Sciatica Nerve Pain: Symptom and Causes

 Sciatica is a condition caused by irritation, inflammation, compression, or pinching of one or more nerves that travel down your lower back and into your legs. Most sciatica sufferers recover on their own with time and self-care techniques, and the ailment is typically not severe or serious. Surgery, though, might be necessary in extreme circumstances. The legs, buttocks, and lower back may all be impacted by sciatica symptoms. Often, the culprit is pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. 

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a type of nerve pain caused by irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve. It may also cause tingling or numbness in your buttocks or back, which may extend down your leg in addition to discomfort. It's also possible for symptoms to get worse. The longest and thickest nerve in your body is the sciatic nerve. It is not a single nerve, despite its name. In actuality, it is a collection of nerves originating from five nerve roots that split off from your spinal cord.

There are two sciatic nerves in your body, one on each side. On one side, each sciatic nerve passes through your buttocks and hips. Each one descends the leg on the corresponding side of your body, ending just below your knee. Once there, they divide into more nerves that branch out to reach deeper regions, such as your foot, toes, and lower leg. If you have sciatica, you can feel pain anywhere that the sciatic nerve is connected, ranging from minor to severe. Your legs, hips, buttocks, and lower back may be affected by the symptoms. Certain symptoms may reach your feet and toes, depending on which nerve or nerves are impacted. 

Types of Sciatica

Two types of sciatica exist. Whichever type you have, the outcomes are the same. The categories are: 

• True sciatica. Any ailment or damage that directly affects your sciatic nerve falls under this category.

• Sciatica-like conditions. These are disorders that resemble sciatica but have different causes that are connected to the sciatic nerve or the nerves that bundle into it.

Medical professionals frequently refer to both forms as simply "sciatica." Usually, the distinctions between them only become significant when your healthcare provider decides how to treat them. 

Symptoms of Sciatica?

Sciatica symptoms can include:

• Pain: The pressure on the affected nerve or nerves causes sciatica pain. The majority of patients describe sciatica pain as electric shock-like or burning. On the affected limb, this pain frequently radiates or shoots down the leg. Coughing, sneezing, bending, and raising your legs while lying on your back are classic triggers for pain.

• Tingling or “pins and needles” (paresthesia): This sensation is similar to what you get when you sit cross-legged and one leg falls asleep.

• Numbness: This is the state in which the afflicted parts of your leg or back are devoid of cutaneous feelings. It occurs when signals from your legs or back aren't getting to your brain.

• Muscle Weakness. This symptom is more serious. It indicates that your back or legs are not receiving the muscle command messages that they should be receiving.

• Urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence: This symptom is really serious. It indicates that the impulses governing your colon and bladder aren't getting where they should.

Causes of Sciatica?

Any ailment that affects the sciatic nerve might induce sciatica. Conditions affecting any of the five spinal nerves that bundle to form the sciatic nerve may also cause it to occur.

Conditions that can cause sciatica include:

• Herniated disks.

• Degenerative disk disease.

• Spinal stenosis.

• Foraminal stenosis.

• Spondylolisthesis.

• Osteoarthritis.

• Injuries.

• Pregnancy.

• Tumors, cysts, or other growths.

• Conus medullas syndrome.

• Cauda equina syndrome.

Risk Factors for Sciatica?

Due to the wide range of causes of sciatica, there are numerous possible risk factors, including but not limited to:

• Possessing an injury, past or present: Your risk of sciatica increases if you have a lower back or spine injury.

• Regular deterioration: Growing older can cause pinched nerves, herniated disks, and other disorders that can result in sciatica due to regular wear and strain on the spine. Osteoarthritis and other age-related ailments may also be relevant.

• Having excess weight or obesity. When you stand straight up, your spine resembles a building crane. Your vertebrae must lift the weight that is carried by the front of the body. Your back's muscles act like a winch and cable, lifting you upright. Your back muscles have to work harder the heavier you are. This may result in pain, back strains, and other problems. 

• Having insufficient core strength: The muscles in your back and abdomen (stomach area) are referred to as your "core." Similar to the crane example, strengthening the core of a system is equivalent to upgrading its parts to support a greater weight. Because they serve as an anchor for your back muscles, the muscles in your abdomen are crucial. 

• Your job: Your chance of developing low back pain may rise if your job involves a lot of bending, heavy lifting, or working in strange or uncomfortable positions. Yet, extended sitting at work, particularly without the right back support, might also raise your chance of developing low back issues. 

• Not using good posture and form when lifting: Sciatica can still affect physically healthy and active people if they perform weightlifting, strength training, or other comparable exercises without using good form. 

• Having diabetes:  Peripheral neuropathy associated with diabetes is more likely in people with type 2 diabetes. That harms all of your nerves, including those that may be involved in or cause sciatica. 

• Physical inactivity: Low levels of physical exercise and extended durations of sitting can both raise the risk of sciatica.

• Using tobacco: Using nicotine can impact blood flow and raise your chance of developing chronic discomfort. That covers ailments such as sciatica.

• Unknown causes: Healthcare professionals are unable to identify the etiology of sciatica in many situations.

Conclusion

A bulging or herniated disk is the most prevalent cause of sciatica. Spondylolisthesis, back injuries, and spinal stenosis are further causes. Within four to six weeks, most sciatica cases get better. A doctor may suggest several treatments to promote healing and control pain, even if treatment is not required. These consist of prescription drugs for pain management, physical therapy, and hot and cold therapy. If the underlying reason is not addressed, surgery can be required. Speak with our Physio(Ishas Physiotherapy and Spine Care Clinic) if you're worried about sciatica. Our skilled physician can conduct an evaluation to assist in confirming the diagnosis and offering guidance on an appropriate course of action.