Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica is pain along the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the longest in your body. It runs from your lower back down each leg.
Related glossary terms: Herniated Disc, Lumbar Spine, Chiropractic Care.
The nerve starts in your back. It goes through your buttocks. Then it goes down the back of your legs.
Something presses or bothers the nerve. This causes sharp, burning. Or shooting pain. The pain can be very bad.
Sciatica is not a disease. It's a sign of another problem. This could be a herniated disc (a bulging spinal pad) or a crooked spine.
How Sciatica Works?
Most people feel sciatica in one leg. Rarely, it can affect both legs. The pain may come and go.
Sometimes the pain stays all the time. It depends on what's pressing the nerve. Other signs may happen too.
You might feel numbness or tingling. Your leg muscles might feel weak. These can make sitting or walking hard.
The sciatic nerve starts in your lower back. Nerve roots leave your spine there. They join to make the sciatic nerve.
If a root gets squeezed or swollen, pain travels along the nerve. The most common causes are bulging discs. These press on the roots.
Spinal stenosis (a narrow spine) can also squeeze nerves. Other causes are bone spurs or muscle spasms. Pregnancy can press on the nerve too.
A doctor checks for sciatica. They ask about your symptoms. They may ask you to move in certain ways.
You might lift your leg while lying down. This helps find nerve irritation. The doctor may order tests.
X-rays or MRIs (pictures of your body) can show the cause. They might show a bulging disc or bone spur. This helps plan treatment.
Why Sciatica Matters?
Sciatica can make life hard. Pain can stop you from doing daily tasks. Sitting, driving. Or sleeping may hurt.
If not treated, sciatica can cause long-term problems. You might have lasting pain. Your leg could stay weak.
Getting help early can stop this. You can go back to normal activities. You won't have pain.
Many people get better without surgery. Chiropractors (back doctors) can help. So can physical therapy.
Medicine can ease swelling and pain. These treatments take pressure off the nerve. They help you feel better.
Surgery is only for bad cases. It's used when other treatments don't work. But most people don't need it.
When Sciatica Matters Most?
Get help if sciatica hurts your daily life. See a doctor if pain gets worse. Some cases need quick care.
Sudden, bad pain after a fall or accident is serious. So is losing control of your bladder or bowels. This is an emergency.
This problem is called cauda equina syndrome. It needs a doctor right away.
See a doctor if pain lasts weeks. Also go if numbness or weakness gets worse. Pain in both legs is another sign.
Some jobs raise your risk. Sitting a lot can cause sciatica. So can lifting heavy things often.
Jobs with the same motions over and over can too. Getting help early can stop long-term problems. You'll move better and feel better.
