Sciatica is the name given to an intense pain that starts in a person’s lower back and extends downward into the legs. Some people even feel the pain in their buttocks and feet. Symptoms and signs of sciatica vary in intensity. Some sufferers have a debilitating pain, while others feel weak or tingly. Numbness in the legs and feet is also common.
Sciatica is named after the sciatic nerve, which starts in the lower spine and extends downward into the legs and feet. Medical experts believe sciatica is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. This pressure typically comes from an existing medical problem, such as a bone spur or a herniated disk.
Pain in the lower back is the most common sign of sciatica. However, several other signs are also common. This article will provide a detailed description of the back pain and other common symptoms associated with sciatica.
1. Back Pain
The sciatic nerve is one of the largest and longest in the body, and several conditions can put pressure on it. When pressure is placed on the nerve roots in the lower back, the back pain that results is the most common sign of sciatica.
A ruptured disc in the back can cause sciatic pain. Other conditions, such as degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, can also put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause a great deal of pain. Spondylolisthesis, is a medical condition in which one back bone slides out of position. This movement of the bone can be due to a defective joint or due to a traumatic accident. People with spondylolisthesis may experience sciatic pain.
Because so many people see a doctor or chiropractor yearly for pain, back pain alone is generally not enough to signal that a person suffers from sciatica. However, back pain, along with the other symptoms listed below is generally enough for a doctor to determine if a patient suffers from sciatica. Pain from sciatica can most often be treated with over-the-counter drugs. However, sometimes physicians prescribe stronger prescription medicine for severe cases.
2. Buttocks Pain
The piriformis is a large muscle in the buttocks, and damage to the piriformis can cause pain in the buttocks. The piriformis may pinch a nerve in the buttocks or low back, which triggers pain. The pain can also travel further down to the legs and feet. As the pain travels down, the patient may feel a tingling sensation in the legs or feet. One way to relieve buttocks pain is to stretch the lower back, buttocks and legs. Physicians and physical therapists can provide a list of exercises for patients as well as advise whether or not the patient should attempt such exercises.
3. Sharp Pain
People with sciatica often describe a “shooting” or sharp pain that begins in the lower back and moves downward through the legs and feet. This sharp pain can be worsened when a person makes certain movements. For instance, standing up after sitting for an extended period may cause pain. Many people often feel sciatic pain when bending backward. Sneezing, laughing hard or even coughing can also cause pain. If the pain becomes unbearable, does not lessen within a few days, or if the patient has a pre-existing medical condition, then the patient should see a physician for a consultation.
4. Leg Numbness
Most people have felt the awkward sensation of having a leg go to sleep. The leg feels numb, but stretching and walking around generally relieve the numbing sensation. However, leg numbness in sciatica patients is different. People with sciatica may have a more intense and longer-lived numbness. These patients are unable to stretch their numb legs at all. Walking, climbing stairs and performing other daily living activities are impossible. Sometimes sciatica patients will feel a continuous numbness in the legs. This continuous numbness lowers a person’s quality of life significantly. The numbing sensation can also travel downward and into the patient’s feet.
5. Pins and Needles
The term “pins and needles” is used to describe a prickling or tingling feeling in the limbs. In people with sciatica, the pins and needles pain is generally felt in the legs. However, it can travel down to the toes. This feeling can be simply uncomfortable, or it can be more severe. Pressure on the nerves is generally the cause of the pain. However, a doctor can usually examine a patient to determine if an underlying condition, such as diabetes, is causing pins and needles. A pins and needles sensation can also be a symptom of various other conditions.
6. Burning
When pain extends from the lower back and to the legs and feet, it can cause a burning sensation. This burning may be a slight annoyance for some. In other patients, the pain is intolerable. There are a few things people can do to help alleviate some of the pain from sciatica. For instance, exercising regularly helps to keep the back and core muscles strong. Sitting on a seat with good support for the lower back can also help. By taking care of the back, a patient can minimize the risk of putting more unnecessary pressure on the nerves.
7. Weakness
Because of pain in the legs, many sciatica sufferers develop a weakness in the legs. These people may struggle to stand or walk due to weakness. Though exercise is generally recommended as a way to combat leg weakness, it is important to contact a physician before starting a new exercise regime. A physician or physical therapist can advise on which exercises are best to strengthen weak legs. Leg stretches and physical therapy may also be helpful to combat the problem. Because sciatic pain tends to affect only one side of the body, one leg may appear weaker than the other during a flare up of sciatica.
8. Foot Numbness
Patients who have foot numbness often display other symptoms, too. A tingling sensation and leg pain are common in those who have foot numbness. To determine if a patient’s foot numbness is sciatica-related, a physician must generally perform a physical exam on the patient. An MRI might also be necessary. There are several current treatments for foot pain related to sciatica. Placing a hot or a cold compress on the numbed foot could relieve the numbing sensation. Stretching exercises, chiropractic therapy and other forms of physical therapy might be recommended. Some drugs, such as steroid injections, have also been prescribed to patients in the past.
