Sciatica, which is the condition caused by sciatic nerve damage, is characterized mainly by a sharp, shooting pain from the hip or buttocks area down to the toes. This pain is usually worsened by moving the leg, bending over at the waist or sitting down. The pain is similar to a pinched nerve.
If the sciatica is caused by pressure on the nerve, such as from a slipped disc, numbness in the leg may occur. While this numbness isn’t necessarily a problem, it can cause other problems. These include imbalance, which can lead to falls. Numbness in the leg can also cause that leg to be weaker than the other leg, which makes lifting even light objects difficult.
A dull lower backache is a less common symptom of sciatic nerve damage. This pain is either a result of the sciatic nerve being compressed or by other conditions, such as a herniated disc, that is often found in conjunction with sciatica. This backache may come and go; however, it is more common at night after a full day of activity. This is usually because the sciatic nerve is swollen. Many doctors prescribe an NSAID or recommend taking ibuprofen or aspirin to reduce the swelling.
Because the sciatic nerve affects the foot and toes, foot drop and toe drop are common symptoms. Toe drop occurs when the big toe on the affected side becomes so weak that it is difficult to extend or contract it. Foot drop occurs when the ankle is weak and the foot ‘flops’ sometimes. This symptom is serious, as falls can occur as a result.
All of the symptoms of sciatica are unilateral, meaning they only occur on one side of the body. However, in some instances, such as pregnancy, symptoms can occur on both sides. In that case, one side usually experiences more pronounced symptoms than the other side.
Sciatic pain occurs when your sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in your body, is damaged or compressed by other structures in your body. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that sciatica is a symptom and is not a medical condition alone. There are many possible causes of sciatic pain. Herbal remedies for sciatica pain may help relieve your discomfort, but you should talk to your doctor first about the best herbs to use.
Sciatica pain, which ranges from mild to severe, is pain that radiates, or travels from your lower back down the back of your leg. In some cases, sciatic pain may reach the back of your calf and beyond. Possible causes of sciatica include herniated or bulging disks, narrowing of your spinal canal, or vertebral fractures. Sciatic pain is often worse after sitting or standing for prolonged periods.
For years, herbal medicines have been used to help treat sciatica. The most commonly used remedies for sciatica includes St. John’s wort, juniper, burdock, yucca, devil’s claw, dong quai, alfalfa, burdock, chaparral and black cohosh. Other helpful herbs for this condition may include slippery elm bark, oat straw, and white willow bark, an herbal remedy that contains salicylic acid, an effective pain reliever.
Juniper is an herb that is often used to treat sciatica. Juniper possesses strong anti-inflammatory action, which may help explain its ability to treat musculoskeletal conditions such as sciatica. The fruit, or berries, or the juniper plant are used in herbal medicines and supplements.
Although sciatic pain itself is not life-threatening, this symptom can lead to several health complications, including reduced sensation in your leg, partial or total loss of leg movement and leg injuries due to lack of sensation. You may also experience side effects caused by prescription drugs for this condition and sciatic pain may be a sign of a serious underlying problem. If you develop the symptoms of sciatic pain visit your local health care professional to be evaluated and treated.
Piriformis syndrome is characterized by lower back pain, pelvic pain, pain in the buttocks or hips, and/or sciatica. The main player is a muscle called the piriformis, which is seated in the buttocks region and attaches from the tailbone to the bone thighbone. Like any muscle, it can get short and tight, but its distinction is that it sits on top of the sciatica nerve. Being the longest and thickest nerve in the body, the sciatica nerve is easily pinched by a short, tight piriformis muscle. I have provided some more information about piriformis syndrome below!
Any nerve pain is intense, but what you get with sciatica is a burning, electrical pain down your leg. It’s usually enough pain to cause your leg to be limp. Sciatica caused by piriformis syndrome may irritate just about everything; walking, sitting, lying down. Unfortunately, painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs don’t relieve the pain caused by piriformis syndrome. Not all cases of piriformis syndrome cause sciatica, some cause buttock and hip pain only, while others include low back pain.
Another distinguishing characteristic of the syndrome is that it is almost always worse with sitting. This is because when we sit we do so right on top of the piriformis muscle.
As mentioned above, a short, tight piriformis muscle may cause piriformis syndrome. So why does the piriformis muscle get short and tight? Lets find out! Short, tight muscles can come about from a few different situations, lack of stretching, weak synergistic or antagonistic muscles, chronic subluxation, and foot dysfunction. Every one of these scenarios is reversible; there, piriformis syndrome may be a correctable disorder.
