What is sciatica?

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the term used to describe nerve pain in the buttocks, legs and feet. It occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, is compressed or irritated. If you are suffering from pain that radiates to the back of the leg and feet, it could be sciatica.

What is the sciatic nerve?

The sciatic nerve begins in the lower part of the spine before going down through the tail, from the back of the thigh to the foot. It is an important nerve that sends signals from the spinal cord to the entire lower part of the body.

Due to its location and length, the sciatic nerve has a variety of functions. That is why sciatica can cause pain along the entire lower part of the body, and can even cause coughing, sneezing and muscle contractions.

What is the cause of sciatica?

There are a number of possible causes for a compressed or irritated sciatic nerve. Some of the most common include:

• Sliding disc. If the outer shell of a disc of the spine has a hernia, the inside of the disc protrudes more than it should. This can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve, which results in pain and discomfort.

• Spinal injury. If the spine is injured, or the muscles that support the spine, inflammation can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.

• Spinal stenosis. Sometimes the duct that holds the spinal cord may become narrower, often due to large ligaments. In some cases, this can cause compression on the sciatic nerve. Spinal stenosis often results in pain in the lower back.

• Spondylolisthesis. This is a condition in which a vertebra moves more than it should. This may be due to aging or repeated bending of the spine in an unnatural way.

• Spinal infection. This is less common, but it is a possible cause of sciatic pain.

The amount of pain, loss of sensation or tingling may vary depending on how compressed or irritated the nerve is. The location of the nerve compression can also affect where the pain radiates.

How is sciatica treated?

Each cause of sciatica requires a specific treatment plan to effectively reduce compression on the sciatic nerve and eliminate pain.

Traditional treatment for sciatica usually involves a combination of medications for pain and rest. This can sometimes be effective in reducing pain in the short term. The problem is that it only treats the symptoms of sciatica, so the pain often comes back after a while.

Physiotherapy exercises are another common treatment. Unlike analgesic medication, these exercises address the underlying problem, but it is vital that the appropriate exercises are carried out for a specific cause of sciatica. The wrong exercises can worsen the pain and increase the time needed for recovery.

If you want to learn how to resolve sciatica pain in just seven days, without expensive treatments or medications