What You Might Not Know About Sciatica

Back pain can interrupt your ability to take part in daily activities, enjoy a good night’s sleep, stay healthy, or perform your work duties. But, this pain can be especially worrisome and impactful when it radiates down into the side of your back and leg. This condition is called sciatica. Holmdel sciatica causes pain that results from the compression of a piece of spinal disc or bone with the sciatic nerve, causing nerve inflammation and irritation. Here’s what you should know about sciatica:

It Is Not Typical Back Pain

Pain associated with sciatica is not typical back pain. Often, lower back pain is caused by an injury or strain to the ligaments and muscles that support the back. This type of pain is experienced by the muscles next to the spine and the buttocks. 

Back pain can occur and disappear for many reasons; however, when it radiates down the backside and leg, it is sciatic pain. Irritation to the nerves in your sciatic nerve can cause the pain to travel down your sciatic nerve, often through your buttocks and down to your leg’s back part. 

You Must Avoid Certain Movements and Positions If You Have Sciatica

Irritated or inflamed sciatica because of a herniated disc can cause pain that tends to get worse when you sit. The reason is that sitting puts pressure on your disc, which pushes out a bit more. Also, sciatic pain can get worse with heavy lifting and coughing. 

There Are Ways to Ease Your Pain

Sciatic pain can be relieved by taking anti-inflammatory medications. If your herniated disc leaks out, these medications can help relieve your symptoms. Also, your doctor may prescribe steroid medication to lower the inflammatory response, alleviating the pain. 

In addition, you can ease your sciatic pain with relative rest. This means resting for one or two days but being up and stretching the leg. Your doctor may recommend performing nerve gliding exercises to keep your nerve moving. 

You Should See a Doctor When You Experience Serious Pain

A herniated disc can result in sciatic pain; however, the herniation may go away on its own, and conservative care may help. Sometimes, you may need more treatment for your sciatic pain, especially if you experience weakness in the leg, bilateral symptoms, and numbness beyond pain. An issue can get permanent if you leave a big herniated disc untreated. In some cases, a big hernia can compromise your bladder and bowel function.