Sciatica - Sciatic Pain Stretches and Treatments

Sciatica - Sciatic Pain in Leg

Sciatica is likely one of the first words that come to mind when thinking of leg pain. This article offers a brief guide to understanding sciatica, as well as methods for treating sciatic pain in leg, back, and buttocks.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica is a term used to describe a set of symptoms, not an actual medical diagnosis. Sciatic pain starts in the lower back from a pinched nerve. Contrary to popular belief, sciatica is not passed on genetically. The sciatic nerve becomes pinched as a result of a spinal injury or conditions that occur during aging. A herniated (or "slipped") disc, weakened spine, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), or a lumbar subluxation (vertabra in an improper position) are some common causes of a pinched sciatic nerve.

Symptoms of sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. When pinched, pain can follow the nerve from the lower back, out to one side or the other of the buttocks, most notably causing leg pain down the back of one leg and sometimes into the feet and toes.

The actual intensity and duration of leg pain and other symptoms can vary widely between individuals. Sciatica may be a minor irritation for one patient, while another may experience debilitating sciatic pain in leg, rear, and lower back.

Recovery from sciatica often takes only a few weeks, but some find sciatic leg pain to be much more persistent - sometimes lasting months or years. Symptoms may grow worse over time.

Please note that if you experience increasing weakness or loss of sensation in the legs or any loss of control in bowel or bladder you should seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment for sciatic leg pain

Any treatment of sciatica must begin with an accurate diagnosis of the source of trouble. Arthritis and piriformis syndrome are two conditions frequently confused with sciatica as they have similar symptoms.

Once the cause of leg pain has been determined to be sciatica, treatments may include:

• Physical therapy or chiropractic care to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve
• Alternating heat and ice massage therapy for pain relief
• Anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to relieve inflammation and related pressure
• Steroid injections into the spine (epidurals) to relieve inflammation and lower back pain
• Surgery
You can learn more about sciatica stretches and treatments by watching our videos on sciatica.

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