Sciatica

Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve and can cause pain ranging from mild to severe.  Sciatica is usually caused by a compressed nerve in the lower spine and may be caused by an underlying injury to your sciatic nerve or an area that affects the nerve, such as your vertebrae, which are the bones in your neck and back. 

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body, running from the lower back, through the buttocks, down both legs and ending just below the knee.

Symptoms of sciatica

• Pain that gets worse with movement or anywhere along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of either leg.
• Tingling sensation (pins and needles) in the feet and toes
• Numbness in the leg along the nerve
• Incontinence, which is the inability to control your bladder or bowels.

Risk factors for developing sciatica

• Careers that place a lot of strain on your back, especially those involving heavy lifting, twisting movements or sitting for extended periods.
• As your body ages, it becomes more likely that parts will wear out or break down.
• Smoking can cause the outer layer of your spinal disks to break down.
• Having diabetes can increase your risk of nerve damage.

Sciatica treatments (acute)

• Over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen.
• Hot or cold compression packs help reduce pain, it may be helpful to alternate between the two.
• Exercises such as walking or light stretching.

Sciatica treatments (chronic)

• Physical therapy
• CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), this helps manage chronic pain by training people to react different to their pain
• Surgery if symptoms have not responded to other treatments and pain continues to intensify.

In most cases, sciatica will go away on its own and surgery is not needed.  In some cases, sciatica can be prevented by ensuring proper posture is used when standing lifting and sitting upright.  Other alternative treatments include acupuncture, chiropractors and message therapists.