Help With Severe Lower Back & Leg Pain

Radiating back pain that begins in the lower back and radiates through the buttocks, hip and lower leg is often referred to as sciatica. When left untreated, sciatica may cause enough pain to interfere with or stop everyday activities. Diagnosing the reason and finding a way to help alleviate severe lower back and leg pain is essential to regaining normal activities.

Sciatica Symptoms

• The sciatic nerve runs down both sides of your buttocks from the lower spine. This nerve may be irritated for numerous reasons. When a severe irritation occurs, radiating pain will occur beginning in the back and following through the posterior (or backside) of the thigh, to the lower leg and on to the foot. With a mild irritation or a prolonged history of sciatica, the pain may be localized to one or several of the areas indicated. With true sciatica, pain will occur below the knee.

  There are times when an individual will experience lower back pain for a few days or even weeks before the symptoms of a sciatic nerve irritation are present. Once the leg pain begins, it is not uncommon for the leg pain to get severe enough that it overpowers the pain in the lower back. Sometimes, the pain in the lower back will dissipate and the only pain felt will be in the hip and leg area.

  With individuals who have a long history of sciatica, when it flairs, the pain may be localized to the buttocks and the back of the leg. Very little if any lower back pain will occur. With longevity, individuals who suffer from sciatica will not feel the pain below the knee or in the foot area. This pain would have been felt early on in the disease.

  The onset of sciatica does not have a specific trigger. Activities like standing, sitting, sneezing, coughing, lifting a heavy object, lifting a fairly light object, turning wrong, standing up from a bending or lying position too quickly, or even having a bowel movement may irritate the sciatic nerve. No matter what triggers sciatica, it is a painful disease.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosing and treatment of severe lower back pain and leg pain should begin with an examination by a physician. The exam will consist of a doctor trying to recreate the pain sensation by have the patient move his body into certain positions and do certain motions. The physician will move the patient's legs slightly to cause the sciatic nerve to stretch. If the patient shows signs of pain during these tests, the physician has a pretty good idea that the sciatic nerve is causing the problem.

Treatment

• When treating severe lower back and leg pain, most individuals will recover without medical intervention. If medical treatment is needed, rest, limitation of activities, anti-inflammatory medication, stretches, physical therapy and surgery (in severe cases) will be prescribed. Chiropractic services are another way of helping to eliminate the pain in both the back and leg area.

  Stretches recommended for individuals with sciatica or lower back and leg pain include:

  Walking: Start out slowly until pain subsides. Proceed to normal walking speed for 10 to 30 minutes.

  Ankle pumps: Lie on back or sit and lift ankles up and down. Repeat five to 20 times.

  Heel slides: Lie on back and draw heel of foot on floor until complete knee bend is made, push back to starting position. Repeat five to 20 times.

  Abdominal contraction: Lie on back, contract stomach muscles pulling down toward back, release. Repeat five to 20 times.

  Wall squats: Stand against wall. Walk forward one step while sliding back down wall to squatting position. Hold stomach tight. Slide back up the wall and step back. Repeat five to 20 times.

  Heel raises: Stand facing the wall. Place hands on wall for balance. Raise heels up and down. Repeat five to 20 times.

  Straight leg raises: Lie on back. Bend one leg. Raise other leg off ground approximately 6 inches. This is an alternative leg lift. Place hand under small of back to help with pain. Repeat with other leg. Do five to 20 repetitions.

  Single knee to chest stretch: Lie on your back. Alternating legs, pull one knee to the chest, release. Pull the other knee to the chest, release. Do five to 20 repetitions.

  Hamstring stretch: Lie on back. Alternating legs, begin lifting leg toward chest like knee to chest stretch. Hold on to the back of the leg. Slowly straighten the leg so the toe is pointing to the sky. Once a stretching sensation is felt in the back of the leg, stop straightening. Repeat with other leg. Do five to 20 repetitions.

  Lumbar stabilization exercises with exercise ball: Lie on back and place legs on exercise ball. The position will look like you are sitting on the ball from a prone position. Knees will be bent. Slowly lift buttocks up while contracting the muscles in both the buttocks and stomach areas. Release. Repeat five to 20 times.

  Stomach stretch on exercise ball: Lie face down on the exercise ball. Raise head and legs so only the stomach is on the exercise ball. Relax. Repeat five to 20 times.

  Hip flexing stretch: Executed like wall squats but with the exercise ball behind your back. Begin at a 90-degree angle, roll the ball down the wall and get your body into a 45-degree position at the knees. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Stand up slowly while rolling the ball back up the wall. Repeat five to 20 times.