Sciatica Nerve Pain

Sciatica refers to a pain that affects the back, hip and outer side of the leg. The causes are as a result of a spinal root in the lower back. It is often related to the degeneration of an intervertebral disk that damages or puts pressure on the sciatica nerve. This condition is usually self-diagnosable because when a herniated disc or bone spur in the spine presses on the nerve, the symptoms will be easily diagnosable.

Symptoms

• Pain in the back, buttocks and lower extremities of the body.
• The severity of the pain varies, it can be mild, sharp or radiate.
• A muscular difficulty which negatively affects walking and causes muscle weakness.
• Burning sensation and foot numbness.
• Sensory leg numbness or pins and needles.

Treatment

Sciatica nerve pain can be treated at home as a first line of defense. It is important to keep the nerve active so physical therapy, an anti- inflammatory medication, and ice packs are a good start.

• A nerve release can be done
• A steroidal injection into the nerve

If there is a loss of bladder/bowel function or loss of sensation or increased weakness in the legs then it is considered a medical emergency and you should immediately seek medical treatment

Causes

• Lumbar spinal stenosis.
• Degenerative disc disease.
• Spondylolisthesis.
• Pregnancy.
• Muscle spasm.