“Sciatica” is a term in reference to symptoms experienced when there is a compression or irritation involving the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is comprised of 5 nerve roots stemming from the spinal cord. The nerve starts in the lower back, goes through the buttocks and down the back of each leg. Sciatic symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness and sometimes weakness. Usually symptoms are only experienced on one side of the body. These symptoms are provoked when the nerve is being compressed or irritated. There are multiple causes of sciatica . The most common cause is from a disc herniation. The disc compresses the nerve root where it exits the spine. When the nerve is compressed it causes a referring pain down the sciatic nerve. This is referred to as a radiculopathy (sciatica caused by compression of the sciatic nerve at the nerve root, where it exits the spine). Some of the other causes include spinal stenosis (narrowing of where the nerve roots exit), spondylolisthesis (where one vertebra slips forward over another one), degenerative disc disease (breakdown of disc), piriformis syndrome (the muscle tightens up or goes into spasms and pinches the sciatic nerve), trigger points, and pregnancy. Treatment and symptoms differ based on the underlying cause. If you are experiencing sciatic symptoms, make sure to discuss this with your doctor. Physical therapy may be an appropriate means of treatment to correct the problem.
