25/06/2025
WHAT IS SCIATICA?
Sciatica refers to the pain and discomfort caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the longest nerve in the body, running from the lower back and pelvis, through the hip and gluteous maximus area, down to the back of each leg. It controls many of the muscles in these areas. It often starts with a herniated or slipped disc in the spine that causes pain by pressing on the sciatic nerve. There are other causes, however, including obesity, poor posture, tumour, abscess, blood clot, poor sitting position or nerve disorder. Sciatica is a set of symptoms that may differ depending on what is compressing the nerve root. Pain that radiates down the back of the leg, numbness or tingling that extends down to the foot, a quick jolt each time there is a cough or sneeze—sounds like sciatic nerve pain, right? Well, maybe. For one thing, "sciatica" is actually a symptom, not a condition. It's leg pain (anywhere from the lower hip and gluteous maximus region, all the way down to the toes) resulting from a pinched nerve—most likely because of a herniated or slipped disc. Contrary to popular belief, actual back pain doesn't usually come along with sciatica—or it's a minor part of the overall problem. "If a patient has 80% leg pain and minimal back pain, it really turns on our radar for sciatica
WEAKNESS IN THE KNEES
Well, actually just one knee—and it runs throughout the entire leg. The sciatic nerve—the one that gets pinched and causes sciatica is the largest single nerve in the entire body, running from the lower spine all the way down to the foot. When that nerve is pinched, its function is disrupted, resulting in all kinds of unwanted sensations, such as pain, weakness, and tingling. And while pain is pretty common (and often times hard to diagnose), pain and weakness in a single leg acts like a red flag for doctors. "Patients often drive to the emergency room for pain, but it's really the weakness that's concerning—if a patient is getting weak, they should seek care. If the patient is not training for a marathon or logging hours on the treadmill, there's a good chance the leg pain is sciatica caused by a herniated disc, not the less-common piriformis syndrome, which mainly affects athletes. The thing is that piriformis syndrome presents itself almost exactly like sciatica: pain, tingling, numbness starting in the buttocks and extending down the leg. But instead of a slipped disc causing the issues, the piriformis muscle (found in the butt near the top of the hip joint) is pressing on that touchy nerve.
UNDERSTANDING SCIATICA PAIN
Sometimes the pain one thinks is sciatica isn't actually nerve-induced pain at all, but rather, something muscular. So how does one out? Use the thumb, push around on the muscles in the lower back and find the spots that affect the pain. If pain can be triggered by a push—not a gentle push, exert at least 5 to 10 pounds of pressure—the pain is most likely muscular and the result of a shortened, tightened muscle. When a muscle gets stuck in the shortened position, it gets thicker and doesn't get the blood or nutrients that it needs. And when it is pressed on those tightened muscles, especially on the small, tender knot in the center—it can send pain throughout the body.
TESTING
It's the main test doctors use to diagnose sciatica caused by a slipped disc, and it starts with the patient lying down with the feet stretched out. The examiner then raises the straight leg between 30 and 70 degrees. Pain from this test—the kind that radiates down the entire leg, below the knee, and possibly even down to the toes—indicates sciatica. This is because when the affected leg is stretched, the entire sciatic nerve is stretched. If the nerve root is pinched, then it is felt through the stretching movement.
LOSING CONTROL
We're not talking about getting up a few extra times each night, but rather, totally losing control of the bowel and bladder movements. When paired with the typical sciatica pain, doctors treat this as a "surgical emergency. It's extremely rare, but if the spinal column is putting that much pressure on the nerve, it can lead to permanent damage to bowel and bladder function.
THE TREATMENT FOR SCIATICA?
Treatments for Sciatica, Sciathaimin injections, our Osteo inflam Ease and Omega 3 Krill oil is a safe, non-addictive, remedy containing medicines in the form of tablets and injections selected to reduce pain, pressure and inflammation from sciatica. Formulated by our team of experts in medicine, Sciathaimin injections has been used for many years to safely reduce pain, cramping and numbness, without the risk of addiction, drowsiness and other side effects.
Patients can also safely use our Osteo inflam Ease and Omega 3 Krill oil which combines antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving botanicals. It also helps relieve joint pain associated with osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis. Also reduces pain and inflamation and preserve joint function in the knees, hip, shoulder and actively protects against the deterioration of cartilage and restores flexibility and joint integrity.
Contact our medical representative for further information at S&S Medical Clinic .
Call or WhatsApp today and schedule your medical consultation with our Medical team and regain your independence.
S&S Medical Clinic
#52 St Mary's Junction Freeport
Phone/ Whatsapp- 740 3497/393 6297
