Sciatica is a pain, a tingling or even a numbness that is caused by an irritation of the sciatic nerve. The nerve is formed by the nerve roots that are protruding from the spinal cord into the lower part of the back. The nerve extends into the buttock into the right or left leg and continues into the ankle and then ends in the foot. There are many causes of the pain you will be feeling. Some people feel the pain very much and it hurts a great deal and others look at it as discomfort rather than a pain. Every person is different when it comes to pain and pain tolerances.

The symptoms of sciatica will include a pain that starts in the lower or middle back and then travels down to the buttocks and the will stay all the way down the leg and into the foot. You will feel a tingling or maybe even numbness and some people will experience a weakness in their legs. You may feel these symptoms when you sit or stand for along time, also you will feel the sciatic nerve with such movements that cause the spine to flex, that may make the symptoms worse. You can try walking it off and if that doesn’t work then you can try lying down straight, anything that will straighten the spine.

Sciatica can be diagnosed with a general overview of your family history and a physical exam. You may need X rays or an MRI to determine if what you are feeling is indeed sciatica. The good news is that Sciatica is treatable; here are ways to reduce the pain. Put an ice pack or a cold pack on the back in the middle of the lower back if possible. Try not to sit so much, if you have to get up and walk around, stretch out a little. Try to alternate between lying down and walking around a little. Take a short walk, go as far as you can without feeling the pain as soon as you feel the pain, stop. Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil or Aleve would be a great relief as well.

Surgery is also an option but only in the most severe cases. Once you have the surgery you most likely be free from having this again but there is a chance that if you had Sciatica in one leg and you have the surgery that you may have it again on the other side. You can’t rule out that possibility.

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