For many executive moms, managing the delicate balance between career ambitions and family responsibilities often comes with its own set of physical challenges. From persistent backaches to nagging neck pain to troublesome nerve pains, often these challenges can be overwhelming. However, amidst these discomforts, confusion often arises when distinguishing between nerve pain in the legs and sciatica. In this blog, lets discuss leg nerve pain and sciatica to provide clarity and insight on these two conditions.
Our spine a complex structure comprising vertebrae stacked atop one another with discs nestled in between, serves as the central support for our body. Nerves exit the spine on either side at the level of these vertebrae, with those at the lumbar spine supplying sensation to the legs, all the way down to the toes. When these nerves experience compression or irritation due to factors like herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spinal degeneration, spinal osteoarthritis or injury, it can lead to a specific type of pain known as nerve pain or neurogenic pain.
Nerve pain can manifest in various forms, including tingling, numbness, burning sensations, sharp shooting pains, or a sense of heaviness in the legs. The sensation of nerve pain depends on which part of the nerve is being affected or compressed, with different nerve fibres responsible for different sensations. It's important to note that the type and intensity of nerve pain can vary from person to person or even between the left and right sides of the body.
While several nerves exit the lumbar spine to supply different areas of the legs, the sciatic nerve stands out as the thickest and longest nerve, making it the most susceptible to compression or irritation. Pain stemming from irritation of the sciatic nerve is commonly referred to as sciatica.
Watch his video to learn more about Sciatica:
Sciatica can be felt anywhere from the lower back to the buttocks, the back of the thighs (hamstrings), or even the calves, extending all the way down to the toes. This is because the sciatic nerve originates in the lower back and runs along the back of the thigh and leg, reaching down to the toes. Interestingly, sciatica pain can be experienced on one side of the body, affect both legs simultaneously, or alternate between the two legs intermittently (alternating sciatica)
HERE is a checklist on Quick Office Stretches for Nerve Pain Relief. It helps you to identify which nerve is causing your pain and then gives you specific exercises for that nerve and the muscles that need to be addressed. These are easy exercises that can be done while you are sitting at your desk.
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