What are signs of sciatica?

Answer 1

Some sources of sciatica:

Lumbar disc - this includes disc protrusion that compresses the L4 or L5 nerve root as it exits the spine. The outer fibrous layer of the disc weakens with wear and tear and eventually allows the inner jelly-like nucleus to bulge out and irritate the nerve root. The presence of a disc protrusion can be confirmed by specialised imaging such as CT scan or MRI.

Lumbar joints - in some cases misalignment of the spine causes inflammation, irritating the nerve roots and producing sciatica. Your chiropractor will perform tests to determine if the sciatica pain is more disc or joint related.

Muscular - the sciatic nerve passes through, or in front of, the piriformis muscle, deep in the buttock. Spasm of this muscle due to pelvic imbalance can compress the sciatic nerve - a condition known as Piriformis Syndrome.

Only rarely is sciatica caused by serious pathology that requires medical referral. The majority of sciatic cases respond well to chiropractic care and specific exercises.

Answer 2

In Western society Sciatica pain is a common ailment, particularly in the 30-50 year age group. It describes a set of symptoms that include hip, buttock and leg pain radiating from the low back along the path of the Sciatic Nerve. This nerve is formed from the L4-53 spinal nerves which join up as they exit the low back. It runs through the buttock, down the back of the thigh and leg, into the foot. Many people are searching for sciatica pain relief as it seems so persistent.

Sciatica pain may feel like a bad leg cramp that lasts for weeks or months before it goes away. You may have pain, especially when you sit, sneeze or cough. Discomfort ranges from mild to incapacitating, and may be accompanied by tingling, numbness or muscle weakness.

Like the term slipped disc, sciatica pain is a term often misused to describe any pain in the leg that may originate in the lower back. True sciatica only involves pain caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve or its branches. Pain in the front of the thigh or groin, although possibly referred from the low back, is not sciatica.

Answer 3

Sciatica is usually a pinching of the siatic nerve. Symptoms usually include a sharp pain extending from the lower back down one leg. The pain can be enough to be almost paralyzing.

The best way to treat it is bed rest at first, with ice packs optional. After a day or two, heat pads and exercise (not together) are the best ways to heal sciatica.

Answer 4

The cause of this pain is the neuropathy defined by the inflammation and swelling of the large sciatic nerve that originates from the exit of an intervertebral nerve plexus between one of the large lumbar vertebral discs.

Answer 5

There are a number of causes of sciatica, and it is difficult to predict who will get it; older people seem to be more at risk than younger people, and obesity can also be a factor, as can occupations that require you to lift and carry heavy objects. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a herniated disk in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae. More rarely, the nerve can be compressed by a tumor or damaged by a disease such as Diabetes." The condition can be painful, with shooting pain from the lower back down the leg. Some cases of this condition are very severe, while others are more annoying than anything else. Mild sciatica generally goes away by itself in a couple of weeks. But the more severe form can last much longer and makes movement difficult; you will need to see your doctor for treatment, and you may require a cortisone shot (often called a "pain blocker"). There is also some evidence that seeing a chiropractor can help alleviate the pain of sciatica.

Answer 6

Sciatic nerve pain can become almost unbearable. There are different types of sciatic pain so there are also different symptoms that go along with the pain.

The most common symptom of a sciatic nerve pain is that it is only located in one leg, and never both of them. The pain is not just a dull throbbing or ache but comes as a very sharp pain which almost feels like a burning or searing sensation. This pain will start either in the buttock or lower back and continue down the back of the leg, even at times as far down as the foot. In most cases, the pain feels better when walking or lying down and gets worse when sitting or standing. Still there are other cases when the pain is worse when walking, and better when sitting. Other symptoms may include numbness, tingling, pressure or a weakness in the foot or leg.

The sciatic nerve is located at the base of the spine and is formed by several other nerve roots. These roots are extremely sensitive. The pain occurs when the inner portion of the disc gets too close to the sciatic nerve. It becomes inflamed and irritated which causes the sciatic pain which is also called sciatica.

The sciatic nerve pain will disappear over a period of time. Doing certain sciatica exercises will also help it feel better and the nerve irritation will heal. Unfortunately, there are some other symptoms that may prove that a more serious injury to the nerve has occurred. If any numbness or weakness remains, the nerve may be damaged and a physician should be seen. This is also true is there is a bowel or bladder problem such as incontinence. If the symptoms or pain are very severe, the nerve may be compressed and surgery may be necessary.

There are also leg pain symptoms that may not be sciatica at all. These pains could also be from joint problems or Arthritis.

Answer 7

The pain results from pressure on the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the thigh. You will feel a dull to acute pain running down the back of the leg, usually no lower than the knee.