Sciatica is nerve pain that begins in the buttock/gluteal area and is caused by an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the body’s longest and thickest (almost a finger’s breadth) nerve. It’s made up of five nerve roots: two from the lower back, known as the lumbar spine, and three from the sacrum, the last segment of the spine. A right and left sciatic nerve are formed when the five nerve roots come together. One sciatic nerve runs through your hips, buttocks, and down one leg, ending just below the knee on each side of your body. The sciatic nerve splits into several nerves that run down your leg and into your foot and toes.
Although true sciatic nerve injury is uncommon, the term “sciatica” is often used to describe any pain that begins in the lower back and spreads down the leg. The cause of this pain is nerve damage, such as irritation, inflammation, pinching, or compression of a nerve in your lower back.
If you suffer from “sciatica,” “Mild to severe pain can be felt anywhere along the sciatic nerve’s course, which runs from the lower back to the hips, buttocks, and/or down the legs. Muscle weakness in your leg and foot, numbness in your leg, and a tingling pins-and-needles sensation in your leg, foot, and toes are all possible side effects.
CLICK NEXT TO CONTINUE READING
What is the sensation of sciatica pain?
Depending on the origin of sciatica pain, people describe it in a variety of ways. Sharp, shooting, or jolting pain is how some people describe the pain. Some people describe the pain as “burning.” “Electric” or “stabbing” are two words that come to mind.
The pain may be persistent or intermittent. In addition, the pain in your leg is frequently more intense than in your lower back. When you sit or stand for lengthy periods of time, stand up, or twist your upper body, the pain may become worse. Coughing or sneezing, which are both forced and quick body movements, might aggravate the pain.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica causes the following symptoms:
-Pain in the lower back, buttocks, and down your leg, ranging from mild to severe.
-Weakness or numbness in the lower back, buttocks, leg, or feet
-Pain that gets worse with movement; inability to move.
-A sensation of pins and needles in your legs, toes, or foot
-Lack of bladder and bowel control (due to cauda equina).
What is the prevalence of sciatica?
Sciatica is an extremely prevalent ailment. Sciatica affects about 40% of people in the United States at some point in their lives. Back pain is the third most prevalent reason for people to seek medical help.
CLICK NEXT TO CONTINUE READING
What are the elements that put you at risk for sciatica?
You’re more likely to get sciatica if you:
-Have a current or former injury: Sciatica is more likely if you have a lower back or spine injury.
-Live life: As you become older, your bone tissue and disks in your spine naturally wear down. The changes and movements in bone, disks, and ligaments that occur as you age can put your nerves at danger of being harmed or pinched.
-If you’re obese, your spine acts like a vertical crane. The counterweights are your muscles. Your spine (crane) has to lift the weight you carry in the front of your body. With increased weight, your back muscles (counterweights) have to work harder. Back strains, aches, and other back problems can result as a result of this.
-A weak core: Your “core” is made up of the muscles in your back and abdomen. Your lower back will be better supported if your core is stronger. Unlike your chest, where your rib cage offers support, your lower back relies only on your muscles for stability.
-Working in an active, physical job: Jobs that require heavy lifting or prolonged sitting may raise your risk of low back problems and use of your back.
-Failure to maintain right body form in the weight room: Even if you are physically healthy and active, you can get sciatica if you do not maintain proper body form while lifting weights or performing other strength-training exercises.
-Diabetes: Diabetes raises the risk of nerve injury, which in turn increases the risk of sciatica.
-Having osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis can harm your spine and put your nerves in jeopardy.
-Inactive lifestyle: Sitting for lengthy periods of time without exercising and keeping your muscles moving, flexible, and toned can raise your risk of sciatica.
-Smoke: Tobacco’s nicotine can harm spinal tissue, weaken bones, and hasten the deterioration of vertebral disks.
CLICK NEXT TO CONTINUE READING
What is the treatment for sciatica?
The goal of treatment is to reduce pain while increasing mobility. Many cases of sciatica go away over time with relatively basic self-care therapies, depending on the cause.
Treatments for self-care include:
-Using cold and/or hot packs: To minimize pain and swelling, start with ice packs. To treat the affected area, wrap ice packs or a bag of frozen veggies in a towel. Apply multiple times a day for 20 minutes each time. After the first few days, switch to a hot pack or a heating pad. Apply for a total of 20 minutes each time. If you’re still in pain, try switching between hot and cold packs to see which one works best for you.
-Using over-the-counter medications: Use pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and anti-swelling medications. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), and naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®) are just a few of the many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) available over-the-counter. If you opt to take aspirin, be cautious. In certain people, aspirin might cause ulcers and bleeding. If you can’t use NSAIDS, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) instead.
-Performing gentle stretches: Learn proper stretches from an expert with low back pain experience. Work your way up to other general-strengthening, core-muscle-strengthening, and cardio-vascular exercises.
YOU CAN ALSO READ
Comments
Post a Comment