Below is a list of causes of piriformis syndrome:
Inflexibility: We need to stretch to maintain a functional muscle length. Short, tight muscles can cause a number of problems including joint dysfunction, circulation problems, poor posture, and as in the case of piriformis syndrome, nerve entrapment.
Weak Muscles: With this syndrome, the weak muscles are typically the gluteal muscles. The gluteus maximus is the main muscles of walking, and it extends the hip. It can become lazy and some individuals, when it does other muscles have to compensate for its weakness. The piriformis is a compensatory muscle.
Chronic Subluxation: This is a constant join pain with neurological implications. Subluxations hamper free movement and can cause nerve pain and/or dysfunction.
Foot Dysfunction: This is one of the most common causes of piriformis syndrome. It can be caused by an excessive rolling-in of the feet as a result of dropped arches. In this case, the piriformis works overtime to counter the inward movement of the leg.
If you are suffering from piriformis syndrome or experiencing symptoms of the syndrome, you should contact your doctor immediately. Piriformis syndrome can be a real pain in the butt! Remember piriformis syndrome is treatable, so get treatment before it gets worse!
Symptoms of sciatica can be painful and uncomfortable. However, they can be confused up with symptoms for another type of back pain. More often than not the actually discomfort of sciatica pain begins within the back leg. Symptoms of sciatica vary depending on the sufferer. Below are some common symptoms of sciatica.
The lower leg or the shifting of feet may cause a feeling associated with a weak point and numbness.
If lower-leg discomfort is actually worse compared to back pain discomfort.
Agonizing or razor-sharp discomfort in the back and leg is experienced.
Discomfort is mainly in a single area rather than all over the body.
The pain is a long-lasting discomfort within the lower-leg, back, and buttocks.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms of sciatica you should see a doctor as soon as possible. They physician will first rule out acute medical causes such as tumors, internal bleeding, infection, or other chronic diseases such as diabetes. After these have been ruled out, the physical will continue the examination to determine the exact cause of sciatica.
The doctor may choose to do one of the following examinations:
Physical examination
Reflexes: wear or absent ankle-jerk reflex
Foot may be bend inward or downward with extreme difficulty
Reproduction of sciatica pain when the leg is lifted straight off the exam table.
Weakness of knee bending
EMG (recording of electrical activity in muscles): needles are strategically placed along the nerve passage, and the electrical conduction is recorded
Radiological exams: X-rays, MRI’s CAT scans, etc. may all be included as part of the examination process.
Above are some of the common symptoms of sciatica and what may occur during an examination for diagnosing sciatica pain. When diagnosed, the discomfort of the symptoms of sciatica can be treated.
Before choosing your treatment for sciatica you must know the real cause of the sciatic nerve pain. The sciatic nerve is connected to the brain and travels all through the entire length of the spine, down the hips and divided in the buttocks area, and down through each leg. Treatment for sciatica is dependent on where the pain. If you are suffering from sciatica, below are some suggestions for treatment for sciatica!
Sciatica is caused by four main conditions such as vertebral misplacement, disc degeneration, sacroiliac joint dysfunction or piriformis syndrome. Due to the fact that many different things trigger sciatica, it is best to be aware of the problem of the causes so you can avoid them in the future!
Sciatica Exercises: Exercises are used to help ease the pain from sciatica and strengthen the muscles in the lower back. This treatment for sciatica lessens pain when the sciatic never gets irritated. Exercises also help prevent pain from occurring in the future.
The best exercise for treatment for sciatica should strengthen and stretch the muscles in the hip area, buttocks and legs. It should also loosen the muscles in the affected area so that it will not put pressure on the nerve to release pain. Most exercises designed for sciatica are short and to the point so they will not take much of your time, but they are still very effective.
Sciatica Stretches: Sciatica stretches are another type of treatment for sciatica. They are more focused on stretching the muscles along the buttocks to loosen the pressure on the sciatic nerve caused by muscles. Sciatica stretches can also reduce the bulging of the spinal disc in the lumbar region or relieve the soft tissues adhering to the sciatic nerve.
The muscles that give you the most painful symptoms need to be stretches to release the pain. Depending on the muscles found in the low buttocks, each person might have different orientations related to the sciatic nerve. One great stretch is to bend the leg, pull the knees toward the chest and then across to the opposite shoulder.
Sciatic Medications: When sciatica develops, it is best not to take any pain relievers. Unfortunately, the pain relievers would not eliminate sciatic nerve pain. It is best to use anti-inflammatory medications instead. If you do not have any anti-inflammatory medicine available at home, you can use a hot or cold compress for sciatica relief. Apply the cold compress where you feel the pain, once the pain begins to diminish, apply a hot compress.
