Diabetes is a devastating diagnosis, especially when it comes on suddenly in later life. Complications are bound to happen if you’ve had it all along or hit it later. One of these complications is neuropathy, which can mimic other conditions such as sciatica. Determining the underlying cause of neuralgia is key to successful treatment. First, let’s understand what sciatica is. 

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition that affects the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. This nerve originates in the lower back and extends through the buttocks and both legs. Inflammation of this nerve can cause pain and weakness on one side of the body.

Common causes of sciatica are:

• Bone spur
• Spinal stenosis
• Intervertebral disc prolapse
• Pregnancy

Sciatica can become chronic or flare up with specific movements or activities. It may cause severe pain that interferes with daily life.

The Relation Between Diabetes And Sciatica

Diabetes occurs when the body cannot regulate the required sugar levels in the bloodstream. When this happens over time, it damages nerve fibers throughout the body. And in this condition, small nerves are targeted first.

Both neuropathy (a condition caused by diabetes) and sciatica are problems that cause numbness, pain, weakness, and tingling. And these two conditions also cause neuralgia in the lower body. However, both diabetic neuropathy and sciatica cause similar symptoms, but sciatica is caused by injury or inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

Diabetic neuropathy takes time to develop, but sciatica pain can be progressive and sudden. If you really want to identify the underlying condition of your back pain, you should consult a medical professional. And after a physical examination, a medical professional will tell you the real reason for your problem.

Control Symptoms

Determining the cause of neuralgia is crucial in determining the best treatment. How our practice treats your condition depends mainly on your condition and underlying health conditions such as diabetes.

If we determine that your condition originates from the sciatic nerve, we may suggest one of several treatment options, including:

• Remaining
• Anti-inflammatory drug
• Ice
• Heat
• Physical therapy

Doctors may suggest surgical intervention if pain persists after months of conservative treatment. This type of surgery removes part of the disc that is causing the nerve compression. Expert PT may also conclude that your symptoms are due to high blood sugar. In this case, controlling blood sugar is one of the best things you can do to stop the progression of neuropathy. There is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, but it can be managed with healthy blood sugar levels and medications.

4 Proven Workout To Fight Against Diabetic Neuropathy

To minimize the risks and amplify the potential rewards of exercise with neuropathy, prioritize these expert-approved workouts.

• Low Impact Exercise

Aerobic exercise can also improve vascular health in patients coping with diabetes-related neuropathy. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), aerobic exercise can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It is also helpful, further improving blood flow to the limbs and helping to improve nerve health.

Avoid gentle, low-impact activities such as swimming or biking to prevent cuts, scrapes, and blisters and improve circulation. Use an indoor bike if you’re the least balanced on your bike.

Note: Whichever workout you choose, ensure you get at least 30 minutes of cardio five times a week. 

• Weight Training

Muscle, insulin, and blood vessel health go hand in hand, with muscles acting as a sort of sugar-burning furnace, helping blood vessels pump blood to and from the heart.

Weight exercises that keep you standing can help you get the most out of each rep, but if you’re not confident in your legs, training with a barbell on your back isn’t a good idea! The number of effective strength training exercises you can do while seated is staggering.

Note: Check out the gym’s seated leg strengthening equipment, including leg extensions, hamstring curls, and glute kickback machines.

• Balance And Stability

A previous study of older adults found that those with diabetes-related neuropathy were 23 times more likely to fall than those without. It is where balance and stability work comes into play. Train your muscles and the neurons that charge them to fire correctly and work together. The main muscles that keep you upright are your feet, legs, and core. Try to incorporate some form of balance or stability training into every workout.

Note: Practice walking in a straight line from heel to toe and do core exercises like planks, dead bugs, bird dogs, and cable chops.

• Mind And Body Exercises

Yoga, Tai Chi, and active meditation practices are what the nervous system really needs. Finally, research has repeatedly shown that yoga is beneficial in treating various neurological conditions, such as diabetes-related neuropathy. 

Note: Practice your chosen mind-body method to suit your needs and complement other workouts.

Wrapping Up

Although rare, poorly controlled diabetes can eventually damage the sciatic nerve. However, diabetes-related cardiovascular complications can impair blood flow to the spine, impede the healing process, and exacerbate the effects of sciatica. If you want instant sciatica pain relief in Lansdale, PA-ProAction physiotherapy is your best option. They have all the techniques you need to get sciatica pain relief faster.