Some individuals initially feel back pain, but after several weeks or months, this pain starts spreading to the legs. Most people assume it is just a back problem and try to treat it with yoga or various types of exercises, but they do not find relief. Information regarding the cause of this condition and its potential treatment is provided.
If back pain gradually reaches one or both legs via the hip, it could be sciatica. According to physicians, several nerves emerge from our spine and go to the legs; when these nerves are compressed, the pain starts in the back and travels down to the legs.
Professor Dr. Daljeet Singh, former Head of the Neurosurgery Department at GB Pant Hospital, shed light on this topic. According to Dr. Singh, sciatica itself is not a disease; rather, it is called sciatica when the sciatic nerve is compressed. In most cases, this problem arises due to disc issues in the lumbar spine, i.e., the spine above the hips. As this problem worsens, pressure gradually builds up on the nerves, resulting in pain that initially remains confined to the back spreading to the legs. However, not all pain radiating from the back to the leg is sciatica; it can also be a sign of another problem with muscles or bones.
Dr. Singh explains that the main objective of treating sciatica is to reduce pain and help the patient move normally. If the patient's symptoms are mild, the condition can be controlled with medication and physiotherapy. However, if the pain is severe, along with symptoms like numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness, treatment with spinal injection can be initiated under a doctor's advice.
If the symptoms are very minor, heat application (hot compress) can be used for pain relief, which should be done for about 20 minutes at a time. Additionally, stretching and light physical activities can help reduce the pressure on the nerve. If there is no improvement in symptoms after a few weeks, it is necessary to consult a specialist physician.