Psiatic Nerve Pain

What Is Sciatic Nerve Pain?

• The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve of the body, running from the lower back through the buttocks region and down the leg to the toes. Irritation to this nerve can cause pain in the buttocks that can radiate into the back of the leg, and in severe cases, into the foot, heel and toes. This type of radiating pain is also known as radiculopathy.
  
  

What Causes Sciatic Nerve Pain?

• The most common cause of this nerve disorder is a spinal disc herniation in the lower back area that presses on the nerve. A disc herniation occurs when the nucleus, or center of the disc, protrudes or leaks out of the disc space. Spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the canal in which the spinal disc is located, and degenerative disc disease can also attribute to sciatic nerve pain. Other causes include injuries, infections or irritation of the nerve from problems with the bones or muscles in the area of the nerve.
  
  

Symptoms of Sciatic Nerve Pain

• Sciatic nerve pain can vary between a burning, numb or tingling sensation to a sharp, shooting pain, which is typically on one side of the body. Pain can intensify with movement or can remain constant. Sciatica sufferers may also experience weakness in the leg or foot. In extreme cases, loss of bowel and bladder control may arise. The loss of bodily function control is a serious side effect that may indicate a more serious problem and requires immediate medical assistance.
  
  

How to Treat Sciatic Nerve Pain

• Treatment of sciatic nerve pain is dependent on the origin. Physical therapy options include ice or heat application and electrical stimulation, as well as a comprehensive stretching and exercise routine to increase flexibility, strength and mobility while providing muscle tension release. A physical therapist can also provide suggestions to increase proper posture and body mechanics to minimize nerve pain symptoms in the future.
  If sciatic nerve pain is unresponsive to conservative measures, epidural steroid injections or surgical intervention may be necessary. An epidural steroid injection is a procedure where corticosteroid medications are inserted into the area of nerve irritation to decrease inflammation. Surgical procedures involve the correction of the problematic spinal disc to relieve nerve pressure and are typically reserved for cases in which symptoms are severe or bowel and bladder control is lost.
  
  

How to Cope with Sciatic Nerve Pain

• The presence of constant radiating pain or pain that comes as a result of certain movements can interfere with daily activities. Applying ice or heat to the area of discomfort and using NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may ease symptoms. Performing a regular stretching and exercise routine can help maintain mobility and flexibility while providing a release of endorphins, the body's natural pain killer. Methods such as massage to release tight muscles and chiropractics to realign the spine may also help relieve symptoms of sciatic nerve pain.