Sciatica Pain: Is Sciatica Back Pain Relief Possible?

As a Sciatica sufferer I wanted to find out how not only to alleviate the pain when it happens, but how I could control or prevent it from happening.

Firstly what is Sciatica? – Sciatica is described in numerous ways: dull ache, throbbing pain, stinging, numbness and incredible discomfort. The Sciatic nerve is a large nerve that starts in the lower back and runs through the buttock and down the lower limb. It is the longest and widest single nerve in the body.

The Sciatic nerve is the main nerve in the leg and the largest in the body. It runs from the base of the spine, along the back of the thigh to the knee, where it divides into branches. It supplies nearly the whole of the skin of the leg, the muscles of the back of the thigh, and those of the leg and foot. Pain usually radiates down the back of a particular leg possibly all the way to the calf, ankle or foot.

If Sciatica persists it may lead to a feeling of numbness or tingling sensation. This is usually the result of the body’s inability to send pain signals back to the brain from the leg. Along with numbness, a person with Sciatica may experience weakness in an affected extremity. This may lead to limping or dragging of a foot, buckling of the knees and difficulty rising from a seated position. In this case, Sciatica treatment is required.

What causes it? – Sciatic pain is usually caused by compression of this nerve at the point where it leaves the spine. Damage to the nerve can also cause pain. In young and early middle-aged adults, the most common cause of sciatica is a prolapsed disc. In older people, changes in the spine due to conditions such as Osteoarthritis may be responsible. Sometimes, just sitting awkwardly can cause sciatica.

What are the symptoms? -Sciatica usually only affects one leg. The pain may be felt in the buttock, down the back of the leg, below the knee and in the foot. Such pain can be mild or severe; it may be persistent or come in spasms. People with sciatica may also experience numbness, tingling and muscle weakness in the affected leg. It can be worse when you cough or move, and is sometimes accompanied by low back pain.

What is the treatment? – Sciatica sometimes resolves without treatment. However, if it doesn’t you may be prescribed the following: Painkillers, Anti-inflammatory medication, Physiotherapy, and/or massage etc, the benefits of appropriate exercises will often bring relief without the dependency of drugs.

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