Sciatica refers to moderate to severe pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve route. This nerve branches through your hips and buttocks and down each leg from your lower back. Sciatica generally affects one side of your body and most commonly occurs when part of the nerve is compressed by spinal narrowing (spinal stenosis), herniated disk, or bone spur on the spine. It causes the affected leg to become inflamed, sore, and numb.
Although there may be severe pain associated with sciatica, most cases resolve in a few weeks with non-operative treatments. People with severe sciatica related to significant weakness in the legs or changes in the bowel or bladder may be candidates for surgery.
1Common Symptoms of sciatica
Lower Back Pain
The first common symptom reported by people with sciatica is often a pain in the lower back. They can describe it as deep and tingling or radiating. In more than 90 percent of cases, herniation of the spinal disk pressing on the sciatic nerve is the cause of this sensation. Treatment also requires pain medications for this condition. Most of the time, without further medical intervention, the disease will cure itself.
