In the office environment there are several common musculoskeletal complaints that arise from poor posture, inadequate chair support and poor desk setup.
One of the common problems is sciatica and sciatic pain.
How do I tell if I might have sciatica?
Any pain that originates in your lower back, radiating through your buttock and travelling down the back of your leg – sometimes reaching your foot, can be a sign of sciatica. The pain can be mild to severe and can sometimes be localised to one or two of these areas only. If these muscles feel weak, tingly or numb – this can also be a red flag.
What causes sciatica?
If the sciatic nerve is aggravated by pressure or friction, it causes pain. This can be the result of one of the following.
- A slipped disk – the soft disk between the bones of your spine can bulge.
- Spinal stenosis – an area of your spine that contains nerves can be too narrow.
- Spondylolisthesis – a bone within the column of your spine can come out of position.
- Piriformis syndrome – the piriformis muscle is found in your buttocks. It is not located close to the nerve root, so tecnically any pain caused is not medically recongnised as sciatica. However, it can cause sciatic nerve pain.
What can be done?
- Always seek medical advice from your GP who can safely diagnose sciatica and advise on the best course of action.
- Keep moving – long periods of inactivity will prolong the healing process.
- Heat – applying heat to the affected area increases blood flow and can ease pain and speed recovery.
- Stretching – stretching the muscles will help, a professional Pilates instructor or physiotherapist can help tailor your exercise.
- Keep an eye on your posture at all times – if you work at a desk, ensure the chair has good lumbar support and your screen is the correct height.
- Massage – massage can help ease the pain and aid recovery, maintaining a regular massage routine will help to keep good muscle tone and condition and highlight any potential problems before they get worse.
To learn more about the benefits of corporate massage, email the team now at info@moaningcowmassage.com or call 020 7129 7310
References https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435 https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/stretches-and-exercise-sciatic-pain-piriformis-syndrome
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