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The Rundown on Sciatica

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition that is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying problem.


The main derivation of the legs, buttocks, and lower back is caused by the sciatic nerve, which is the largest single nerve in the body.

Causes and symptoms

The main cause of sciatica is lumbar disc herniation, which is when the disc that supports the lumbar vertebrae in the lower spine ruptures. This can cause disc pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Other causes may include:

Degeneration of the spine and disc due to age is normal but can be severe in some individuals. It can be caused by genetics, lifelong medication, lack of exercise, or it may have no cause at all. The degenerated disc and bones can pinch the nerve and cause sciatic nerve pain.


Symptoms of sciatica are associated with pain and include:

Radiating pain that affects the leg and foot.

Lack of sensitivity and difficulty moving the lower limbs.

Sharp pain when standing or trying to walk that gets worse when sitting.

Neurological symptoms such as progressive loss of sensation in the leg and lack of bowel and bladder control, are symptoms of a more serious underlying condition.

Treatment options

In most cases, sciatic nerve pain is not severe enough to must a hospital visit and will go away after a few weeks. But, the pain can be all-consuming for some patients and they will seek relief. Treatment for sciatica is non-surgical and is aimed at reducing and eliminating the pain it causes.


Therapy

Steroid injections can be given into the affected lumbar region to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. The effects may be short-lived, but it helps the patient to focus on their daily life as well as take part in other therapy options such as exercise.

Massage can help increase circulation, release pain-busting endorphins, and relax muscles that can contribute to pinched nerves. It would be wise to use the services of a registered medical practitioner.

Some special exercises can help with the alignment of the lumbar spine and pain relief. Stretching and aerobic exercise are recommended to the patient with a regimen that may last for weeks or months.

Surgery

When the sciatic nerve involvement becomes so severe that the patient loses sensation in the lower limbs or cannot move at all, surgery may be necessary to immediately relieve the sciatic nerve and prevent permanent nerve damage.

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