Tingling, burning, excruciating pain. That is how some people describe sciatica.
This type of pain is characterized as being caused by a spine-related issue which then spreads pain throughout the lower part of the body.
Individuals may experience sciatica anywhere from their lower back all the way down to their ankles.
The pain is derived from one of several pinched nerve situations including a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
As the spine of the human body is also the source of numerous nerves that control different movements in all parts of the body, it is easy to understand why sciatica is a result of the pinched nerve.
Individuals have many different questions about sciatica including:
- What are the symptoms of sciatica?
- What causes sciatica?
- Can sciatica affect both legs?
- What can I do to stop the pain?
The symptoms of sciatica can vary from person to person. It typically starts with a sharp pain in the lower back.
A continued movement may further pinch the nerve and cause additional pain in the body. This pain can be intermittent or continuous, feel dull or excruciating, lead to numbness or lead to a burning sensation.
The way that an individual perceives the pain will have a lot to do with the medical condition which is causing sciatica as well as their own personal pain tolerance.
It is recommended that individuals seek medical attention as soon as they realize that pain in the lower region of their body is stemming from their lumbar region.
This is large because, if gone untreated, the cause of your sciatica can also lead to an inability to move your legs, feet, or extreme numbness.
The cause of sciatica is traditionally an underlying spinal condition. The causes of these conditions are what is important.
Herniated discs and pinched nerves commonly happen in individuals who do not get enough exercise. Their bodies become stiff and struggle to move.
When they make fast movements such as twisting their back quickly or abruptly standing up, it is possible that they will pinch a nerve.
These medical conditions are also more common in individuals who are overweight. However, there is not true biased in who these conditions will affect.
Physically fit people are equivalently prone to developing spinal related injuries that lead to sciatica.
The most unfortunate part about sciatica is that it can be worsened or triggered by the most insignificant activities.
For example, if someone tie-ins their back too much during a sneeze or a cough then it might trigger a pinched nerve which leads to sciatica.
Just the same, as we continue to grow older and our bodies are less agile, a movement as simple as getting up from a chair might trigger sciatica.
Sciatica is more than just back pain. We use the term back pain as a general category for a variety of things that we might feel including a pulled or strained muscle.
Sciatica is specifically assigned to the type of pain that has a severe underlying cause.
Many people will try basic options for handling the pain such as taking painkillers or using muscle relaxing cream.
However, these cannot resolve the issue of sciatica. In extreme cases, the pinched nerve can prevent proper blood flow to certain parts of the lower body.
As a result, this part of the body may go numb or experience a tingling sensation. It is entirely possible for sciatica to affect both legs.
Once again, this will depend on which nerve is pinched in the spinal area and to what extent.
Individuals have stated that they experience everything from partial numbness to complete numbness of their lower limbs during severe bouts of sciatica.
The first step in treating sciatica is to see a physician. Your primary care physician will likely refer you to a chiropractor who can best assess your lumbar region and determine what is causing the pain.
Depending on the severity of the problem, you may need to undergo surgery for sciatica relief. Addressing the underlying issue is crucial.
If you fail to tackle the cause of your sciatica, it will be impossible to overcome. In most cases, however, sciatica is the cause of a pinched nerve.
This can be relieved through a spinal adjustment or through basic exercises competed at home. With the help of your physician, it is possible to create the right treatment plan for your sciatica and your lifestyle.
There are several different factors in the prevention of sciatica. The first is to increase exercise to help boost the flexibility of your body.
Low impact activities such as swimming, walking, and yoga have the ability to provide just enough movement and liberation of the spinal region to minimize the risk of sciatica.
A change in your lifestyle is also important. If you happen to have a job that has you sitting for long periods of time such as working at an office or driving a vehicle, that it is important you start to take small breaks to stretch your body.
The more limber you keep your spinal region, the less likely you are to develop sciatica.
Some natural solutions to handling sciatica also involved adding supplements and making changes to your diet.
Keep in mind that one of the most vital parts of a well-functioning human body is the nutrients which it receives.
Antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin are all an essential part of keeping your joints limber, lubricated, and functioning well.
These can be derived from a daily multivitamin, adding supplements to your diet, or changing the foods you eat to include more dark leafy greens and berries.
Lastly, individuals who have often asked – can sciatica affect both legs – have found themselves turning to the age-old practice of yoga for relief and prevention.
A gentle yoga practice will help any individual, regardless of weight or age, experience the right kind of stretching to alleviate pinched nerves and keep the spine limber and free from future incidents.