Sciatic Nerve and Back Pain

A pinched sciatic nerve causes considerable pain in the lower back, hip,buttocks and leg. Sciatica most often occurs in people aged 30 to 50 years old. It is often not caused by a singular event or injury. The good news is that sciatic nerve problems are usually resolved without surgery.

Causes

• Sciatica is not the name of an actual condition. It is the name of symptoms caused by a lower-back problem. A herniated disc presses on a root of the sciatic nerve. The pain that radiates down the leg is often worse than the back pain.

Symptoms

• Sciatica usually only affects one side of the body, according to Spine Health.com. The pain often travels from the lower back down the back of the thigh and leg. A patient may have foot or toe pain depending on where the sciatic nerve is pinched. Sometimes, the leg pain is worse than the back pain. Back pain sometimes disappears. Rare symptoms include weakness or diminished bowel or bladder function.

Diagnosis

• Doctors often try to replicate the patient's discomfort in certain positions and with certain motions. The doctor moves a patient's legs so that the sciatic nerve is stretched. If it hurts, the likely cause is an irritated sciatic nerve. X-rays and an MRI can often determine the cause of the irritation.

Treatment

• Conservative treatment usually works in the vast majority of cases. Acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help reduce swelling and pain. Oral steroids are sometimes prescribed by doctors if those do not reduce inflammation enough. Avoiding sitting can help alleviate the pain. Other treatment options include physical therapy, stretching exercises and surgery. Chiropractic care and acupuncture are also used by some people.

Prevention/Solution

• Exercises that stretch the piriformis muscle, a little muscle in the buttocks, the lower back and hamstrings can reduce pain and help prevent flair-ups. Exercises that strengthen the core muscles in the abdomen, pelvis and back also help, according to Back.com.