Sciatic Nerve Pain/Sciatica — Orthopedic's Garden

Sciatic Nerve Pain / Sciatica

Sciatica is a specific type of low back ailment that involves a disc derangement like a bulging or herniated disc with associated peripheral nerve pain/numbness/tingling down the leg. The goal is to centralize the pain that has radiated down the lower extremity.

Information

Sciatica - Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic:

Here’s a description of sciatica and pictures displaying a herniated disk and bone spurs on the spine:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435

What is Sciatica - HonorHealth:

https://www.honorhealth.com/medical-services/spine-care/sciatica

Resources

Absolute Best Exercise for Sciatica & Herniated Disc - McKenzie Approach:

This video demonstrates treatment techniques including Prone Lying (w/ or w/o pillows), Prone on Elbows, Prone Press Ups following the McKenzie Approach.

https://youtu.be/clfpWjqVP6U

7 Exercises for Back Pain Using the McKenzie Method

https://youtu.be/qnzg5ry1p10

Lumbar / Low Back Pain

Oww. Oww. My back. My back.

Localized back pain? Or is it radiating? This is where things get complicated. If your symptoms radiate down your leg (pain/numbness/tingling), check out the SCIATIC NERVE PAIN/SCIATICA section below.

Information

Low Back Pain | OrthoInfo

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/low-back-pain/

Learn about disk injury and degeneration, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and spinal fractures and the basics of diagnosing and treating said causes of low back pain.

Neurosurgeon explains: Doctor recommended treatment of Low Back Pain - the first 12 weeks. | Best Practice Health

This 4-minute video reviews conservative treatment options from neurosurgeon Dr. Dan Lieberman including self-care options at home, physical therapy, chiropractic care, injections from a pain management specialist, etc.

https://youtu.be/6U_LOafKnd0

Lumbar Back Bracing Study | clinicaltrials.gov

This article discusses the use of lumbar braces for use of acute low back as a conservative treatment option in adjunct to other conservative treatment options vs the less effective use of them for chronic low back pain sufferers.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03484403

Infrared Radiation in the Management of Musculoskeletal Conditions and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review | National Library of Medicine

This research article discusses the use and efficacy of infrared light therapy for a number of musculoskeletal conditions and admits that further research is necessary to establish formal indications and a treatment program in the field of medicine. But concludes that it can be a safe and effective complementary therapy. Read the specifics here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8946909/

Resources

For non-specific/localized low back pain more along the lines of general aching of the low back. Care and caution needs to be taken if there is disk involvement or other spinal pathologies.

Back Pain Relief Exercises & Stretches - Ask Doctor Jo

Posterior Pelvic Tilt, Bridges, Single Knee to Chest Stretch, Double Knee to Chest, Trunk Rotation, Prayer Stretch.

https://youtu.be/2VuLBYrgG94

Yoga For Lower Back Pain | Yoga With Adriene

15-minute real time yoga practice

https://youtu.be/XeXz8fIZDCE

Yoga For Back Pain | Yoga Basics | Yoga With Adriene

31-minute real time yoga practice

https://youtu.be/phuS5VLQy8c