Sciatica: How to deal with it?
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by injury or pressure on the sciatic nerve (a nerve that travels through the lower back through the hips and buttocks of each leg) and is a symptom of a medical problem while not being a medical condition itself. This article will be going over the causes, symptoms, and treatment of sciatica or sciatic neuritis.
Symptoms
Sciatica pain can be found along the nerve pathway and the pain can vary from mild tingling and aching to burning pain that can sometimes make a person unable to move. Sciatica usually occurs on one side of your legs more than the other. Symptoms of sciatica include:
Sharp pain in the leg, hips, lower back.
Weakness in the leg(s)
Numbness or tingling in the leg, hips, lower back.
Difficulty when bending the knee.
Difficulty bending forward or backward.
Difficulty bending the foot inward or down
The pain from sciatica builds up gradually and can worsen over time. The next section of this article will go over the causes of sciatica and how to prevent it.
The pain from sciatica builds up gradually and can worsen over time. The next section of this article will go over the causes of sciatica and how to prevent it.
Causes
As previously stated, sciatica occurs from pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve, which controls multiple muscles and sensations from the lower back to the sole of the foot. Some causes of sciatica include:
Spinal Stenosis
Pelvic injury or fracture
Slipped or herniated disk (bulging disk in your spine that pushes on the sciatic nerve)
Tumors
Spondylolisthesis
Sciatica usually occurs in men in their 30s-50s. Sciatica isn’t a very challenging symptom to stay protected from, but it can come back even after it goes away, making it difficult to fully recover once obtained. Here are some ways to protect your body from sciatica:
Exercising regularly to keep the back and core muscles strong. Having strong muscles in the abdomen and lower back area can lead to good posture and alignment.
Use your body when you need to stand for extended periods. Periodically place one foot on a stool or small box. When handling a heavy object, utilize the strength of your legs, keeping the load close to your body. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. If an item is heavy or awkward, seek assistance from someone else.
Maintain good posture when sitting or standing by choosing a good seat with needed lower back support. Keep your hips and knees at a stable level.
Avoid prolonged sitting or lying with stress on the buttocks.
In some cases, sciatica doesn’t require any treatment, can heal on its own, and is usually non-surgical. Cases that are a little more severe require:
Pain relievers (ibuprofen, advil, etc.)
Applying ice or a heating pad to the painful area
Physical therapy (in some cases)
Surgery on the spine or nerve (if pain is at its worst)
Light pain from sciatica is easy to treat as long as it is taken care of early on.
Conclusion:
While sciatica has the potential to escalate into a severe condition, it is highly preventable and can be managed with minimal effort. It's crucial to be aware that sciatica is a widespread issue, with at least 3 million cases reported annually. Typically, the pain associated with most cases lasts for a 4-6 week period. If the pain intensifies or persists beyond this timeframe, it is advised to consult a doctor.
Sources:
Pennmedicine.Org, www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/sciatica#:~:text=Sciatica%20refers%20to%20pain%2C%20weakness,a%20medical%20condition%20by%20itself. Accessed 10 Jan. 2024.
“Sciatica.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Sept. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435#:~:text=The%20sciatic%20nerve%20travels%20from,numbness%20in%20the%20affected%20leg.