What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is one of the most common causes of chronic pain, with as many as 40% of people experiencing it at some point. It can range from a short-lived annoyance to a severe, debilitating disruption of everyday life.
The good news is that there are treatment options that can relieve the pain and sometimes even prevent sciatica from becoming an issue.
Before we get to all that, let’s take a moment to learn a little bit more about sciatica. After all, knowledge is the first step to prevention!
What is sciatica?
So, what is sciatica pain? The term “sciatica” has its roots in ancient Greece, where it was first used to describe pain in the hips or thighs. Since then, we have learned that this condition can in fact cause pain throughout most of the lower half of the body.
Specifically, sciatica refers to pain associated with the sciatic nerves, which run from the lower back, through the buttocks, down the back of the legs and to the feet.
Sciatica fact: The sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in the body, about the width of a pinkie finger.
Sciatica pain is caused by the sciatic nerve becoming pinched, usually by a herniated (or bulging) disc, bones spurs, or on rare occasion, by the formation of tumors.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica can present with a variety of painful symptoms. You may experience just one symptom at a time or several. Some of the most common sciatica symptoms include:
- Throbbing pain in the lower back, hip or buttocks
- Leg or buttock pain made worse by long periods of sitting down
- Burning or tingling sensation in the leg
- Weakness or numbness in the affected leg or foot
- Shooting pain in the lower body, like an electric shock
Almost all symptoms of sciatica occur on or near the path of the sciatic nerves, and usually only effect one side of the body.
The severity of sciatica pain differs from person to person, but even mild cases run the risk of becoming worse. Because of this, it is a good idea to check with your doctor if you are experiencing any sciatica symptoms.
What causes sciatica?
When it comes to what causes sciatica, let’s just say, “it’s complicated.” Because of the large size of the sciatic nerve and the many ways the condition presents itself, a lot of factors are thought to increase the risk of developing sciatic pain.
Age
Herniated discs and bone spurs are the most common causes of sciatica. These symptoms become more common with increasing age, and as a result, the likelihood of developing sciatica increases as well when you get older.
Obesity
The heavier you are, the more pressure is placed on the spine and the harder it has to work to support your body. Added pressure on the spine increases the likelihood of developing a herniated disc and can result in the onset of sciatica.
Excessive sitting
Regularly sitting for long periods of time puts extra pressure on the sciatic nerve, increasing the risk of pinching it and causing sciatica. This risk is increased if your body is off balance due to poor posture or carrying items like a wallet in your back pocket.
Injury or trauma
Severe injuries that result in slipped or ruptured discs can compress the sciatic nerve and lead to sciatica.
Smoking
This is one of the less understood risk factors. Research has suggested that smoking may contribute to developing sciatica. While quitting smoking was shown to reduce the risk, there is nothing yet to suggest quitting will eliminate it. But reducing risk is much better than doing nothing!
How is sciatica treated?
So how do you find relief from sciatic nerve discomfort? Luckily, for as many risk factors as there are for sciatica, there are also plenty of options for treating sciatica pain.
At-home methods for relieving sciatica pain:
- A few days of bed rest and relaxation can do the trick
- Stretches that focus on the lower back
- Mild exercise
- Applying a cold compress for a few days, then switching to hot
- Over-the-counter pain meds like aspirin or ibuprofen
Physical therapy can also be an effective way to relieve sciatica pain symptoms. If at-home remedies are not enough, consider scheduling an appointment with a physical therapist.
Sometimes, surgery may be required to treat sciatica pain when more conservative options fail.
Surgical options for relieving sciatic nerve pain:
- Diskectomy – The removal of discs or bone spurs pinching the sciatic nerve.
- Laminectomy – The removal of spinal tissue that may be compressing the sciatic nerve.
- Foraminotomy – Enlarging the opening where the sciatic nerve exits the spinal column to relieve pressure.
- Facetectomy – Trimming or removing facet joints that are pinching the sciatic nerve.
