Sciatica refers to the pain and discomfort caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve or nerve roots. This nerve is the longest nerve in the body which runs from the lower back and pelvis, through the hip and buttock area, down to the back of each leg, and controls many of the muscles in these areas.
When one of the nerve roots in the lower spine is irritated or compressed, the result is pain felt in the lower back, buttock region and/or parts of the leg and foot. This pain can range from an infrequent discomfort to a continuous, excruciating and debilitating pain accompanied by sensations of numbness or weakness in the lower limbs.
It is important to note that Sciatica is not a disorder, but rather a set of symptoms that may differ slightly depending on the cause, which nerve root is being compressed, and why.
Sciatica is more common among people between the ages of 30 and 50 years, and is often the result of general wear and tear, rather than specific injury. While Sciatica can be excruciatingly painful, permanent nerve damage is very rare and the pain symptoms often go away by themselves within about 6 weeks without any invasive treatments. There are however a few treatment options to help relieve the pain and discomfort, and encourage faster healing. |