Sciatica

Sciatica, medically knows as lumbar radiculopathy, is nerve pain from an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve, which originates in your buttock/gluteal area. The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the body. It’s actually made up of five nerve roots: two from the lower back region called the lumbar spine and three from the final section of the spine called the sacrum. The five nerve roots come together to form a right and left sciatic nerve. On each side of your body, one sciatic nerve runs through your buttocks and down each leg. The sciatic nerve branches into other nerves, which continue down your leg and into your foot and toes.

The term “sciatica” is commonly used to describe any pain that originates in the lower back and radiates down the leg. This is essentially an injury to a nerve –inflammation and/or compression of a nerve in your lower back.

If you have “sciatica,” you can experience mild to severe pain anywhere along the path of the sciatic nerve – that is, anywhere from the lower back, through the hips, buttocks and/or down your legs. It can also cause a pins and needles sensation, as well as numbness in your leg, foot, or toes.

What does sciatica pain feel like?

Sciatic pain is often described as sharp, shooting, burning, or jolts of pain. Others describe this pain as “electric” or “stabbing.”

The pain may be constant, or it may come and go. The pain is usually more severe in your leg compared to your lower back. The pain may feel worse if you sit or stand for long periods of time.  A forced and sudden body movement, like a cough or sneeze, can also make the pain worse.

Does sciatica occur suddenly or does it take time to develop?

Sciatica can come on suddenly or gradually. It depends on the cause. A disk herniation can cause sudden pain. Arthritis in the spine develops slowly over time.

How common is sciatica?

Sciatica is a very common complaint. About 40% of people in the U.S. experience sciatica sometime during their life. Back pain is the third most common reason people visit their healthcare provider.

What are the risk factors for sciatica?

You are at greater risk of sciatica if you:

• Have an injury/previous injury: An injury to your lower back or spine puts you at greater risk for sciatica.
• Live life: With normal aging comes a natural wearing down of bone tissue and disks in your spine. Normal aging can put your nerves at risk of being injured or pinched by the changes and shifts in bone, disks and ligaments.
• Are overweight: Your spine is like a vertical crane. Your muscles are the counterweights. The weight you carry in the front of your body is what your spine (crane) has to lift. The more weight you have, the more your back muscles (counterweights) have to work. This can lead to back strains, pains and other back issues.
• Lack a strong core: Your “core” are the muscles of your back and abdomen. The stronger your core, the more support you’ll have for your lower back. Unlike your chest area, where your rib cage provides support, the only support for your lower back is your muscles.
• Have an active, physical job: Jobs that require heavy lifting may increase your risk of low back problems and use of your back, or jobs with prolonged sitting may increase your risk of low back problems.
• Lack proper posture in the weight room: Even if you are physically fit and active, you can still be prone to sciatica if you don’t follow proper body form during weight lifting or other strength training exercises.
• Have diabetes: Diabetes increases your chance of nerve damage, which increases your chance of sciatica.
• Have osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis can cause damage to your spine and put nerves at risk of injury.
• Lead an inactive lifestyle: Sitting for long period of time and not exercising and keeping your muscles moving, flexible and toned can increase your risk of sciatica.
• Smoke: The nicotine in tobacco can damage spinal tissue, weaken bones, and speed the wearing down of vertebral disks.