sensory loss in the legs is the second most common symptom of sciatica. Since the sciatic nerve innervates the skin, numbness, pins and needles, tingling, and burning may occur.
Due to impaired innervation, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and the inability to perform certain foot or toe movements may occur. Due to impaired muscle function, blood circulation is impaired, and a feeling of coldness may be felt in one leg.
If left untreated, the hamstring muscles decrease in size over time, leading to a "thinning" of one leg.
✅ The UK's National Health Service (NHS) has included sciatica in its list of the 20 most painful human diseases.
✅ The condition is common in people over 50 due to age-related changes in the lumbar spine (osteochondrosis, herniation, and protrusion). However, sciatica is also common in younger people, and athletes and pregnant women are at risk.
✅ The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body. It's a paired nerve—it runs symmetrically along both legs, has numerous branches, and innervates not only the muscles of the legs and feet, but also the joints (hip, knee, ankle, and foot joints), as well as the skin of the legs and feet.
This is why sciatic nerve damage causes not only pain but also loss of sensation, muscle weakness, and impaired joint function.
✅ The term "sciatica" was introduced in 1764 by the Italian anatomist and physician Domenico Cotugno, who was the first to describe the sciatic nerve and investigate the causes of its inflammation.
✅ Sciatica is sometimes called sciatica, but this is not entirely accurate. Sciatica is a collective term for all pain symptoms along the sciatic nerve. It can be anything from sciatica to sciatica. Therefore, "sciatica" is not the same as "sciatica," and it is incorrect to use the terms interchangeably.
✅ The condition is common in people over 50 due to age-related changes in the lumbar spine (osteochondrosis, herniation, and protrusion). However, sciatica is also common in younger people, and athletes and pregnant women are at risk.
✅ The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body. It's a paired nerve—it runs symmetrically along both legs, has numerous branches, and innervates not only the muscles of the legs and feet, but also the joints (hip, knee, ankle, and foot joints), as well as the skin of the legs and feet.
This is why sciatic nerve damage causes not only pain but also loss of sensation, muscle weakness, and impaired joint function.
✅ The term "sciatica" was introduced in 1764 by the Italian anatomist and physician Domenico Cotugno, who was the first to describe the sciatic nerve and investigate the causes of its inflammation.
✅ Sciatica is sometimes called sciatica, but this is not entirely accurate. Sciatica is a collective term for all pain symptoms along the sciatic nerve. It can be anything from sciatica to sciatica. Therefore, "sciatica" is not the same as "sciatica," and it is incorrect to use the terms interchangeably.
CRB clinic
Causes of sciatica
Why does the sciatic nerve become inflamed and cause pain?
1. Herniated or displaced vertebrae in the lumbar region
The most common cause of sciatica is compression of the nerve roots in the lumbar spine (L4-L5, S1-S3).
The sciatic nerve is formed by these nerves, so when they are damaged, it becomes inflamed. Pain can be felt in the lower back (radiculitis) or radiate to the buttock or leg along the nerve's course.
Nerve root compression can occur due to a herniated or protruding disc (in the lumbosacral spine), a misalignment of the vertebrae (listhesis), osteochondrosis, or a narrowing of the spinal canal.
The sciatic nerve is formed by these nerves, so when they are damaged, it becomes inflamed. Pain can be felt in the lower back (radiculitis) or radiate to the buttock or leg along the nerve's course.
Nerve root compression can occur due to a herniated or protruding disc (in the lumbosacral spine), a misalignment of the vertebrae (listhesis), osteochondrosis, or a narrowing of the spinal canal.
2. Sciatic nerve compression by muscles
When a muscle spasms, it "swells," increasing in size, becoming stiffer and more tense. These muscles can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve originates in the lumbosacral spine, runs alongside the gluteal muscles, thighs, legs, and feet, and has articular branches.
Muscle spasms can affect the nerve at virtually any point, from the lower back to the feet. But most often, the problem occurs at the upper level—in the lumbar region or pelvis.
Muscle spasms can affect the nerve at virtually any point, from the lower back to the feet. But most often, the problem occurs at the upper level—in the lumbar region or pelvis.
