Sciatica Causes And Symptoms

Sciatica is a pain in the lower back, hip, buttocks, or leg caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve. Most of the time, the pain travels from the back of the lower buttocks or upper thigh to the back of the calf, and may extend up to the hip, and down to the foot. In addition to pain, there may be numbness, tingling, and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg.


Although sciatica is a relatively common form of low back pain and leg pain, the true meaning of the term often is misunderstood. Sciatica is a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is irritating the root of the nerve, causing the pain. Sciatica is caused by the compression of a lumbar spine nerve root called the "sciatic nerve root, and, far less commonly, by compression of the sciatic nerve itself.


True sciatica is caused by compression at the nerve root. It is usually referred to as lumbar radiculopathy when caused by a spinal disc herniation, which causes an enlarging or misaligning of the lumbar discs. Sciatica may also be experienced in late pregnancy, primarily resulting from the uterus pressing on the sciatic nerve, and, secondarily, from the muscular tension or vertebral compression consequent to carrying the extra weight of the fetus, and the postural changes inherent to pregnancy. One cause of sciatica is a spinal disc herniation, pressing on the sciatic nerve.


The spinal discs are composed of a spongiform cartilage with a liquid center. The discs separate the vertebrae, thereby allowing room for the sciatic nerve to properly exit through the sacral portion of the pelvis down into the leg. The discs cushion the spine from compressive forces, but are weak to pressure applied during rotational movements.


That is why a person who bends to one side, at a bad angle, to pick up a piece of paper may more likely herniate a spinal disc than a person falling from a ladder and landing on his or her back. Compression of the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc occurs when the liquid center of the disc bulges outwards, tearing the external ring of fibers, and ballooning onto the nerve root.


Other compressive spinal causes include Spinal Canal Stenosis, a condition wherein the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord. This narrowing can decrease available space for the sciatic nerve to properly exit, thus pinching the nerve and irritating it with friction. The sciatic nerve runs through the piriformis muscle in the buttocks region. When the muscle shortens or spasms due to trauma, it can compress the sciatic nerve. This cause of sciatic symptoms is Piriformis Syndrome.


The approach to treating Sciatica is to reduce the compressive forces causing the pressure upon the sciatic nerve. This can be accomplished through traction and realignment therapeutic procedures in the case where the sciatica is spinal-related. Manual muscle stretching, massage, and mobilization techniques should be used when the sciatica is piriformis muscle-related. General therapeutic goals include helping the muscles loosen, thereby lessening pain, and to minimize inflammation. Generally, such stretching and massaging is best left to a physical therapist or a chiropractor.

Back To Home