Monday, July 28, 2014

What is Sciatica, Really? Causes and Symptoms

Is your back “acting up” again? There are many reasons that people experience back pain, and they range from rather benign to very severe. That's why it's crucial to have your aches and pains evaluated by a professional. In the meantime, if you're wondering if sciatica is a potential culprit, read on.

 
What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a rather general descriptor, and it refers to any type of pain that stems from sciatic nerve irritation. There are many things that can cause sciatica, but it is most often from a compressed root nerve in the lower spine. Sciatica and back pain go hand-in-hand, but back pain isn't the only symptom.
 

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve we have in the human body. In fact, it runs all the way from the lower back through the buttocks and down just below the knee.
 

Many people look at sciatica as a condition, but if you want to get to the real root of the problem, it's better to consider sciatica as a symptom. Yes, the nerve is being compressed, but there's a reason why it's happening. If you want to solve the problem, of course, you need to know what is causing it.
 

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Because sciatica stems from compression of a large and important nerve, it has many potential symptoms. You may have just one, or you may have many. Pain in the lower back and radiating pain down the back of the thigh and into the leg are the most common symptoms. Numbness in the buttocks or leg can also occur.
 

There's more than one type of sciatica

In fact, there are two types. Acute, or short-term, and chronic (or long-term). Usually, acute sciatica resolves itself over two to four weeks, and it can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers and other homeopathic remedies. Chronic sciatica almost always involves some sort of physical therapy or chiropractic care. As an absolute last resort, a patient may undergo surgery for chronic sciatica.


What causes sciatica?

One very common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc that compresses the spinal cord. When a disc is herniated, that means it is temporarily out of place, which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
 

Although a herniated disc is often the cause of sciatica, there are many other potential causes, so it's important to see your doctor if you think you are having symptoms of sciatica. Other potential causes are spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, tumors, spinal infection or injury.
 
 
When the injury that is causing sciatica is to the piriformis muscle in the buttocks, that is called piriformis syndrome. Fortunately, this particular syndrome responds very well to exercise, proper stretching and physical therapy. Our very own Piri-Stretcher® was designed to help target the problematic muscle with at-home stretching in order to the get most out of every stretch.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Focused Stretching for Prevention & Relief of Low Back, Buttocks, Leg Pain

Piriformis Syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve leading to pain or numbness in the buttocks region, and referring pain along the path of sciatic nerve. This referred pain (also known as sciatica) normally descends into the lower rear or the back of the thigh. The syndrome usually develops when the piriformis muscle becomes tight and places pressure on the sciatic nerve which runs beneath it.

Who gets Piriformis Syndrome?

Piriformis Syndrome is common among athletes and active individuals such as runners, swimmers, walkers, golfers, equestrians, and bicyclists. It is also common for those who sit extended periods, whether at home, or working – including truck drivers, delivery drivers, customer service or call center representatives, office staff, and IT representatives. The muscle-related condition creates deep pain in the buttocks region and low back, which is made worse by sitting for long hours.

What are ways to help prevent it?

Prevention is important for Piriformis Syndrome. Ways that can help prevent the Syndrome include exercising or stretching the piriformis and surrounding glute muscles, learning new routines particularly for repetitive activities, and modifying sitting positions. Strengthening the muscles of the buttocks, lower back and hips also helps prevent Piriformis Syndrome. To keep the tendons and muscles supple and flexible, it is essential to undertake a stretching routine. Flexible tendons and muscles are vital in prevention of sprain or strain injuries.

A thorough, proper warm-up is another important measure to help prevent Piriformis Syndrome. A good warm-up helps prepare tendons and muscles for physical activity to come. Without warm-up, the tendons and muscles can become stiff and tight, causing insufficient blood flow to the hip area, which can lead to lack of nutrients and oxygen for the muscles.

What if it’s hard to exercise or warm up when experiencing pain?

It’s definitely a catch 22, you feel pain and don’t want to move, but you need to move to grow stronger in order to help relieve the pain…so now what? Joint rotations are one way to ease into an exercise routine. Rotate your joints starting either from your toes and working your way up, or from your fingers and working your way down. This facilitates joint motion by lubricating the entire joint with synovial fluid, permitting joints to function more easily using slow circular movements, both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Here’s a suggestion for joints and the order to rotate: (in the order given, or in the reverse order):

1. fingers and knuckles

2. wrists

3. elbows

4. shoulders

5. neck

6. trunk/waist

7. hips

8. legs

9. knees

10. ankles

11. toes

Another way to warm up is with a brisk walk. Once you are warmed up, then stretching the piriformis muscle becomes more effective.  Since the muscle is located deep to the glutes, and is not an easy one to get to, we developed the Piri-Stretcher® - a therapy tool which gently guides you to help complete a focused stretch of the piriformis muscle. As with all exercise, and particularly with pain management, it’s important to develop a routine. Set time aside for yourself every day. Focus on your warm up. Focus on your stretching. Focus on YOU. You will feel happy and healthier for it.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Hate Your Piriformis Muscle

You didn't always know where your piriformis was, did you? You may have learned in anatomy class, but even then, it probably didn't stick with you. If you're like most people, you became painfully aware of your piriformis muscle when it started to change your life.

When this muscle is damaged, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause pain or numbness. This condition is called piriformis syndrome. It's a safe bet that the day you were diagnosed was also the day you became a piriformis hater. But don't be so quick to hate. This muscle also does a lot of good.

Here are three reasons you should appreciate your piriformis muscle:

1. You like to walk and run – Although we're often quick to curse the piriformis muscle when it isn't working properly, we usually don't praise it for the things it gets right. So, let's take a moment to be thankful that we have piriformis muscles that help rotate our hips and thighs. It may be making the tasks of walking and running seem difficult now, but if the piriformis muscle was absent, you'd find these tasks much more difficult.

2. It may be protecting you from greater pain – Sometimes, piriformis syndrome is caused by something we're doing. For example, you may be over-pronating your foot when you walk or run, which causes the knee to rotate. Your piriformis muscle springs into action to protect your knee from rotating too far, and in the process, the muscle experiences strain. This isn't always the reason for piriformis syndrome, but it is one possible cause.

3. You can treat yourself at home with minimal effort – If you think you may have piriformis syndrome, it's important to get an accurate diagnosis from a professional. It is possible that your symptoms could be caused by another form of sciatica or something else entirely. Upon diagnosis, your doctor will discuss a treatment plan that will probably include some form of physical therapy and stretching. The good news is that much of the stretching can be done at home. Miracle Stretch® offers a patented therapy tool, the Piri-Stretcher®, designed to help you isolate the piriformis muscle and get a targeted stretch every time. Many of our customers report that with regular use (stretching), their symptoms have subsided. Unlike other forms of sciatica, piriformis syndrome is caused by a damaged muscle, so the treatment usually involves addressing the problem by attempting to heal the muscle. Fortunately, surgery and other invasive treatments are usually a last resort for treating this condition.
 

Note: If over-pronation is a cause of your piriformis syndrome, your doctor may recommend additional treatments, such as orthotics, to help adjust your gait.