Sciatica Information: What You Need to Know
Sciatica is a condition that causes pain, numbness, weakness or a tingling sensation in the lower bag, hips and leg.
This may be due to a range of things including inflammation of the sciatic nerve or injury.
Sciatica is not considered as a disorder but more like a symptom.
The following section provides more helpful sciatica information.
Causes Damaged or strained sciatic nerve often causes sciatica.
Unfortunately, the sciatic nerve tends to be long (starting from the spine to the legs) that when it gets strained, these different parts can also get affected all at once.
The nerve is responsible for controlling the backs of the knees as well as the lower part of the legs.
It's important to take note of the common causes to determine whether or not body pain can be associated with sciatica:
For instance, some patients note only mild pain while others report unbearable pain and burning sensation all throughout the body.
People can also experience weakness in their legs and even numbness from time to time.
Nonetheless, the most common and prominent symptom of such condition is pain.
If the person tries to stand up, walk, sit on a very low position or even simply stretch, pain felt may be due to sciatica.
Prolonged walking or standing can also trigger or worsen the symptom.
Likewise, if the person experiences pain in their lower back, hip or leg when sneezing, laughing or coughing then it may be a sign of sciatica.
Diagnosis There are several ways to diagnose sciatica.
One of these is through a 0neuromuscular examination.
The examination is done on the legs and is conducted by a physician.
Basically, the doctor will test for any difficulty or weakness when bending the legs or moving them in a certain direction.
Reflexes tend to be abnormal when the person is suffering from sciatica.
Any pain can also indicate such condition.
Doctors may also recommend spinal x-ray and even MRI to be sure if there is in fact inflammation in the sciatic nerve.
Treatment Just like diagnosis, there are several ways to treat sciatica.
Some of the more common procedures include application of cold or ice pack, lower back exercise, hamstring stretches, and medication.
Medication can include over the counter or prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs or pain killers.
Surgery is an option determined by the physician.
Likewise, physical therapy is required following the surgical procedure.
There is no best cure and in some cases a combination of such procedures may be administered.
This may be due to a range of things including inflammation of the sciatic nerve or injury.
Sciatica is not considered as a disorder but more like a symptom.
The following section provides more helpful sciatica information.
Causes Damaged or strained sciatic nerve often causes sciatica.
Unfortunately, the sciatic nerve tends to be long (starting from the spine to the legs) that when it gets strained, these different parts can also get affected all at once.
The nerve is responsible for controlling the backs of the knees as well as the lower part of the legs.
It's important to take note of the common causes to determine whether or not body pain can be associated with sciatica:
- Herniated or slipped disc
- Piriformis syndrome (
- Spinal stenosis
- Trauma on lower back (ex.
Physical impact of accidents) - Degenerative disk disease
- Fracture or injury in the pelvic area
- Tumor
For instance, some patients note only mild pain while others report unbearable pain and burning sensation all throughout the body.
People can also experience weakness in their legs and even numbness from time to time.
Nonetheless, the most common and prominent symptom of such condition is pain.
If the person tries to stand up, walk, sit on a very low position or even simply stretch, pain felt may be due to sciatica.
Prolonged walking or standing can also trigger or worsen the symptom.
Likewise, if the person experiences pain in their lower back, hip or leg when sneezing, laughing or coughing then it may be a sign of sciatica.
Diagnosis There are several ways to diagnose sciatica.
One of these is through a 0neuromuscular examination.
The examination is done on the legs and is conducted by a physician.
Basically, the doctor will test for any difficulty or weakness when bending the legs or moving them in a certain direction.
Reflexes tend to be abnormal when the person is suffering from sciatica.
Any pain can also indicate such condition.
Doctors may also recommend spinal x-ray and even MRI to be sure if there is in fact inflammation in the sciatic nerve.
Treatment Just like diagnosis, there are several ways to treat sciatica.
Some of the more common procedures include application of cold or ice pack, lower back exercise, hamstring stretches, and medication.
Medication can include over the counter or prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs or pain killers.
Surgery is an option determined by the physician.
Likewise, physical therapy is required following the surgical procedure.
There is no best cure and in some cases a combination of such procedures may be administered.
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