Sciatica Surgery: The last form of treatment for sciatica is surgery. Even though this may not always be the best option, sometimes it is the only choice left for some sufferers. The pain a person feels in the legs and lower back may become epidemic. Patients find it hard to get healed no matter how many treatments are available to sciatica. Surgeries are costly and there are some instances where surgery does not relieve the condition and may even worsen the pain.
Above are four different types of treatment for sciatica. Before finding the right treatment for sciatica it is best to diagnose exactly where the pain is in order to have the best results. Remember, treatment for sciatica depends on the location of the pain and the person!
There are numerous causes of sciatica. Sciatica is caused by the compression of the nerve roots located in the lower back or in the lumbar area. The nerve roots that are affected or compressed may be only one set, but in some cases there are more than five sets that suffer this disorder, which can cause spinal nerve compression. There are six most common causes of sciatica. Below are the specific causes of sciatica.
Lumbar Herniated Disc: A herniated disc happens when the nucleus in our body breaks through our annulus. This occurrence is called non-contained disc disorder. The disc material can press against the adjacent nerve root or against a delicate nerve tissue other than the nerve root. This will eventually cause sciatica.
Spondylolisthesis: This usually affects the lumbar spine. This disorder is normally characterized by a vertebra that slips forward over its adjacent vertebra. When this happens and the vertebra is displaced, spinal nerve root compression will occur. Once nerve compression takes place, this will cause sciatic leg pain.
Piriformis Syndrome: This is also another sciatica cause, which refers to the pain when muscle irritates the sciatic nerve. This kind of syndrome happens when the muscle spasms generally develop within the muscle of the piriformis. These developed muscle spasms will then compress the sciatic nerve.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: This spinal stenosis is generally a disorder of nerve compression. This disorder often happens to mature by people. One of the common results of this spinal issue is a leg pain, which is very similar to sciatica. This is usually caused by some activities like walking or by standing for long period of time.
Above are common causes of sciatica. Usually with causes of sciatica the nerve roots are affected or compressed. Many different things can cause sciatica and the severity of sciatica may differ depending on the cause.
Sciatica sufferers are always looking for the best pain relief. When the sciatic nerve is inflamed, that is when you will feel the pain and discomfort. The symptoms of the condition include: burning and tingling sensations, shooting pain, weakness, and numbness. The best sciatica pain relief is just waiting for you! But you will have to consult your doctor about it!
The shooting pain is very alarming and there are times when you can’t move around with ease. Millions of people are suffering from sciatica and because of this, there is an increase in the demand for sciatica pain relief. There are health conditions that require surgery, but once these things are ruled out, you can choose among different treatment options.
Doctors usually recommend the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines. The most popular of these treatments are NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin. Tylenol is an analgesic and it is very popular in treating the pain. Muscle relaxants and codeine preparations are also recommended for acute sciatica. Higher doses of corticosteroids are injected directly on the spinal area.
You can also do simple exercises for sciatica, but this is only possible if the pain has disappeared. You will need to rest for several days until the pain goes away. Don’t stay too long in bed because this will only make the condition worse. Instead, it is best to start with exercises that can enhance your flexibility. If you don’t use your muscles, they will grow weak. There is a significant need to protect and support the spine joints. With regular exercise, you may be able to promote healing. Circulation is also improved when you perform the right exercises.
The right treatment for sciatica depends on the root cause of the problem. When you have sciatica, the muscles in the spinal area are very tight. Through simple stretches, you can loosen the muscles and give the sciatic nerve more room. You also need to stretch the muscles in the hamstrings, buttocks and lower back.
Surgery is the last option for those suffering from sciatica. If the treatments or exercises recommended above do not work, you should consult your doctor. Surgery is invasive and costly. It is best to give yourself a chance to try the natural treatments and medications for sciatica first, before turning to surgery.
Sciatica symptomsresult from sciatica, sciatica is a symptom in itself which often occurs when the sciatic nerve, is impinged, irritated or inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. The position where the sciatic nerve is affected will determine where the sciatica symptoms are felt but it could be anywhere from the lower back to the lower legs, usually only on one side of the body. While there could be a range of sciatica symptoms you might experience, there are some symptoms that are the most common.