- Radiofrequency ablation – Destroying the nerve endings with heat, stopping the nerve from sending pain signals to the brain.
- Spinal cord stimulation – An implanted device applies mild electric pulses to nerves, blocking pain signals before they reach the brain.
How do I prevent sciatica?
There is no magic formula or miracle cure that guarantees you won’t get sciatica. But here are some expert tips from the professionals that may help keep sciatica pain away.
Get regular exercise
Focus particularly on strengthening your core (which are the muscles in your abdomen and lower back). These muscles are essential for proper posture and alignment. As a result, keeping them strong will help to prevent sciatica pain.
Always lift with your legs
Bend down at the knees and keep your back in a straight line. Do not bend forward at the hips. Hold the load close to you. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously. If the object is heavy or awkward, find a lifting partner.
Maintain good sitting posture
Choosing a good seat is the first step. Find a seat with good lower back support, armrests, and a swivel base. Keep your knees level with your hips. For some, keeping a pillow or towel at the small of your back will help maintain its normal curve.
Don’t sit for too long
Make sure you are getting up from your seat and moving your body throughout the day. Excessive sitting can gradually place more pressure on the sciatic nerve and can accelerate the onset of sciatica symptoms.
Avoid or quit smoking
Over time, smoking can restrict the blood’s ability to deliver adequate oxygen to the body. Reduced oxygen inhibits the body’s natural healing abilities. This can increase the likelihood of disc degeneration and the development of sciatica.
Seek treatment for sciatic nerve pain
Yes, it’s a bit disappointing to hear, but even if you closely follow all of the above recommendations, it is still possible to develop sciatic nerve pain. But that does not mean that all hope is lost. Not by a long shot. Your local pain management clinic can offer a wide variety of treatments that can provide relief.
While it is difficult to guarantee immediate relief for sciatica pain, most of the treatments available today are minimally invasive, outpatient therapies that can deliver effective relief within a few hours or days. Additionally, pain relief will often continue to improve during the next few weeks after treatment.
So if you find yourself suffering from sciatic nerve pain, don’t hesitate to contact your local pain management clinic. Your primary care physician can also recommend some options as well.
Sciatica is a nuisance, but don’t let it get the better of you. You can still live an active, happy lifestyle as long as you know the facts and make smart choices!
Get relief from sciatica pain at Twin Cities Pain Clinic
If you are experiencing any of the sciatic nerve pain symptoms mentioned above, schedule an appointment with Twin Cities Pain Clinic today. Our providers are clinically trained experts in the treatment of chronic pain and can prescribe a customized care plan to help relieve your sciatica pain.
Call: 952-841-2345
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The contents of this article are intended for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before engaging in any action or decision-making based on the content of this article. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of the content of this article or any other content on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website. Reliance on any information conveyed on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website without direct consultation with a healthcare professional is solely at your own risk.
References
- Mayo Clinic. Sciatica – symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Published 2018. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
- Sciatica – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. Published 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377441
- Atlas SJ. Taming the pain of sciatica: For most people, time heals and less is more – Harvard Health Blog. Harvard Health Blog. Published July 12, 2017. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/taming-pain-sciatica-people-time-heals-less-2017071212048
- https://www.facebook.com/WebMD. Pain Management and Sciatica. WebMD. Published February 22, 2005. https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/guide/sciatica-symptoms
- Stafford MA, Peng P, Hill DA. Sciatica: a review of history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the role of epidural steroid injection in management. BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2007;99(4):461-473. doi:10.1093/bja/aem238
- MD DF. Weight Loss for Back Pain Relief. Spine-health. https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/nutrition-diet-weight-loss/weight-loss-back-pain-relief
- Shiri R, Falah-Hassani K. The Effect of Smoking on the Risk of Sciatica: A Meta-analysis. The American Journal of Medicine. 2016;129(1):64-73.e20. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.07.041
