How to Adapt Your Workouts With Knee Pain
Physical activity is vital for your mental and physical health, but knee pain may force you to change your normal workout. Here's how you can adapt your workout to still reap the benefits of exercise.
Signs You Have Sciatica
From muscle strains to herniated discs, there are many reasons why your back might hurt, and identifying the underlying cause is the first step in finding relief. Wondering if your pain is related to sciatica? Sciatica is a common cause of leg and back pain, and it affects 4 out of 10 people. In this blog, our team of providers highlights the four signs of sciatica.
1. Back pain
When your sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated 一 whether from spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease 一 it causes pain. Pain is the leading sign of sciatica, and it can appear as burning, electric, sharp, shooting, or tingling pain in the leg. It can also range from mild nagging pain to debilitating. Intense pain can make it hard to stand up or walk, and certain movements can send jolts of pain down your leg.
2. Pain that radiates down one leg
One of the most prominent signs that your back pain is related to sciatica is that the pain radiates through your buttocks and down one leg. Sciatica pain typically affects one leg. If your leg pain is in both legs, you might be dealing with a herniated disc rather than sciatica. In either case, a thorough examination and diagnostic imaging can confirm the cause of your discomfort.
3. Numbness
Sciatica is often a symptom of a more significant issue, such as lumbar radiculopathy, a pinched nerve in your back. This can lead to numbness in your leg.
4. Weakness
When your sciatic nerve is compressed, you might also experience muscle weakness (in the muscles in which your sciatic nerve runs.) Weakness can also manifest as:
- Difficulty pointing your toes up
- Difficulty bending your knee
- Difficulty bringing your thighs together
You might experience more than one of these symptoms simultaneously. For example, your back pain might worsen when you twist or bend and experience muscle weakness in your leg.
Finding relief from sciatica
There are many at-home strategies you can implement to prevent sciatica flare-ups. This includes:
- Stretching
- Refraining from wearing high heels
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Replacing old or worn-out mattresses
- Using proper form when lifting
- Avoiding the risk factors
- Refraining from sitting on your wallet while driving
- Stay active and exercise regularly
- Take stretching breaks throughout the day, especially if you sit or drive for prolonged hours each day
If sciatica pain does arise, pain medication, stretching, and cold compresses are the go-to solutions for pain relief at home. However, even if you adopt healthy lifting techniques and sleep on a good mattress, some risk factors (such as aging) for sciatica are unavoidable. Our team here at International Spine, Pain & Performance Center offers a variety of treatments and interventional therapies to help you find relief. Depending on the underlying cause of your sciatica, you might benefit from:
- Physical therapy
- Medications including anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and pain medications.
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Biologics injections
- Novel substances as part of one of our Clinical Trials.
- Radiofrequency ablation (which studies show is effective when conservative treatments don’t provide enough relief)
If you spot these sciatica signs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Book an appointment at our Arlington, Virginia, or Washington D.C office and start exploring your sciatica treatment options today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
3 Causes of One-Sided Neck Pain
Pinpointing the source of your neck pain is the first step in finding relief, but what’s causing your one-sided neck pain? Read on to find out three potential causes of one-sided neck pain and how to help.
Myths and Facts About Physical Therapy
Physical therapy refers to a group of therapies, exercises, and techniques that help address countless musculoskeletal issues, but many myths exist. Read on to see if you can sort fact from fiction.
The Truth About Kegels
Kegels may be touted as the best way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, but are they right for you? Read on as we share the truth about Kegels, including when they work and when you might consider other treatments.
Your Treatments for Tendinitis
Tendinitis, sometimes known as tennis elbow or jumper's knee, is a painful condition caused by tendon inflammation. While it's a painful condition, there are many things you can do to alleviate your symptoms. Let's take a look.
What Most Women Don't Know About Vulvodynia
Pelvic pain isn't an easy topic, and vulvodynia is even harder to discuss. For the women who have it, it can sabotage their quality of life. In the spirit of awareness and solitude, here are four facts most women don't know.