Sciatica PDF Print E-mail
Share
Sciatic refers to a pain that is experienced as a result of pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from the bottom part of your back, down your buttocks, down your thigh and to your foot. These are therefore the areas in which the pain is felt.

Other symptoms may include muscular weakness and tingling. There is a sciatic nerve on each side of your body but usually only one nerve is affected at a time. The pain can be dull and constant or severe and debilitating depending on the cause. Compression of the nerve may occur as it leaves the spinal column, or as it goes through a particular muscle or set of muscles which are in a spasm. An enlarged uterus (most commonly as a result of pregnancy) may also compress the nerve.

A cause that is occurring more often today is compression from an external object, such as low belts and hipster pants (pants that sit across your hips, not your waist). Treatment is variable, depending on the cause. In some instances surgery is required, however massage, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment and removing the cause (if external) may be useful.