Sciatica - How does it feel? Step 1 in the Osteopathic evaluation of your individual case

Describing your pain 

The person who can best describe their pain is you!

• Stabbing pain? 

• Shooting pain? 

• Dull ache? 

• Constant nagging? 

Your description also gives an indication as to how you feel about the pain.

Having a new severe pain or unaccustomed less severe pain can be quite worrying.

This is especially apparent when the reason for the pain is unknown to you.

Pain Patterns

Many problems reoccur in episodes over some months or years. Over time, the frequency of these episodes may increase and spur the sufferer to take action. It may be that each episode becomes more severe and lasts for an increasing amount of time.

Looking at the daily pattern of symptoms may give an indication that you require treatment, stretching exercises and some individual advice concerning seating posture, pillows or your bed, etc.

Some people find that their problem is worst first in the morning with painful stiffness that is eased by activities during the day, but with pain returning towards the end of the day.

Others find that they have no problem first thing in the morning, but that their problem gets worse gradually all day.

Some individuals find their symptoms fluctuate during the day according to the types of activities they undertake.

Many people suffer a low level of background ache for much of the day, which may occasionally exhibit sharper levels of pain dependent on the activity they undertake.

Few people find that their symptoms remain at a high-level for much of the day, and are even woken at night by their pain.

Pain and its affects on daily life

With long-standing muscular or joint pain and stiffness, it is very possible that your life style may become affected.

Certain jobs around the house are put off.

You may have to reduce your sporting activities for fear of injury.

Your working day may become uncomfortable and less productive.

The people around you begin to notice that your tolerance to the demands of daily life has reduced considerably.

You may then begin to realise that it may be time to do something to try and improve your condition.

Undertaking treatment and following individually prescribed advice may not only reduce your symptoms but also have wider beneficial effects on your everyday home, work and recreational time.