With sciatica, you may experience one or more of the following sciatica symptoms:
Feeling of cramping in the thighs
Extreme pain in the legs that stems from the buttocks
Needle like sensations in the thighs and legs
Burning sensation in the thighs
Difficulty in walking
Pain on one side of the body (this pain could be dull, sharp or even shooting)
Extreme weakness that can cause difficulty in moving
The above sciatica symptoms may be felt at different levels of discomfort and are often intensified by something specific movements or activities. If you experience pain and discomfort and believe you are feeling sciatica symptoms it is important that you see a professional to determine what is causing the sciatica. Determining the root cause of the sciatica symptoms is the first step in healing your sciatic pain.
Sciatica symptoms result from sciatica, a condition in which the sciatic nerve, is impinged, irritated or inflamed, causing pain and discomfort. The position where the sciatic nerve is affected will determine where the sciatica symptoms are felt but it could be anywhere from the lower back to the lower leg, usually only on one side of the body. While there could be a range of sciatica symptoms you might experience, there are some symptoms that are the most common. With sciatica, you may experience one or more of these sciatica symptoms:
Pain in the lower back that may radiate down one side into the leg or foot.
Pain that is felt in one side of the buttocks.
Numbness or weakness in the foot or toes.
Pain when moving the foot or leg.
Leg or buttocks pain that is exacerbated by sitting.
Pins and needles in the feet or toes.
Tingling or a burning sensation traveling down the leg or in the foot or toes.
A shooting pain that starts at the lower back or hip and travels down the back of the thigh into the lower leg.
I found the video below on you tube and I think it has a good explanation of sciatica symptoms as well as sciatica itself. Sometimes a visual aid can be helpful when trying to understand this condition and how it affects the spine and lower back.
For descriptions on each of the causes of pain in back listed above please read further…
Strains, Sprains and Spasms
One cause of pain in back is injury to a muscle or a ligament . These injuries are commonly referred to as strains and sprains and can occur for many reasons, including improper lifting, excess body weight and poor posture. Strains and sprains as a cause for pain in back – can develop from hauling around a heavy backpack or sleeping at an awkward angle. As a pivot point for turning at the waist, the lower back is especially vulnerable to muscle strains. Sometimes a strain or sprain causes immediate back pain. In other cases, soreness and stiffness come later.
Osteoarthritis
Sometimes causes of pain in back are related to osteoarthritis of the spine. As people age, the discs that act as cushions between the vertebrae become flatter and less flexible. Without the cushioning that these discs normally provide, the joints between vertebrae press tightly against each other. This can cause back pain and stiffness.
Fibromyalgia
This chronic condition is characterized by fatigue and widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons — and is one of many causes of pain in back. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia usually includes a history of at least three months of widespread muscle pain accompanied by pain and tenderness in at least 11 of the 18 “tender points” of the body.
Herniated Discs
Normal wear and tear over time can cause one of the discs in your spine to rupture or herniate. Exceptional strain or traumatic injury can have the same effect. Many people describe this as a “slipped” disc. Back pain results when the herniated disc pinches one of the nerves that come out of the spinal cord. Herniated discs are found in one-third of adults older than 20 years of age!
Bulging or Ruptured Discs
Discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. Sometimes, the soft material inside a disc may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve.
If a bulging or herniated disc presses on the main nerve that travels down your leg, it can cause sciatica — a sharp, shooting pain through the buttock and back of the leg which usually originates on one side of the body.
Arthritis or Spinal Stenosis
The joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the hips, hands, knees and lower back. In some cases arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
Skeletal Irregularities
Back pain can occur if your spine curves in an abnormal way. If the natural curves in your spine become exaggerated, your upper back may look abnormally rounded or your lower back may arch excessively. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain.
Osteoporosis
As you age, the amount of calcium in your bones decreases. This lowers the density or mass of your bones, making them porous and brittle a condition known as osteoporosis. If you have osteoporosis, daily lifting and other routine activities can cause low back pain by fracturing the front part of the weakened bones. These are known as compression fractures.
Infections of the spine
Infections of the spine are not one of the most common causes of pain in back, but they can cause back pain and can be dangerous. They are sometimes a cause of back pain in people with diabetes, drug addictions, alcoholic addictions, or patients on steroid drugs. Infections in the back (spinal infections), can also occur after a back surgery. Infections are more common in smokers and patients who have a nutritionally poor diet, diabetes or are obese.
Sciatica, which is the condition caused by sciatic nerve damage, is characterized mainly by a sharp, shooting pain from the hip or buttocks area down to the toes. This pain is usually worsened by moving the leg, bending over at the waist or sitting down. The pain is similar to a pinched nerve.
