SCIATICA is the Latin word for "Pain down the back of
the leg" Sciatica is referred
pain usually caused by trapping the sciatic nerve in the
lower back. See back pain.
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower
back down through the buttocks and along the back of each
leg. Sciatica is pain along this nerve and is a relatively
common form of back pain and is usually caused by pressure
on the sciatic nerve from a herniated or bulging disc. The
pain from sciatica can be anything from infrequent and irritating
to severe and debilitating. Usually, it affects only one side,
the pain radiating through the buttock and down the leg and
is often associated with a constant pain on one side of the
buttocks, pain in the leg and/or buttock that may be worse
when sitting , burning or tingling down the leg, weakness,
numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot or a shooting
pain that makes it difficult to stand up. While sciatica can
be extremely painful and uncomfortable, it is rare that permanent
nerve damage (tissue damage) results. Most pain is due to
inflammation and will improve within a period of time. Nerve
pain is caused by a combination of pressure and inflammation
on the nerve root, and treatment is centred on relieving both
of these conditions.
TREATMENT
Treatment for sciatica follows the lines of treatment for
a slipped disc.
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