Sciatica is a common term used to describe radiating pain down the legs that is caused by a nerve problem in the low back (lumbar spine). The name comes from the large sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the leg. Sciatica (sciatic nerve pain) is normally experienced in combination with lower back pain but may be present without any accompanying back pain. The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the body. There is a left and a right sciatic nerve runs from the sacral region in the spine down the back of both legs. There are numerous other nerves that branch off the sciatic nerve, serving both sensory and motor functions of the buttocks, legs and feet.

The medical term for sciatica is spinal radiculopathy. This occurs when there is some problem in the lower lumbar spine such as inflammation and/or a bulging disc that is compressing one or more of the spinal nerve roots. These nerve roots subsequently combine to form the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the leg.

Compression of a nerve root as is what causes the pain to radiate down the leg. This is often referred to as a pinched nerve. The symptoms of a pinched nerve can range from a persistent dull ache in the buttocks or back of the leg to lightening sharp pain that shoots down the leg to the knee and sometimes all the way to the foot. The lower down the leg the pain goes the worse the nerve compression is. That is why many physicians ask their patients if the pain extends below the knee.

There are two other conditions that can cause leg pain that are often mistaken for true sciatic nerve pain:

• Piriformis Syndrome
• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Treatment for Sciatica

Sciatica is most effectively treated with physical therapy. Physical therapy for sciatica includes the use of massage to loosen up the muscles in the back, hips and legs. This helps restore natural range of motion to the lower back and hip joints. Restoring normal low back and hip mechanics goes a long way to eliminating many of the causes of nerve root irritation that result in sciatica.

Like many other lower back problems sciatica is generally the result of persistent inflammation of the discs, ligaments and soft tissues in and around the spinal nerve roots.

Once normal range of motion is restored to the hips and low back the restricted movements of the spine and hips no longer irritate these structures and the pain subsides.

Stretching and strengthening of the lower back, abdominals and core muscles are also used to improve the mechanics of the spine and prevent any recurrence of the sciatica.

Other treatments for sciatica:

* Chiropractic

* Acupuncture

* Cortisone injections