Sciatica is a condition that describes the symptoms that comes from either compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve that travels the length of the lower body region. If you’re suffering from this condition, then the best thing you can do is learn more so that you’ll be in a better position to get treatment.
What are the main causes of sciatica?
The main reason someone end up developing sciatica is due to a spinal condition coming as a result of either aging or injury. Understand that the spine has to go through a lot in terms of pressure each day. This is even truer for various joints and discs that enable movement. As a person begins to get older these parts can become worn down and as a result they won’t be able to take the different stresses being put on them.
When this happens it leads to conditions such as bone spurs or even a herniated disc. When narrowing causes constricting of the sciatic nerve, then this is when a person can begin to experience sciatic symptoms.
What are some of the primary symptoms of having sciatica?
First if you do have sciatica, then you’ll likely experience it in the lower back region, the hips, buttocks, feet and legs. These are all areas where the sciatic nerve reaches to. You’ll begin to feel some of the following symptoms:
• Specific pain in the mentioned areas
• Shooting pains or electric like pain in your hip or buttocks area
• Pain that travels the whole length of the nerve within the thighs, calves, ankles as well as the feet
• Various muscle weakness
• Tingling like sensations in certain areas of even numbness
What are going to be some of your treatment options if you do have sciatica?
The first thing you’ll need to do is go to the doctor in order to make sure you do indeed have sciatica. Sometimes the pain you’re feeling in certain areas can be related to another condition that would require a different course of treatment. If a doctor isn’t able to properly diagnose the problem and you do feel sciatic is what you have, then it would be best to go to a specialist to get a second opinion.
There are certain tests that can be run on you in order to confirm you have sciatica. Should it be found you have the condition there are numerous treatment options available that are effective in controlling the symptoms sciatica causes.
Some of the main options would include physical therapy, hot/cold therapy, different pain medications, taking part in different stretching exercises, changes to your diet or having to work on your posture. Posture can play a big part in aggravating the condition. So if a person had a job where they had to sit down all day, then steps would have to be taken in order to alleviate the stress caused by doing it. A more comfortable chair for instances ,or making sure to stand up and stretch every once in a while.