If you’ve been dealing with nerve pain or numbness in your lower back and legs, a larger issue might be to blame. Sciatica is often a culprit behind these symptoms, and the first step to healing is understanding this condition. Here is a brief guide to this health issue, as well as how massages will help.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is not a diagnosable illness, but a condition that describes painful symptoms in the legs. From regular discomfort to tingling, numbness, pinched nerves, and weakness, these feelings usually originate in the lower back, traveling from the tailbone all the way down through the toes. The sciatic nerve is the body’s largest and causes pain to spread quickly, resulting in continuous discomfort.

What Causes It?

While sciatica is not a medical illness in itself, its symptoms do stem from an underlying diagnosis. The most common causes are lower back problems such as spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. Even minor issues, such as a herniated disk, can cause pain to spread from the lower back down through the legs. Muscle strains can also result in sciatica symptoms, as spasms put pressure on the nerves. 

What Are the Symptoms?

Sciatica rarely occurs in both legs, but it results in constant, severe pain in one of them, and this will only worsen when you sit down. Burning, pinching, and tingling characterize the condition. Some people experience symptoms more frequently than others, and when they occur, they can persist for hours at a time. Weakness and difficulty moving your entire leg, foot, or toes are also common, making it difficult to stand or walk. 

How Will Shiatsu Help?

Shiatsu helps tremendously by increasing blood circulation, promoting muscle relation, and releasing endorphins. Shiatsu is specifically helpful because your masseuse will apply their fingers and thumbs to specific pressure points and focus directly on the areas that are causing pain.

If you have sciatica symptoms, don’t deal with the pain any longer. As Honolulu’s go-to massage center, Aisen Chiryo Doin will help. Specializing in shiatsu, the team has years of experience and training and is dedicated to helping clients lead happier, healthier lives. Visit the website to learn more, or call (808) 596-7354 to schedule your appointment today.