Complications of the Sciatic Nerve

An irritated sciatic nerve can be a big pain in the rear end. Literally. It can also be a pain in the lower back, the legs and the feet. In extreme cases, sciatic nerve pain can be debilitating, but there are many things people can do to improve their discomfort.

Significance

• The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It consists of nerve roots found in the spinal cord. The nerve runs from a person's lower back, through the buttocks, extending down the back of the legs to the feet. If the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, a pain called sciatica can occur. Sciatica is caused by pressure against the nerve roots. Whether or not a person has sciatica is usually determined by a doctor. Sometimes X-rays or MRIs are required to determine a diagnosis.

Symptoms

• How do you now if you have an irritated sciatic nerve? Symptoms include shooting pain down the length of the back of the leg, sometimes extending to the foot. Weakness, numbness or a burning sensation such as a pins and needles feeling may also indicate that a person has sciatica.

Causes

• Back injures, herniated discs, tight hamstrings and buttocks can cause sciatica. Pressure from coughing or bowel movements, pregnancy or frequently lifting heavy objects can also irritate the sciatic nerve and cause pain. If you already have sciatica, sitting or standing for long periods of time can further irritate the nerve. Certain exercises that curl the spine, such as knee to chest exercises and curl-ups can also increase pain.

Prevention/Solution

• Sciatica often goes away or improves on its own, but there are several ways people can speed up their own pain relief. Applying hot or cold compresses to the irritated area can reduce sciatica symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol and ibuprofen can also help. Walking, lying down and other activities that help promote good posture have also been shown to reduce sciatic nerve pain.

Expert Insight

• If at-home solutions are not effective, sciatic sufferers should visit a medical expert, such as a sports doctor. Alternative treatments for sciatica include physical therapy, steroid injections and possibly even surgery in extreme cases. Surgeons may be able to remove whatever is irritating the sciatic nerve, such as a herniated disc.
  In milder cases, experts recommend stretching the lower body to keep the muscles from getting too tight. This includes the back, buttocks, hamstrings, iliotibial bands (fibers along the outside of the thigh and gluteal muscle) and calves. This may prevent further pain.