Sciatica Nerve Pain Symptoms, Treatment and Exercises for Relief
Sciatica is the term used to describe symptoms when you have a sciatic nerve issue.
Your sciatic nerve is a large nerve running from the lower back down the back of each leg and into your foot. It controls the muscles in the back of your knee, lower leg, and gives feeling to:
- sole of your foot
- part of your lower leg
- the back of your thigh
When you have sciatica, you might experience:
- pain
- tingling
- weakness
- numbness
This feeling can start in your lower back and run all the way down your leg to your calf, foot and toes. Usually only disturbing one side of the body.
Causes of sciatica may be due to:
- a ruptured disk
- spinal stenosis
- injury ~ pelvic fracture
In many cases no cause can be found. And in most cases, sciatica heals on its own, given time and rest.
Self help treatments include:
- hot or cold therapy on painful muscles
- bed rest for a couple of days for inflammation reduction
- after initial rest period, get moving to help reduce inflammation
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ~ ibuprofen, aspirin or muscle relaxants for pain relief
Start stretching exercises and short walks as soon as possible.
If sciatica pain persists for more than 3 months, discuss it with your health care provider for possible cortisone-like drug injections or surgical options.
- Why Exercise Causes and Prevents Lower Back Pain
- Four Key Components to Physical Health and Fitness
- Why Spinal Stenosis Causes Back Ache or Pain of Spine Narrowing
- Eliminate Sciatic Nerve Pain Without Drugs or Surgery Through Gentle Exercises and Healthful Choices
Filed under: Back