Sciatica, a.k.a. Lumbar Radiculopathy, is the pain that begins in one of the buttocks, and moves and radiates to the hip, into the thigh, and possibly lower down the leg. This could be caused by anything from pressure exerted upon, to injury or irritation of a nerve called the Sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerves originate from the lower end of the spinal cord and extend into either leg. It is the longest and thickest found nerve in the human body.
Sciatica pain can begin when the lumbar spines or discs pinch the sciatic nerve. In this case, pain begins more commonly in the hip. So, although the term ‘sciatica’ was in use even in the mid-1400s, the term ‘lumbar radiculopathy’ is also used.
Other Causes:
Other ways sciatica can begin include arthritis, displaced or slipped disk (disk hernia) in the lower spine, irritation of the roots of the lumbar and lumbosacral spine (i.e., the spines starting from the waist to the ones just above the tailbone. The condition called degenerative disk disease, which deteriorates the disks, or vertebral cushions can also lead to sciatica.
– Smoking: If you notice, there are a number of causes of sciatica that involve damage to the spine. Smoking brings down the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, and with time, damages the spine too.
– Bodyweight: Increased body weight would put the spinal cord at risk, while also straining the hips, buttocks, and thighs, therefore pressuring the sciatic nerve.
– Workplace environment: If a person’s work demands them to stand or sit for too long, lift weights, or in any way put the sciatic nerve under pressure, then the risk for sciatica increases.
– Exercise and sports: A person exercising sans expert supervision can easily put the spine and sciatic nerve under pressure, or in bad orientation.
– Age: Aging tends to deteriorate bone health as such, alongside spinal health.
Sciatica is common in adults between 18 and 59 years of age. Although many sources state that sciatica is more common in males, they fail to see that there are more risk factors and special cases leaving women prone to the condition.
Symptoms:
Sciatica can start off as a sudden shooting pain following strenuous physical activities such as lifting something heavy. But its onset can be gradual too. The pain usually is limited to one side of the lower body, and an episode lasts only about 6 weeks.
The classic symptoms of sciatica include:
– shooting pain that starts in one of the hips or buttocks
– pain may go down the back, outside, or front of the leg to the knee, even up to the foot
– the pain may move slowly, shoot down, or radiate from a point
– pain is along the sciatic nerve, i.e.,
(if you have an idea of the path of the sciatic nerve, you can make sure)
– persistent, constant pain, weakness of the affected parts, numbness or difficulty while moving the leg
Most of these symptoms help distinguish sciatica from arthritis and several other conditions. Other symptoms that may accompany these signs are:
– lower back pain
– pain that is worse when sitting
– pronated Foot Sciatica or Flat-footedness, also called fallen arches
– pain that is soothed or goes away temporarily with hot packs, cold packs, or stretching
– an episode that does not last longer than 6 weeks
– inflammation may occur
Although these signs may indicate sciatica, only the shooting, radiating pain along the sciatic nerve is a telltale sign. So, you might need an expert diagnosis to be sure, and you can never be too sure.
Diagnosis:
Your physician might be able to diagnose you, but a neurologist or orthopedist may need to have a look in some cases. Some people might also go to the orthopedist or chiropractic directly, suspecting muscular or bone problems.
– Diagnosis may include a physical examination to check muscle strength and reflexes and bone and joint functioning.
– Your doctor may ask you to get an X-ray of your affected lower side. This is supposed to rule out bone conditions that may not cause sciatica, and an overgrowing bone that is pressing against the sciatic nerve, hence causing the condition.
– A leg-lift technique is also common, and pain that shoots down the knee during this simple procedure can indicate sciatica.
– An MRI or CT Scan of the spine will provide a detailed image of bone and herniated disks.
– Electromyography (EMG) test can confirm nerve compression caused by herniated disks or narrowing of the spinal canal.
Treatment:
(i) Medications:
– basic Pain-relief (Analgesic) drugs and Anti-inflammatories like Aspirin and Diclofenac.
