Sciatica pain: what to do when the pain moves down the leg

"The sciatica is the longest nerve in the human body - and one of the most sensitive."

Suddenly it moves from the lower back to the buttocks to the thigh: sciatica pain is one of the most common complaints of the musculoskeletal system. It not only affects older people, but also younger people who sit a lot or move incorrectly in everyday life. 

The problem: the pain is not only unpleasant, but often also protracted and persistent. In this article, we explain how sciatica pain develops, how you can recognize it and which treatment options can really help you - especially if you are looking for gentle relief that is suitable for everyday use.

 

Reading tip: Would you like to know which complaints massages can specifically help with? Then take a look at our article: From head to toe - where massages can help.

 

Note: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace a medical diagnosis or treatment. If you have any health complaints, please consult a healthcare professional.

What is sciatica pain and how does it develop?

The sciatic nerve, also known as the sciatic nerve, is the longest and thickest nerve in our body. It runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, down the back of the legs and into the feet. If this nerve is irritated, pinched or inflamed, it causes sciatica pain.

In contrast to "normal" back pain, the symptoms of sciatica typically radiate unilaterally from the lower back to the leg. The cause is usually pressure on the nerve root in the lumbar spine. This pressure can be caused by a herniated disc, muscular tension or incorrect strain.

Hormonal changes, for example during pregnancy, or poor posture when working from home can also cause the sciatic nerve to become irritated.

 

Symptoms: How sciatica pain makes itself felt

Sciatica pain is usually one-sided and affects the buttocks, thigh, calf and sometimes even the foot. The pain can be dull, stabbing, burning or electrifying. Many sufferers report that even small movements such as bending down or sitting become painful.

The pain is particularly typical: it starts in the lower back and travels along the nerve into the leg. Coughing, sneezing or pressing can exacerbate the symptoms. In some cases, numbness, muscle twitching or tingling may also occur. Restricted mobility or loss of strength in the legs can also be signs of sciatica.

 

Causes: What causes the sciatic nerve to hurt?

The most common cause of sciatica pain is a herniated disc in the lumbar spine. The gelatinous material of the intervertebral disc protrudes and presses on the surrounding nerve roots. This compression can irritate the sciatic nerve and cause severe pain that radiates down the leg. This is particularly common in people who work hard physically or who have strained themselves on one side for years.

• Muscular tension in the buttock area (e.g. piriformis syndrome): Even without a slipped disc, the sciatic nerve can come under pressure - for example due to tense muscles. In so-called piriformis syndrome, a small muscle in the buttocks, the piriformis, is shortened or tense and presses directly on the sciatic nerve. This cause is particularly insidious because it is often overlooked. The symptoms are very similar to those of a slipped disc. Stretching exercises and targeted massages can often provide relief.
  
  
• Poor posture due to prolonged sitting or incorrect lifting: Everyday office life, lack of exercise or even lifting heavy loads incorrectly can lead to poor posture and therefore uneven strain on the spine. Over time, muscular imbalances develop which irritate the sciatic nerve due to muscle tension or vertebral displacements. An ergonomic sitting posture and regular exercise are therefore crucial for prevention.
  
  
• Pregnancy due to changes in posture and tissue displacement: During pregnancy, posture changes due to the additional weight and loosening of the connective tissue. The growing belly shifts the statics of the spine - often with consequences for the lower back and the sciatic nerve. Many pregnant women therefore suffer from pulling pains in the back or leg. Even if many traditional massage studios reject pregnant women out of uncertainty, targeted massages by specially trained physiotherapists can help.inside can be very helpful.
  
  → Massage chairs with gentle programs offer an additional option. They can relieve tension without straining the circulation and can be individually adapted to your physical condition.
  
  
• Signs of wear and tear in the spine (e.g. spinal canal stenosis): The spine loses elasticity with increasing age. The intervertebral discs become thinner and the vertebral joints become worn. In the case of spinal canal stenosis, the spinal canal narrows and exerts pressure on the nerves running through it, including the sciatic nerve.
  
  The pain usually occurs when walking or standing and subsides when sitting - a typical warning sign. Targeted exercise therapy, combined with relief through massage, can be helpful here.
  
  
• Chronic poor posture, lack of exercise or one-sided strain: Many sciatica complaints develop gradually, not from a single event, but from years of incorrect or excessive strain. Anyone who moves too little or always strains in the same way (e.g. when carrying bags on one side) risks muscular imbalances that permanently irritate the sciatic nerve.
  
  Gentle, regular movement stimuli and preventative measures such as ergonomic furniture or regular stretching exercises can help here. Regular massage sessions, e.g. with a suitable massage chair, can also help to balance muscular tension and reduce the strain on the nervous system.
  

