Sciatica is a crippling pain caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. It is characterized by a pinching sensation in the lower back and legs. Sciatica can seriously impact your day-to-day life if left untreated.
If you feel you may have sciatica nerve pain, read our guide below. We discuss what it feels like and offer some quick methods to soothe the pain.
What Is Sciatica Nerve Pain?
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that lies at the base of your spine. It is the largest nerve in your body and branches off to send signals down your thighs, calves, and into your feet. It covers a vast area, and as such a problem here can cause problems all over your lower body due to the branching network of nerves.
Sciatica as a Condition
This affliction is sometimes viewed as a condition. However, sciatica is a symptom. A problem will be occurring somewhere that is pushing or impacting the sciatic nerve.
If you have sciatic pain, you must visit a doctor to determine the cause. This could be related to any number of problems. You may have sciatic pain if you feel the following;
Numbness in the Leg
If you are feeling numbness and pain in your legs, this could be one of the sciatica signs. It can often occur on the side of the legs. This kind of sciatic pain is sometimes a sign that herniated discs or bone spurs are impacting upon the nerves.
Although it can impact both legs, it is more common for one leg to be afflicted at a time. Suffers may also feel a tingling sensation.
Tingling in the Feet and Toes
Tingling in the feet, toes, and even legs can be sciatica symptoms. It is a similar feeling to that which you get when an arm, leg, or hand ‘goes’ to sleep due to restricted blood flow. However, the feeling will remain in someone with sciatica.
Inflammation
Inflammation can often accompany sciatica. It can be in the back itself or at other points. Inflammation could also be a cause of sciatica, so check this with a doctor.
Weakness
Weakness and fatigue in the muscles can be a symptom of sciatica. Very often, this is more directly related to the suffers inability to do anything because of pain. It results in loss of muscle strength.
Loss of Bladder and Bowel Control
In extreme circumstances, loss of bladder and bowel control can occur. This is through the extended problem of Cauda Equina, the pressure exerted on the cluster of nerves at the bottom of the spine.
Can I Treat It at Home?
Sciatica can be managed at home, but it’s caused by a larger problem that must be diagnosed by a doctor. One of the five things to know about sciatica is that the underlying cause of the condition determines the treatment.
Doing light stretches may help sciatica, along with adding heat to the lower spine through packs or balms. If you are overweight, try to change your diet and include foods proven to reduce inflammation.
Will It Go Away?
The good news is that sciatica nerve pain will eventually go away if you diagnose the problem and treat it accordingly. This may mean a change in lifestyle or exercise regimens.
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