Sciatica is the pain caused by irritation or compression of a sciatic nerve.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve of all nerves. It runs from the back of the pelvis, through buttocks, and down both legs, ending at feet. The pain of sciatica is customarily felt in buttocks and legs.

Sciatica Symptoms

  • Pain in legs and back 
  • Numbness 
  • A tingling sensation that radiates lower back and peregrinates down one of your legs to your foot and toes 
  • Weakness of the calf muscles or that muscles who move the foot and ankle 

The pain may range from mild to severe pain and may be worse by sneezing, coughing or sitting for a long period of time. People with sciatica can additionally have general back pain, the pain associated with sciatica customarily affects the buttocks and legs much more than the back.

Causes of Sciatica 

In the astronomical majority of cases, sciatica is caused by slipped disc. A slipped disc occurs when one of the discs that sit between the bones of the vertebral spine is damaged and presses nerves.

Sciatica Less prevalent causes include: 

  • Spinal stenosis – narrowing of the nerve passages in the spine 
  • Spondylolisthesis – when a vertebra slips out of position 
  • Spinal injury or infection 
  • A magnification within the spine – such as a tumor
  • Cauda equina syndrome – an infrequent but serious condition caused by compressed and damaged nerve of the spinal cord.

Sciatica Treatment

Most cases of sciatica pass in around six weeks without treatment.

However, a combination treatment does at home – such as over-the-counter analgesics, exercise, and using cold or hot packs – may reduce the symptoms until the condition gets better.

Further treatment also recommended for more serious cases, such as: 

  • Exercise program under the supervision of physiotherapist 
  • Taking more strong analgesic tablets 
  • In very rare cases, surgery may need for correct your spine

Prevention of  Sciatica

You can minimize your further episode of sciatica by: 

  • Practice a better posture techniques at work 
  • Stretching before exercise
  • Regular exercising 
  • The mattress should be firm enough to support the body while supporting the weight off shoulders and buttocks, that keep your spine straight.
  • If the mattress is too soft, place a firm board under a mattress.