Treatment: What to do for sciatica pain?

The good news is that most sciatica complaints can be treated well with conservative methods. It is important to become active as early as possible and not to fall into a permanent relieving posture - as this often only exacerbates the symptoms.

Here you will find an overview of the most important treatment approaches - each with background and application recommendations:

Pain medication

In acute phases, when the pain is severe and movement is hardly possible, anti-inflammatory anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or diclofenac can help to relieve the irritation of the sciatic nerve.

Also muscle relaxants are also used if the muscles in the lower back are very tense. However, medication should only be taken in the short term and is primarily used to enable initial mobility.

Physiotherapy

In the long term, targeted exercise is crucial. The Physiotherapy helps to strengthen the deep core musclescorrect poor posture and improve the interaction between the back, abdominal and buttock muscles.

Depending on the cause, manual manual techniques can also be used to mobilize the lumbar spine or to relieve pressure on the nerves. It is particularly important to carry out the exercises regularly, even after the therapy sessions have ended.

Heat applications

Heat stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles. Heat plasters, hot water bottles or cherry stone cushionsare particularly suitable for muscular tension in the lower back or buttocks.

The heat helps to relax tense muscles and calm the transmission of nerve impulses. In the case of acute inflammation, however, it should be carefully checked whether heat can be tolerated individually.

Exercise instead of rest

In the past, rest was considered the most important remedy for back pain - today we know: Movement almost always helps better. Gentle activity such as walking, swimming, cycling or gentle yoga can promote blood circulation, mobilize the joints and counteract tension.

If you hardly move for days on end, you run the risk of the pain becoming chronic or the muscles breaking down further.

Massages

Targeted massages in the lower back and buttock area can help to loosen tense muscle groups and thus reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Especially trigger point massages or myofascial techniques are particularly effective here. The even stimulation promotes blood circulation, calms the autonomic nervous system and can have a positive effect on the perception of pain. Massages are particularly suitable in sub-acute phases or to support relaxation in everyday life.

 

Reading tip: You can find out more about the connection between massage and the nervous system in our article: How massages affect the nervous system

 

Gentle help in everyday life: how massage chairs can help with sciatica complaints

Massages don't always have to come from a professional. Especially for people with chronic complaints or limited mobility, massage chairs are an effective way to experience regular relief. The targeted massage programs release tense muscle groups in the lumbar and buttock area and improve blood circulation - both decisive factors in the irritation of the sciatic nerve.

 

Airbag massage for the buttocks and leg muscles

Many sciatica complaints are caused by deeper, tense muscles - for example in the piriformis or the ischiocrural muscles. The gentle compression provided by airbags specifically stimulates these muscle groupspromotes blood circulation and can therefore reduce tension in the buttocks and thighs. At the same time, the nervous system is calmed by the even stimulation.

 

Heat treatment for deep relaxation

Heat is a proven means of muscle relaxation. Integrated heat functions in modern massage chairs stimulate blood circulation, promote the supply of oxygen to the muscles and help to relieve cramps. Regular application of heat can bring significant relief, especially in the case of chronic tension in the lower back.

 

Zero-gravity position to relieve the spine

In the so-called zero-gravity position, the body is positioned in such a way that the spine is relieved of as much pressure as possible - inspired by the position that astronauts:inside take up during take-off.

The body weight is distributed evenly and the pressure on the intervertebral discs and nerve structures is reduced. This position can provide relief for acute sciatica in particular, as the irritated nerve is relieved.

 

Individually adjustable intensity for sensitive days

Not every pain feels the same every day. Modern massage chairs offer individually adjustable intensity levelsso that you can massage gently or more vigorously depending on your mood on the day. This is particularly important for sensitive areas or in phases when the body reacts particularly sensitively.

 

Which armchair is suitable?

The MSW-300 is particularly suitable for sensitive people with back or sciatic pain. It offers a balanced combination of gentle pressure massage, individually adjustable intensity and heat therapy. In our health collection you will find other models with a focus on therapeutic use - especially for usersinside with sensitive needs and high demands on function and comfort.

 

When sciatica makes itself known, action is better than endurance

Sciatica pain is often severe, but rarely without a reason. If you understand where the pain is coming from, you can take targeted countermeasures. Whether through targeted exercises, gentle movement, heat or massage - there are many ways to find relief. Massage chairs in particular can be a valuable addition: they provide targeted relief, soothing stimuli and regular moments of relaxation.

And finally, back to the beginning: sciatica may be the longest nerve in the body, but with the right knowledge it doesn't have to remain the most stubborn.

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