Sciatica is the symptom of an underlying medical condition.1 Understanding the possible causes of sciatica can help focus treatment on addressing the root problem rather than just masking the symptoms. The mechanism of sciatic nerve injury is either a result of direct nerve compression, inflammation, an abnormal immune system response of the body, or a combination of all these factors.
Symptoms of sciatica
The main symptom is a shooting pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve; from the lower back, through the buttock,
and down the back of either leg.
Other common symptoms of sciatica include:
numbness in the leg along the nerve
tingling sensation (pins and needles) in the feet and toes
This pain can range in severity and may be aggravated by sitting for long periods.
Sciatica is a common symptom of several different medical conditions; however, an estimated 90 percent of cases are due to a herniated disk. The spinal column is made up of three parts:
vertebra
nerves
disks
Disks are made of cartilage, which is a strong and resilient material; the cartilage acts as a cushion between each vertebra and allows the spine to be flexible. A herniated disk occurs when a disk is pushed out of place, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Other causes of sciatica include:
Lumbar spinal stenosis – narrowing of the spinal cord in the lower back.
Spondylolisthesis – a condition where a disk slips forward over the vertebra below it.
Tumors within the spine – these may compress the root of the sciatic nerve.
Infection – ultimately affecting the spine.
Other causes – for instance, injury within the spine.
Cauda equina syndrome – a rare but serious condition that affects the nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord; it requires immediate medical attention.
Treatments
The goal of treatment is to decrease your pain and increase your mobility. Depending on the cause, many cases of sciatica go away over time with some simple self-care treatments.
Self-care treatments include:
Appling ice and/or hot packs: First, use ice packs to reduce pain and swelling. Apply ice packs or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel to the affected area. Apply for 20 minutes, several times a day. Switch to a hot pack or a heating pad after the first several days. Apply for 20 minutes at a time. If you’re still in pain, switch between hot and cold packs – whichever best relieves your discomfort.
Taking over-the-counter medicines: Take medicines to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. The many common over-the-counter medicines in this category, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®). Be watchful if you choose to take aspirin. Aspirin can cause ulcers and bleeding in some people. If you’re unable to take NSAIDS, acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken instead.
Performing gentle stretches: Learn proper stretches from an instructor with experience with low back pain. Work up to other general strengthening, core muscle strengthening and aerobic exercises.