3. Piriformis syndrome
This is a common cause of sciatic nerve compression from muscles in the buttocks. The name of the syndrome derives from the location of the nerve compression: between the piriformis muscle and the sacrospinous ligament. The compression occurs due to spasm of the piriformis muscle.
Rarely, the sciatic nerve passes through the muscle rather than under it. In this case, spasm of the piriformis muscle also causes inflammation and pain.
Piriformis muscle spasms can occur due to excessive strain: walking, running, strain on the lumbar spine, flat feet, or injuries.
Rarely, the sciatic nerve passes through the muscle rather than under it. In this case, spasm of the piriformis muscle also causes inflammation and pain.
Piriformis muscle spasms can occur due to excessive strain: walking, running, strain on the lumbar spine, flat feet, or injuries.
4. Pregnancy and other factors affecting the nerve
Inflammation of the sciatic nerve is most often associated with pressure on it. This pressure can arise not only from internal tissues but also from external factors.
Interestingly, for example, there is so-called "wallet syndrome"—inflammation of the sciatic nerve caused by keeping a wallet in the back pocket.
Sciatica often develops in pregnant women, due to the fetus pressing on the nerve while sitting.
Pressure can also be caused by a tumor, injury, etc. Although rare, an infection can also cause inflammation.
Interestingly, for example, there is so-called "wallet syndrome"—inflammation of the sciatic nerve caused by keeping a wallet in the back pocket.
Sciatica often develops in pregnant women, due to the fetus pressing on the nerve while sitting.
Pressure can also be caused by a tumor, injury, etc. Although rare, an infection can also cause inflammation.
CRB clinic
Treatment of sciatica
We use modern treatment protocols. Our procedures not only relieve pain but also completely eliminate the underlying cause of the condition, preventing recurrence.
Treatment tactics depend on the area and cause of sciatic nerve impingement.
- AnesthesiaFrom the very first procedures, our goal is to alleviate the patient's condition. We select a pain relief method for each case. This may include physical therapy, nerve decompression, or medication.1
- Treatment of hernia and protrusion of the spineThis procedure is performed if the cause is pressure from a herniated or protruding disc on the nerve roots in the lumbar spine. More information about herniated disc treatment can be found in the "Spinal Herniation" section.2
- Muscle treatment, spasm reliefThis is performed if the cause is pressure on the sciatic nerve from muscles. Physiotherapy is used to quickly relieve spasms and restore muscle elasticity.3
Sciatica. When is surgery necessary?
In the vast majority of cases, sciatica is treated conservatively, that is, without surgery.
Exceptions are cases where the cause of the impingement is a lumbar hernia. In these cases, hernias of 1 cm or larger are an indication for surgery. In most cases, however, for hernias up to 1 cm, treatment is conservative, consisting of reducing the hernia and restoring the intervertebral disc without surgery.
Procedures we use to treat sciatica
Warning! Self-medication is dangerous to your health. The procedures provided are for informational purposes only, and are intended to familiarize you with the treatment methods available at CRB Clinic. Treatment effectiveness depends on the specific focus of each procedure.
- Consultation and diagnosticsAt the diagnosis, the doctor uses tests to find out in which area the sciatic nerve has been pinched. The direction and area of influence of all procedures, and therefore the result, depend precisely on the correct diagnosis. At the consultation, the doctor will tell you about the causes of the disease and possible treatment options, make a prescription and give recommendations.
- Shock wave therapyQuickly and effectively eliminates muscle spasms of even the deepest muscles, which will be inaccessible to treatment by hands. It promotes the restoration of muscle fibers and ligaments, which allows you to consolidate the treatment result for a long time.
Apparatus Storz Medical, Switzerland. - AnesthesiaIn acute pain syndrome, harmless anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Before the procedure, an allergy test is performed. The drugs are administered by injection or through the skin with the help of electrophoresis (without punctures).
- Postisometric relaxationThe procedure includes elements of massage, postisometric relaxation, manual correction and heat therapy. The effect of relaxation of spasmodic muscles, correction of pelvic position, decompression of intervertebral discs and reduction of hernial protrusion is achieved.
- KinesitherapyExercises are used for gentle stretching of muscles and ligaments, as well as for restoring uniform tone of all muscles. Depending on the indicated exercises, they can be directed to the feet, thighs, pelvis, lumbar area, etc.