Sciatica Pain Relief Information

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a common condition where painful sensations start in the lower back and travel through the buttock and down into the back of your leg. If you experience uncomfortable numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in your legs, you could be experiencing sciatica pain.

What IS sciatica, and how can you get sciatic pain relief? Sciatica is not actually a medical diagnosis. It is a symptom of an often persistent problem in the lower back that most often occurs between the ages of thirty to fifty. Sciatica may not be tied to a specific event or injury, and often develops over time due to "wear and tear" on the lower spine.

In medical terms, the most common causes of sciatica are a damaged ("herniated") disc. The clinical term for this cause of sciatica is "radiculopathy." In ordinary terms, this means that a spinal disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column, and is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. The second most common cause of sciatic pain is a constriction in the center of the spinal column ("spinal stenosis") and is irritating the roots of the nerves exiting from your spine.

Do I Have Sciatica?

People suffering from sciatica experience a wide range of symptoms. The sciatica nerve splits at the tail bone, then passes through many muscles in your lower back and all the way down into each of your legs. But symptoms do not always occur on both sides of your body. You might have pain on one side of your buttock, or in one leg that feels worse when you are seated. You could alternately have a burning or tingling sensation in one or both legs, or a sensation of weakness or numbness. Some people experience difficulty moving a leg or a foot. For some the pain is so severe it becomes difficult to sit, stand or walk.

How Can I Get Relief from Sciatica Pain?

Many people who experience sciatica pain and symptoms will feel relief within a few weeks or months through simple non-surgical treatments. But others may experience so much pain that they become incapacitated and unable to complete their normal everyday activities.

Relief from sciatica pain can often be achieved by strengthening the muscles of the back and legs. If you are seeking relief from sciatic pain, consider beginning with a gentle walk, and gradually work up to a brisk daily 3-mile. Such a low-impact approach can build the strength and flexibility of your muscles, and may ultimately relieve your sciatica pain. Some find that aerobic exercise is also effective in achieving relief from their sciatica pain.