What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a pain shooting down the sciatic nerve as it runs from the lower back down the buttock and the leg. The sciatic nerve transmits sensation from the lower extremities and lumbar area of the lower back. Sciatica typically affects only one side of the body.

Symptoms

The pain that radiates from the spine to your buttock and down the leg is the main symptom of sciatica. Usually, one side of the body is affected. Some people also have numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot.

Causes

Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. It is common as we reach middle age. Some of the causes of sciatica are herniated disc, spinal stenosis, a spinal tumor, or infection or injury. The risk factors for sciatica include age, obesity, an occupation that requires you to carry a heavy load or twist your back, prolonged sitting, or Diabetes.

Treatment

It is common for people to recover from sciatica without surgical operations. Some of the treatments for sciatica are medicines for pain, ice-packs, physical exercises, and physiotherapy like stretching massaging, and acupuncture.

Treatment at home

To ease the suffering, the patient needs to improve their quality of life. The best way to alleviate most sciatica pain is to do stretching and physical exercising at home. Applying an ice pack may also help to relieve the pain.

When to see a doctor?

When self-care measures fail to lessen your pain or if the pain lasts longer than a week, you should seek a doctor. Immediate medical care or treatment provided by the doctor can help you in your condition.