– Muscle relaxants, e.g., Carisoprodol and Tizanidine
– Narcotics (for severe, persistent pain), Codeine, Hydrocodone, or Oxycodone.
– Tricyclic antidepressants (for psychosomatic sciatica) include Amoxapine, Desipramine, and Trimipramine.
– Anti-seizure medications
– Steroid Injections, again, for severe cases.
(ii) Physical therapy and the help of a chiropractor, if recommended by your doctor after examinations.
(iii) Counseling and moral support in case of psychosomatic sciatica
Just about any case and sciatica are curable and a patient can be helped through medications, awareness, and mental support. Sciatica is nothing to worry about, does not last long, and can be treated.
But then you can avoid sciatica through some very simple preventive measures too.
How to avoid the onset of Sciatica:
(i) Practice good posture: Your posture while sitting, standing, lifting objects, and sleeping is one of the clinchers. Bad posture can directly injure, put pressure on, or irritate the sciatic nerve, while good posture will promote a healthy flow of blood. You may bear in mind that soreness and stiffness can be associated with bad posture at any time or occasion. Blood vessels and nerves work the best when aligned well.
(ii) Saturated fats and Magnesium-rich foods are said to prevent and improve the condition. Dairy products (yogurt, for example), seafood (especially fish such as Halibut and seaweed such as dulse), brown rice, dried pumpkin seeds, apples, apricots, avocado, dried figs, bananas, lima beans, black beans, spinach, Swiss chard, dark chocolate, etc. may help; and generally, are healthy, innately.
(iii) Avoid smoking:
Smoking decreases the oxygen in the blood, and thus weakens the spine and the vertebral disks. This in turn puts more stress on the spine and disks and can cause sciatica.
(iv) Maintaining healthy body weight and staying active:
Not only can bodyweight press onto the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica; the condition also puts a lot of strain on the spinal column, directly causing lumbar radiculopathy. A healthy weight and waistline that suits your height and age bring down your chance for sciatica considerably.
The less discussed Sciatica in women:
Women have more factors that cause the onset of sciatica in them. But these prospects are not discussed well enough.
(i) Weight gain associated with pregnancy:
Pregnancy usually shoots up the weight of any woman, for obvious reasons like the growth of the baby, and other reasons like hormone surges, lack of activity, and pregnancy-related conditions. Reason or no reason; pregnancy strains the sciatic nerve and can cause sciatica.
(ii) Other weight-gain conditions – PCOS and Menopause:
Menopause, hormonal imbalances, PCOS, etc. can also cause weight gain and obesity, and thereby, sciatica.
(iii) Postpartum Sciatica Syndrome and Structural Postpartum Sciatica Syndrome:
The days after having given birth can be difficult. Even maintaining good posture is difficult, making them prone to sciatica. Any trauma imparted to the sciatic nerve, spines, or other body parts can also prove to be risky.
(iv) Mindbody Postpartum Sciatica – Psychosomatic Sciatica:
The psychological turmoil and bedlam associated with pregnancy hormones can lead the mind into aggravating the issues the body is going through.
It may be noted that although pregnancy hormones loosen up some ligaments and thus cause back pain, it does not in any way increase the risk of sciatica onset. But then, if the weight of the fetus presses against the nerve too much (sitting) or affects the disk, then it can cause sciatica and can be severe.
The fact that Sciatica in women is not discussed well enough is surprising, given that sciatica occurs to women in sensitive and difficult times such as pregnancy, delivery, post-delivery, and menopause. These are also times of weight gain and emotional stress; while being times when women require the most care and attention to avoid serious health issues in the future.
This may be attributed to the fact that sciatica in men is sudden and causes panic. In women, the onset in the discussed conditions is relatively gradual, and looked over, because of the other variety of symptoms that accompany the conditions.
That being said, to lesser cases of Sciatica – amongst all ages and groups.
Great info!
Great info! I recently came across your blog and have been reading along