Sciatica is the term applied to symptoms that develop due to irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerves arise initially as a group of smaller nerves that branch off from the spinal cord on both sides of the lower lumbar and sacral area. This group of smaller nerves comes together in the pelvis as the sciatic nerve which then runs down each leg towards the foot, dividing into two parts in the lower leg.

Disc bulges / herniations are the most common sources of sciatic nerve irritation. A herniated disc can push against one or more of the component parts of the sciatic nerve where they arise from the spinal cord. In addition, disc injuries may be accompanied by swelling and inflammation, which can further compress and irritate nerves. The symptoms may be felt all or part of the way along the course of the sciatic nerve, beginning in the buttock area and extending down the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot.

Sciatica may also be caused by bone spurs growing into the nerve canals in the lower spine or by direct trauma to the nerve as with an impact directly over the nerve in the buttock area. In extremely rare instances, a spinal tumor may cause sciatica, as can a cyst or tumor in the knee that compresses the nerve.

Contrary to a common misconception, not all leg pain is sciatica. True sciatica is characterized as being mostly in the back of the leg, and may be felt as a sharp pain, burning, tingling, or like an electric shock. But even symptoms that meet that description are not a definite indicator of true sciatica. In some cases, knots of contraction called trigger points in a muscle called the piriformis that is found in the buttock area can cause referred pain that closely mimics sciatica. Trigger points in other muscles in the buttocks and upper thigh can cause referred pain in the side of the leg that may be mistaken for sciatica as well.

In cases of true sciatica, there are various treatment options, most of which are directed at either treating a bulging disc and/or reducing inflammation to reduce pressure on the nerve. Although most cases of sciatica will resolve over time with or without treatment, due to the severity of the pain typically involved, most people with sciatica will seek out treatment. Unfortunately, many of the commonly-used treatments for sciatica have had very limited success, but new treatment options are becoming available that provide safer and more effective relief of sciatica symptoms

 

About the Author:

Dr. George Best has been helping people recover from sciatica since 1992. For more information, check out another of his articles on Sciatica Symptom Relief, or visit his website on Sciatica.