Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels along the buttocks and down each legs. Aside from pain, you may also experience tingling or numbness in your back or butt that may also radiate down to your leg. Your sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in your body and despite its name, is not just one nerve but actually a bundle of nerves. 

You have two sciatic nerves running down each side of your body, from your hip to your buttock. They each go down one leg and reach just below your knee. Sciatica could vary from mild to severe pain and symptoms could affect your lower back, hips, buttocks or legs. Some symptoms could extend as far down as your feet or toes, depending on the nerves affected. 

What are the symptoms of Sciatica?

Common symptoms of sciatica include:

Pain: Pain happens due to pressure placed on the affected nerve. Most people describe sciatica pain as a burning or electric shock. The pain often shoots or radiates down the leg on the affected side. 

Tingling or numbness: It may feel similar to when your leg "falls asleep" or you may be unable to feel sensations on the skin in the afffected areas of your back or leg. 

Muscle weakness: A more severe symptom of sciatica, it happens when muscle signals have trouble reaching your back or legs. 

Urinary or fecal incontinence: Another severe symptom of sciatica.

If you are experiencing severe pain, or it last for more than a few weeks and is accompanied by other symptoms like sudden numbness, weakness in the leg or difficu

What causes Sciatica?

Sciatica can happen due to conditions that affect the sciatic nerve. Some conditions that may cause sciatica include: 

• Degenerative disk disease
• Herniated disks
• Osteoarthritis
• Pregnancy
• Spondylolisthesis
• Tumors, cysts or other growths

What are the risk factors for sciatica?

Sciatica happens for many reasons, with many potential risk factors that may include:

• Injuries: A past or current injury to your spine or lower back increases your risk of developing sciatica.
• Normal wear-and-tear: As you age, normal wear-and-tear on your spine can lead to pinched nerves, herniated disks and other conditions that may cause sciatica.
• Excess weight or obesity: The more weight you have, the more your back muscles have to work when you stand upright. This can lead to back strains, pain and other issues. 
• Insufficient core strength: Your 'core' refers to the group of muscles at your back and abdominal area. A strong core means your body will be able to better able to handle heavy loads. 
• Occupational hazards: Jobs that require heavy lifting, a lot of bending, working in awkward or unusual positions may increase your risk of low back problems. Jobs that require prolonged sitting, especially without proper lumbar support, may also increase your risk of lower back problems.

How do you prevent Sciatica?

It's not always possible to prevent sciatica and it can come back. Some steps you can take to protect your back include:

• Exercise regularly: To keep your back strong and work on your core muscles that are needed for good posture and alignment 
• Practice good posture: Choose a seat with proper lumbar support. If there isn't one, you can place a pillow or rolled towel in the small of the back to keeps its normal curve. 
• Use your body correctly: If you have to stand for a long period of time, rest one foot on a stool or small box occassionally. When lifting something heavy, let your leg muscles do the work instead of your back.

How is Sciatica diagnosed?

Imaging Test
If your pain persists for a long period, your healthcare provider may ask for an X-Ray, MRI, or CT scan to observe for mechanical changes in your spne or to detect herniated disks and pinched nerves. 

Electromyography (EMG)
EMG measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the muscles' response.