Sciatica

Sciatica is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, or tingling that travels from your lower back down through the leg. The pain often follows the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lumbar spine to the feet. Hence, it is referred to as sciatica. 

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, our expert podiatrists have extensive experience and knowledge in addressing issues related to sciatica. They will provide you with empathetic care that helps you understand your pain, manage your symptoms, and allow you to enjoy comfortable movement.

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica develops when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. This large nerve is responsible for connecting the spinal cord to the lower limbs. When it’s inflamed, you may experience shooting pain down the leg, tingling, or weakness that affects your ability to walk or stand.

The pain may start in the lower back and radiate through the buttocks, thigh, calf, or even the foot. Some people describe it as a burning sensation. Others feel sharp jolts of pain. It can affect one or both legs, depending on where your nerve irritation occurs.

Our dedicated team frequently sees patients who experience leg pain and numbness that worsen after prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Some report that simple actions, such as bending or twisting, cause them acute discomfort. If this sounds familiar to you, it is worth booking an appointment at one of our Gold Coast Clinics.

Properly assessing your symptoms will enable our podiatrists to confirm whether the pain is caused by sciatica or another issue, such as muscle strain or joint dysfunction.

The Anatomy Behind Your Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the body’s longest nerve. It is made up of five nerve roots in the lumbar spine. When these roots are pinched or irritated by a herniated disc, bone spur, or tight muscles, the result is nerve compression. This can lead to radiating pain.

In some cases, piriformis syndrome, when the muscle in the buttocks tightens around the sciatic nerve, can also trigger similar symptoms.

Common Signs You May Have Sciatica

Symptoms may vary between patients. But some of the most common symptoms of sciatica include:

• Pain radiating from the lower back to the foot.

• Tingling or numbness in one leg.

• Weakness in the calf or foot muscles.

• Difficulty walking or standing for long periods.

• Shooting pain that worsens when coughing or sneezing.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s best to get them checked out by one of our Gold Coast podiatrists. They will perform a biomechanical assessment, from which they will be able to develop a personalised treatment plan.

Causes and Contributing Factors of Sciatica

Sciatica is often the result of nerve root irritation in the lower spine. However, several factors can contribute to its development. That is why it is essential to understand the cause of your pain, as this will help to determine the best treatment path.

Disc and Spinal Issues

A slipped or herniated disc is one of the most common causes of sciatica. When a disc presses on a nerve, it leads to inflammation. You can also experience pain along the sciatic nerve pathway.

Other spinal conditions, such as degenerative disc disease or spinal misalignment, can also cause pressure on nearby nerves.

Muscular, Postural & Biomechanical Influences

Sometimes, sciatica isn’t directly caused by the spine. Instead, muscle tightness, and in particular the piriformis muscle, can irritate the nerve. Additionally, poor posture, repetitive lifting, and incorrect walking patterns can all place extra strain on the pelvic alignment and foot biomechanics. In doing so, it increases the risk of nerve irritation.

Flat feet, leg length difference, and other gait imbalances may also trigger your symptoms. Indeed, at Gold Coast Foot Centres, we frequently treat patients whose foot mechanics majorly contribute to their ongoing lower back pain and sciatic nerve pain.

Who Is at Greater Risk of Sciatica?

You may be more likely to develop the condition of sciatica if you:

• Have a sedentary lifestyle.

• Work in a job that requires repetitive bending or lifting.

• Are pregnant or overweight.

• Have a history of spinal misalignment.

• Experience walking difficulties or foot posture problems.

If you fall into any of these categories and are experiencing symptoms of sciatica, it is advisable to consult one of our podiatrists to have them assessed.

Diagnosing Your Sciatic Nerve Pain

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, we use a combination of clinical assessments and biomechanical testing to identify the underlying cause of your nerve pain. When diagnosing sciatica, it is essential to conduct a thorough analysis of your symptoms to rule out other conditions that may be caused by it.

Comprehensive Assessment of Foot & Lower Limb Biomechanics

During your consultation, your podiatrist will examine your foot biomechanics, leg length, and walking pattern to assess your overall foot health.

They will then use these findings to determine how your walking and standing posture affects your spine and pelvic alignment. In some cases, poor foot posture or uneven weight distribution can cause nerve compression and chronic lower back pain.

Identifying Nerve-Related vs. Muscular vs. Structural Pain

Our team will identify whether your pain stems from nerve entrapment, muscle tightness, or structural changes in the spine. By doing this, they will help ensure your treatment plan targets the root cause of your issues rather than just the symptoms.

Effective Sciatica Treatment & Relief Options

At Gold Coast Foot Centres, our sciatica treatment programs focus on three core aspects. Relieving pain, correcting alignment, and preventing recurrence of the condition.

We are committed to helping patients return to their normal activities as quickly as possible.

Podiatry-Led Solutions

Our podiatrists are highly experienced in treating sciatica in patients on the Gold Coast. In particular, when the pain is associated with poor foot or leg mechanics.

As part of our treatment, we may prescribe custom orthotic therapy. This can realign your posture, balance weight evenly, and reduce stress on the lower back.

We may also use foot and ankle strapping, dry needling, or specific strengthening exercises to ease any muscle tension you may be experiencing. Wearing supportive footwear and having regular podiatry check-ups to monitor your spinal alignment and for any nerve irritation is also recommended.

Home-Based Care & Self-Management

Managing sciatica at home can be an important part of the recovery process. That is why your Gold Coast podiatrist may recommend:

• Stretching the hamstrings and glute muscles.

• Gentle mobility exercises for the lower back.

• Heat or cold therapy to reduce inflammation.

• Avoiding prolonged sitting or poor posture.

These simple measures can help you improve your circulation. They can also relieve nerve compression and encourage faster, natural healing.

When Surgery or Referral May Be Necessary

In rare cases, chronic nerve pain does not respond to conservative care. Therefore, your podiatrist may refer you to a specialist in spine care.

Surgery is only really considered as an option when symptoms persist despite all other treatment options being administered. Our team works closely with other medical professionals to ensure you receive the best possible care for your sciatic nerve pain.

How to Prevent Sciatica from Recurring

The best way to prevent sciatica pain from returning is to focus on maintaining a healthy spine and balanced foot biomechanics. Our podiatrists at Gold Coast Foot Centres will guide you on the most practical ways to avoid future flare-ups.

Lifestyle Habits

You will be encouraged to stay active with regular low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, or yoga. These activities strengthen your core muscles and should improve your overall flexibility.

You will also be encouraged to maintain a proper posture while sitting and standing. Additionally, you’ll be advised to take regular breaks if your work involves long hours at a desk or heavy lifting.

Foot Care, Orthotics & Gait Correction

Correcting foot posture with custom orthotics can be a great way to reduce the risk of sciatica from recurring. These devices help to support the arches, stabilise the pelvis, and prevent uneven pressure through the lumbar spine.

Our podiatrists can assess your gait pattern by creating orthotics that suit your needs and lifestyle.

When to Come in for a Check-Up

If you notice leg pain, numbness, or weakness that doesn’t improve after a few days, it’s best to book a consultation.

The earlier sciatica can be assessed and diagnosed, the more effectively it can be treated.

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