Sciatica is known for pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. It can be located on the outside, front, or back of either leg. Mostly it affects just one side, but rarely it can affect both sides. Sometimes lower back pain is present, but not always. Numbness and weakness may be present in a number of different areas of the affected leg or foot.
In approximately 90% of cases, sciatica is caused by spinal disc herniation that is pressing on the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. Other conditions that may lead to sciatica are:
- Spondylolisthesis
- Piriformis syndrome
- A bone spur
- Spinal stenosis
- Pelvic tumors
- Compression by a baby’s head during pregnancy
These conditions lead to inflammation and pain with some type of numbness in the affected leg. While the pain of sciatica can be severe at times, it often resolves within a few weeks without the need for surgical intervention.
Symptoms of Sciatica
- Pain that radiates from your lower spine to your lower buttocks and down the back of your leg
- Discomfort anywhere along the sciatic nerve pathway
- Pain is mostly felt in the low back through your buttocks and down the back of the thigh and calf
- Pain may be mild and achy or sharp and burning or even excruciating
- Sometimes the pain is compared to a jolt or electric shock
- Pain worsens when you cough or sneeze
- Sitting for a long time can make symptoms worse
- Usually, only one side of the body is affected
- Muscle weakness, tingling, or numbness is often felt
What Puts One at Risk for Developing Sciatica?
- Being overweight: Excess weight increases stress on the spine and can cause spinal changes that lead to sciatica.
- Certain jobs: Jobs that require you to twist your back, carry huge loads, or drive for long periods may play a role in developing sciatica.
- Your age: Changes that occur in the body due to age – herniated discs and bone spurs – are the most common reasons for sciatica to occur.
- Diabetes: Affecting the way your body uses blood sugar, this condition can increase your risk of nerve damage.
- Sitting for long periods of time: Having a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of sciatica.
Diagnosing Sciatica
One way to find out if someone is suffering from sciatica is to do the straight-leg-raising test. Basically, you lie on your back and raise the affected leg. If this results in shooting pain below the knee, you are suffering from sciatica. Your chiropractor may also check your muscle strength and reflexes. You may be asked to walk on your toes or heels or rise from a squatting position. Most of the time, medical imaging is not needed unless bowel or bladder function is affected or there is a significant loss of feeling or weakness.
Home Remedies
Sciatica responds well to being cared for at home. Resting a little is a good idea, but too much is not helpful with this condition. Some things to try to reduce the pain are:
- Stretching: Practicing some gentle stretching exercises for your lower back can help you feel better and may ease up some of the compression happening to the nerve roots. Avoid bouncing, twisting, or jerking while stretching and hold the stretch for 30 seconds if possible.
- Cold packs: When the pain begins, you may get relief from a cold pack put on the painful area for about 20 minutes a few times a day. Always wrap the cold pack or frozen peas in a towel to avoid frostbite.
- Hot packs: After a few days go by, you can begin applying heat to the painful spots. Using hot packs, a heat lamp, or a heating pad on low is a good place to start. If the pain continues, it may be beneficial to alternate hot and cold.
Tips to Prevent Sciatica
You cannot always avoid sciatica, but there are some things you can practice that will reduce your risk of getting it.
- Exercise regularly: Focus on the core muscles to keep your back strong.
- Keep good posture while sitting: Be sure your seat has good lower back support, armrests, and a swivel base. Keep your knees and hips level. Consider using a rolled up towel to support the small of your back and maintain its natural curve.
- Use good body mechanics: If you must stand for a long time, keep one foot on a stool or small box now and then. If you have to lift something heavy, use your knees to do the work while you move straight up and down. Keep your back straight and bend only at the knees. Do not lift and twist. If possible, find a partner to help.
Natural Relief for Sciatica
It may be hard to believe, but it is possible that the pain of sciatica started in the upper neck. If the bones of the neck are misaligned, even by a little bit, they can cause the spine to twist and shift to compensate for the weight of the head being off balance. This can cause complications throughout the spine and lead to nerves being irritated or pinched.
Here at N8 Upper Cervical in Metro Manila, we use a method that is both gentle and precise to help the bones of the neck to realign. We are able to do this without the need to pop or crack the spine. This leads to longer-lasting adjustments and faster healing time. The body is able to repair the damage incurred by the misalignment, and this helps many to find relief for the pain of sciatica.
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