Sciatica: The Cause of Shooting Lower Back Pain

Sciatica is the result of irritation to the sciatic nerve in your lower back. If you’re experiencing shooting pain, numbness and/or tingling down one side of your lower back and into your leg or foot, that may be an indication you are suffering from irritation to the sciatic nerve.

Click here to watch a quick, informative video on sciatica (source: spine-health.com).

Many different conditions in the spine can irritate the sciatic nerve. According to spine-health.com, the most common causes of sciatica include:

• Lumbar Herniated Disc
• Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
• Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
• Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)

Massage Therapy Can Ease the Pain Caused by Sciatica

In an article entitled How Massage Can Ease Sciatica Pain published on spine-health.com, author Allison Walsh writes that a seasoned massage therapist may be able to relieve leg pain caused by sciatic nerve irritation. She quotes Susan Stone Anton, LMT, an experienced massage therapist who treats numerous sciatica patients:

“The goal of massage therapy is to promote circulation and better healing, which reduces the severity of sciatica pain,” Anton said.

Actively Seek Out Massage Therapists Who Have Experience With Sciatica

Working the sciatic nerve requires a highly specialized massage therapist, writes Walsh; one who has much experience working with patients who suffer from sciatica.

“Sciatica is a painful condition, but you may be able to find relief with a good massage therapist,” writes Walsh.