Take Charge of Your Health - Sciatica: Of All The Nerve!

You know you are getting older when your back goes out more than you do.
-Phyllis Diller

Many of us have suffered through the pain of sciatica shooting down our leg(s), causing an inability to get comfortable, or even to sleep. It turns out the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in our body, so it is no wonder that when it is irritated, we know about it. The sciatic nerve controls the muscles in the back of our knees and lower legs and provides feeling to the back of our thighs, part of our lower legs and the soles of our feet. 

Often the pain caused by the sciatic nerve can appear as either a burning sensation or a shooting pain starting in the lower back and extending down the leg to the foot. Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling can also be experienced. Generally, sciatica only affects one side of the body at a time.

The causes of sciatica are varied though most cases are caused by a ruptured intervertebral disk, which is also called a herniated disk. These disks are the soft, pillow-like structures that act as cushions between the 26 bony vertebrae in the spine that allow our backbone to flex and move. When the disks weaken or rupture, the jelly-like center pushes out into the disk and irritates the local nerves. This can occur either from a single excessive strain or just by the natural degeneration of disks that occurs as a result of aging. Spinal stenosis or the narrowing and hardening of the spinal canal can also cause sciatic as can a pelvic fracture. Sciatica does not have its own diagnosis but is a result of another disease or injury. 

Risk factors for sciatica include age, obesity (excess body weight increases stress on the back) , prolonged sitting, and diabetes (which increases the risk of nerve damage).

While most sciatic pain dissipates over time with rest and OTC pain relievers, you should check with a physician if the pain is severe, lasts more than a week, or becomes progressively worse. Healthline suggests the following exercises to help reduce sciatic tension.

As always, join us on the Health-E³ website blog page. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences. Feel free to ask questions about anything on the website or suggest ideas for additional helpful information. And remember, it's up to you to Take Charge of Your Health.