Having a basic understanding of the most common sciatica causes is a good way to help try and minimize the likelihood that you’ll ever have to deal with the condition. However, before we can get into a frank discussion about the causes and risk factors associated with this irksome condition, it is first important to have a basic understanding of what sciatica actually is.

Sciatica is one of those words that is often thrown around colloquially to encompass a litany of symptoms in the lower half of the body. However, technically speaking, sciatica is a condition that develops as a direct result to the compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the largest and widest in the body and is vitally important in regular movement. Beginning at the base of the spinal cord in the lower back (lumbar spine), the sciatic nerve extends downward through the buttocks, hips, legs, and knees, before culminating in the feet near the toes. And while sciatic can conceivably develop anywhere along the sciatic nerve, it is without a question most commonly traced to a problem within the spinal column.

The problem that some people have with the lumbar spine is that this region of the spinal column has the burden of supporting the majority of the body’s weight and is also highly flexible. As a result, wear and tear tends to take its toll on the spine and injuries to the lower back are extremely common. Over the years, the intervertebral discs that cushion the spine wear out and rupture, the vertebral joints that connect adjacent vertebrae become arthritic, ligaments calcify, osteophytes develop, and muscles weaken. This is all entirely normal, but when any of these changes result in the irritation of the sciatic nerve, the symptoms of sciatica develop.

One of the hard parts about diagnosing this condition is that sciatica causes all sorts of sensations to be experienced depending on the location and severity of the problem. It’s true that most people associate sciatica with chronic leg pain, this is just one example of the symptoms that can arise as a result of this nerve irritation. What’s more, sciatic often causes symptoms to develop far away from the origin of the problem, which can further complicate the diagnosis and treatment process. For instance, if you suddenly notice numbness or tingling in one of your feet, you might not immediately assume that the cause of the issue is in the lower back. As a result, all too often patients waste time trying to treat the symptom and not the underlying cause of the issue.

What’s more, it is important to remember that sciatica isn’t a condition in and of itself that can be treated. Instead, it is incumbent on the doctor to determine the cause of the sciatic nerve compression in order to identify the specific course of treatment that will give you the best chance of overcoming your discomfort. Treatment options vary widely from patient to patient but in most cases a regimen of conservative, nonsurgical techniques, such as stretching exercises, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and hot/cold therapy deliver the results that the patient needs.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures to treat the symptoms that sciatica causes.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures to treat the symptoms that sciatica causes. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/sciatica_sciatic_nerve_pain/sciatica_causes/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures to treat the symptoms that sciatica causes.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: sciatica causes