Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched. The cause is usually a herniated disk in the spine or an overgrowth of bone, sometimes called bone spurs, form on the spinal bones. More rarely, a tumor can put pressure on the nerve. Or a disease such as diabetes can damage the nerve.
Sciatica pain is caused by an irritation, inflammation, pinching or compression of a nerve in the lower back. The most common cause is a herniated or slipped disk that causes pressure on the nerve root. Most people with sciatica get better on their own with time and self-care treatments.
The most common cause of sciatica is a disc herniation in the lumbar spine. The most common levels in the spine where disc herniations occur, is between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae (L4-5) or between the 5th vertebra and the sacrum (L5-S1). Herniations occur less often at higher levels in the lumbar spine.
The problem is, piriformis syndrome is often mistaken for sciatica. While both conditions interfere with sciatic nerve function, sciatica results from spinal dysfunction such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
Other conditions can mimic sciatica: Vascular disease: Narrowing of the blood vessels in the legs can cause pain and cramps and might make it hard to walk. Peripheral neuropathy: Small nerves in the legs can become damaged, causing burning, pain, tingling or numbness in the foot or lower leg.
One of the big red flags for diagnosing sciatica is that the pain is usually limited to only one side of the body. Other red flags that indicate sciatica include pain when standing or sitting, numbness in the legs and weakness or numbness when moving a leg or foot.
The different types of sciatic nerve pain include acute, chronic, alternating, and bilateral.
Go to Physical Therapy
PT usually involves most rapid relief remedies (icing, heating, massage, stretching, strength, and flexibility exercises) to provide pain relief, eliminate the underlying cause of the sciatica nerve pain, and prevent further injury and flare-ups.
Despite potentially aggravating pain, true sciatica doesn't have to result from severe trauma, he said. "Sometimes just sneezing or a good cough will bring it on. But typically it's a result of herniation from age-related changes in the spine."
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve.
L5 NERVE ROOT DAMAGE
A pinched L5 nerve root usually results in radiating pain in the foot. This pain can come in the form of numbness, tingling, weakness and shooting and is commonly felt in the big toe, inside of the foot, top of the foot and ankle.
Sciatica flare ups are caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. If you have a condition that affects your lower back, such as a herniated disc, this can put pressure on the nerve and cause pain symptoms to appear. Other lifestyle-related risk factors include age, lack of exercise, or recent surgery.
The most common cause is a herniated disk in the lower spine. Another risk factor is spinal stenosis, a condition that causes the spinal column to narrow. Doctors do not know why some cases of sciatica become chronic. Many acute and chronic cases happen because of a herniated disk.
Even though it probably hurts to some degree, walking is actually good for sciatica. Dr. Shah points out that walking promotes blood flow throughout the body, and can even make the nerves more resilient.
Anti-inflammatory drugs - You can use pain relief medication such as ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs that can be bought over the counter in your local pharmacy. These help to reduce swelling, pain and inflammation in the muscles surrounding your spine.
In short, though, walking for sciatic nerve pain is an effective form of pain relief and symptom management while it may additionally speed up natural recoveries and help prevent future flare-ups.
While sciatica pain can be debilitating, chiropractic treatment can relieve it gently and naturally. This care entails treating the pain without costly and harmful side effects.
Often, a common mistake is referring to any low back pain or radicular leg pain as sciatica. Sciatica is specific to the pain that is a direct result of sciatic nerve or sciatic nerve root pathology. The sciatic nerve is made up of the L4 through S2 nerve roots, which coalesce at the pelvis to form the sciatic nerve.
Late-stage sciatica is chronic pain that lasts longer than 6 weeks without improvement.
How to Tell if Sciatica Is Triggering the Pain in Your Back. If you have pain that runs from your lower back through your buttock, down your leg and into your ankle or foot, it could be sciatica. Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy) is a medical condition caused when your sciatic nerve gets irritated.
L5 symptoms include pain in lower back and/or pain in the outside of lower leg, down to toes, which may include numbness, weakness and tingling.
DISC DEGENRATIVE DISEASE L4-L5 SYMPTOMS
Pain that radiates to the nearest limb. Lower back pain (if the degenerated disc is in the lower back) Pain in the neck and shoulders (if the degenerated disc is in the upper back) Tingling in the legs or fingers which is caused by nerve impingement.