Sciatic nerve pain is caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. It innervates the lower back, legs and feet. That is the reason why you can feel the pain from your lower back, across your legs, and down to your feet.
There are different conditions that can cause compression of the sciatic nerve. Perhaps the number one cause for sciatica is the presence of a bulging or herniated disc. There is a gel-like substance known as the nucleus pulposus found in between vertebrae. It is encased by an outer wall known as the annulus fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus acts as a cushion and shock absorber so that the vertebral bones do not scratch against each other.
Disc herniation happens when the nucleus pulposus breaks out of the annulus fibrosus and compresses and irritates adjacent nerve roots, hence causing sciatica. Worse, it can cause nerve inflammation, thus adding to the numbness and tingling experienced in sciatica. Disc herniation can be a result of degenerative disc disease, which often happens in older people because it involves the gradual deterioration of the discs in between the vertebrae due to wear and tear.
Degenerative disc disease can also cause sciatica. Just like other body parts, the vertebrae are also subject to wear and tear, which is what happens in degenerative disc disease. When this happens in the lumbar or lower back part of the vertebrae, it can result into sciatica, since the sciatic nerves become irritated. Also, this condition makes a person more susceptible to developing disc herniation.
Another disorder that commonly affects the lumbar spine and thus causes sciatica is spondylolisthesis. In this condition, a vertebra slips over another vertebra, and this displacement can cause compression of some nerve roots. If the sciatic nerves are affected, then the person will feel sciatic nerve pain on the lower back, legs, and feet.
Other than the sciatic nerve pain, the affected person may experience other spondylolisthesis symptoms, such as lordosis, weakness on the affected thigh or leg, decreased bowel and bladder control, tight hamstrings, and a waddling gait. This condition can either be acquired from trauma or spinal degeneration, or developmental if it has been present since birth.
Another condition that can create compression of the sciatic nerve and produce sciatica is the piriformis muscle. This is the muscle that is found in the lower part of the spine. It is connected to the femur or thigh bone, and functions in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve is located very near the piriformis muscle, since the former is located beneath the said muscle. When the piriformis muscle develops muscle spasms, it can compress the sciatic nerve, thus resulting into sciatica. This condition that leads to sciatica is known as the piriformis syndrome.
Diagnosing piriformis syndrome may be a little difficult since it cannot be found through x-ray or MRI. However, one can prevent and cure sciatica caused by piriformis syndrome through physical therapy that involves stretching, massaging, and strengthening the piriformis muscle.
Even tumors of the spine can cause sciatica. Remember that most disease conditions that cause sciatica basically compress the sciatic nerve, which in turn causes sciatica. An abnormal benign or malignant spinal tumor is no different. While these spinal tumors are very rare, they can compress the sciatic nerve if they grow in the lumbar or lower back region.
Sciatica is not only due to several disease conditions. Trauma can also result to sciatica, since the sciatic nerve can also be directly compressed by external forces on the lumbar or sacral area, where the sciatic nerve is located. The impact from the trauma may also cause injury to the nerves.
In order to relieve sciatica and stop back pain associated with it, one can apply alternate hot and cold packs on the lower back. The cold pack is applied when there is intense pain, while the heat pack is used after the pain has subsided. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used to reduce inflammation and pain. Examples of these drugs include ibuprofen and aspirin. Consult your doctor first before taking any of these drugs.
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