Nervous System Health: Understanding Sciatic Nerve Pain
Sciatic nerve pain or sciatica is not uncommon, and it is characterised by significant leg pain. The pain is often accompanied by numbness, tingling and general weakness. Typically, this medical condition is caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is a long nerve in the lower body which runs from behind the pelvis and through the buttocks and ends at the feet. Sciatica is not a diagnosis or disease in and of itself. Often, it indicates the presence of a major problem such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and lumbar herniated disc.
Common Symptoms of Sciatica
As mentioned above, the hallmark of sciatica is the presence of pain. The discomfort will be felt along the areas along which the sciatic nerve passes. In simple terms, if you have this condition, you will experience pain from your lower spine, through the buttocks and to the legs. The severity of the pain ranges from mild aching discomfort to excruciating sharp pain. You might also experience significant numbness and a tingling sensation, and your calf muscles may feel weak. The symptoms can be aggravated by prolonged sitting and some actions such as coughing.
Causes and Risk Factors
Most cases of sciatica are caused by the slippage of a disc. When the discs which are part of the spine sustain damage, they tend to press on the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain. There are other medical conditions which can cause sciatica, but the cases are less common. For example, spinal stenosis causes the nerve passages associated with the spine to become narrow, compressing the sciatic nerve. Injuries to the spine and cancerous growth can cause also exert pressure on the nerve, causing pain. In general, older people are more vulnerable to sciatica because of age-related spinal degradation. Obesity and occupational stress can also increase the risk of nerve compression and irritation.
Sciatica Treatment
If the sciatic nerve pain is not severe and debilitating, home remedies can help resolve the symptoms. For example, one can utilise over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, hot and cold packs and exercise to manage the discomfort. Medical intervention is necessary for serious sciatica. After diagnosis, the doctor will often recommend physical therapy to rehabilitate the spine and the rest of the body. Medication, steroid injections and surgical treatment might be necessary for physical restoration.
If you are currently experiencing severe sciatic nerve pain or associated sciatica symptoms such as poor bowel movement control, you should consult a licensed chiropractor for diagnosis and treatment.
Share