The symptoms are often felt along the path taken by the large nerve that starts in the back. Sciatica can be characterised by any of the following:
- Sciatica is a burning or shooting pain that starts in the buttock or lower back and spreads to the front and back of the leg, foot and/or thigh.
- Sciatica can cause numbness on the back of your leg. Sometimes, tingling or weakness can also be present.
- One side symptoms. Sciatica usually affects only one leg. It is common for the affected leg to feel heavy.
- Posture-induced symptoms. Sciatica may be worsened by sitting, standing up, bending forward at the spine, twisting it, lying down and/or coughing. Walking or placing a heat pad over the area behind the pelvis can relieve symptoms.
Sciatica is pain that originates from the sciatic nerve. Complementary therapies are popular for alleviating this type of chronic pain. Find out more about Acupuncture Gloucester by visiting Purelands Acupuncture.
Sciatica: What are the main causes?
The most common cause for sciatica is herniated disks.
Sciatica describes a group of symptoms that can be caused by a medical condition such as:
- Herniated lumbar disc
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Lumbar disc degenerative disease, degenerative changes to vertebrae and discs in general
- Spondylolisthesis
- Muscle spasm or inflammation of the lumbar, pelvic and/or thigh muscles
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Sciatica can be caused by tumours, blood-clots or other conditions of the lower spine but these are rare. The terms lumbar pain or radicular ache can be used interchangeably to describe sciatica.
