SCIATICA
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to back pain caused by a problem with the sciatic nerve. This is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When something injures or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause pain in the lower back that spreads to the hip, buttocks, and leg. Up to 90% of people recover from sciatica without surgery.
• As a result of a disc herniation directly pressing on the nerve
• Any cause of irritation or inflammation of this nerve can reproduce the symptoms of sciatica.
• Irritation of the nerve from adjacent bone, tumors, muscle, internal bleeding, infections, injury, and other causes.
Symptoms:
The main symptom is a shooting pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve; from the lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of either leg.
Other common symptoms of sciatica include:
• Numbness in the leg along the nerve
• Tingling sensation (pins and needles) in the feet and toes
This pain can range in severity and may be aggravated by sitting for long periods.
When to see a doctor
If you have joint pain or stiffness that doesn’t go away, make an appointment with your doctor.
