What Is Sciatic Back Pain?
Sciatica is a fairly common form of lower back and leg pain. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, running from your spinal cord to your buttocks and hip area and down the back of each leg. Sciatica is a set of symptoms, including the pain that may be the cause of compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttocks and parts of the leg and foot, and may be accompanied by numbness, muscular weakness, difficulty moving or controlling the leg, and usually only on one side of your body. Sciatica is not a diagnosis for what is causing the irritation to the nerve, it is the complete set of symptoms. The treatment for sciatica or the sciatic symptoms will fluctuate from person to person depending on the underlying cause of their own personal symptoms.
One cause of sciatica is a spinal disc herniation, which results in pressure being placed on the sciatic nerve roots. Another cause of sciatic back pain is from the compression of the lumbar nerves or by compression of the sciatic nerve itself. Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord, which causes a pinching of the nerves from the spinal cord that travel to the sciatic nerve and irritates them with friction. Sciatic back pain may also be experienced in late pregnancies, usually the result from the uterus pressing on the sciatic nerve, or from muscular tension as a result of carrying the extra weight of the fetus.
Because there are many conditions which can cause sciatic back pain, treatment varies from patient to patient. Doctors can perform tests in a series of physical exams. These will include being asked to walk on your toes, bend forward and backward, squatting down low, rotating your spine, sitting down, lying on your back, raising one of your legs at a time. You will be asked where your pain level is with each movement, and the result will be recorded on your chart.
The most effective treatments of sciatic back pain are usually one or more of the following: v Chiropractic v Physical therapy v Stretching exercises v Acupuncture v Anti inflammatory medications such as steroids or NSAIDs v Yoga
It is not always possible to prevent sciatica, but there are many things you can do on your own to help protect your back. The most important thing you can do to help prevent injury to your back is to exercise regularly. Paying special attention to your core muscles, those of your stomach and lower back which are essential to proper posture and alignment. Cardiovascular exercise are also key to your over all health. Maintaining proper posture when you sit and using good body mechanics, will help prevent future back problems. |