Lumbar Radiculopathy, more commonly known as a pinched nerve or sciatica, is when a nerve is pinched due to inflammation, injury or compression in the spinal column and causes varying symptoms in the low back or down the leg.
The most common symptoms that people feel are:
- pain in the low back or down the leg, occasionally down into the toes
- Weakness
- Numbness and/or tingling
- Impaired range of motion
When symptoms are experienced further down their leg this is called peripheralization, when the symptoms are felt closer to the core of the body this is called centralization. When symptoms begin to centralize or move out of the limbs the symptoms may feel more intense at first.
There are many causes of radiculopathy:
- Degenerative changes over time
- Repetitive motions, especially twisting
- Bone spur
- Herniated discs
The spinal column is made of up vertebrae (bones) stacked on top of one another that protect the spinal cord. Between each vertebrae there is a disc for shock absorption and cushioning. When any portion of the spinal column puts stress on a nerve you may experience radiculopathy.
Physical therapy can help to improve:
- Pain, numbness, tingling levels
- lumbar (back) mobility needed for performing every day activities
- education on proper lifting mechanics and sitting postures
- strength and stabilization of deep core muscles, glutes and the legs
