Published in December 13th, 2009
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Sciatica is a very painful condition, and it is also one of the most common causes of debilitating pain. The main symptom of sciatica is an intense pain down the back of one leg, often right from the buttocks down to the calf, and sometimes even into the foot. A feeling of tingling or numbness often accompanies the pain, and it can be difficult to walk. Sciatica pain can be very persistent. Some people experience sciatic pain for months or even years.
In fact sciatica is a symptom of a spinal problem rather than a medical condition related to the leg. It is caused when the sciatic nerve – a long nerve that runs from the back down into the legs – is compressed or pinched in the vertebrae. Most commonly this occurs when there is a hernia between the spinal discs in the lower vertebrae. The discs may become herniated when lifting something heavy, especially from an awkward angle. Falling heavily so as to compress the spine is another common cause.
A hernia between the spinal discs occurs when the relatively soft cartilage that separates the discs is squeezed out of its normal position. The sciatic nerve running up the spine may then be compressed between the displaced disks.
A herniated disc will usually repair within 6-8 weeks, and there are few practical treatments to speed up the natural resolution of the problem. In some cases natural repair may take much longer if the cause of the damage is long-term wear or age, or the damage is severe. A surgical intervention may be required if the body is unable to heal itself. The appropriate treatment will vary between individuals, and medical advice is always recommended.
With such a lengthy expected repair period, most sciatica sufferers are faced with at least one to two months of ongoing pain.
The most common medications prescribed for sciatica pain relief are anti-inflammatory and pain medications such as NSAIDs, paracetamol, codeine and oral steroids. In more serious cases an epidural steroid injection may be used to give relief. Narcotic pain relief may be resorted to in severe cases.
None of these pain relief medications address the root cause of the sciatica pain, but are a way of managing the debilitating symptoms while the damage in the vertebrae repairs.
Alternative treatments for sciatica pain include heat or ice packs, a hot bath, physical manipulation and massage therapy. Some people seek pain relief through acupuncture.
While it is tempting for the patient to deal with the pain by remaining bedridden or otherwise inactive, this may only delay the process of repair in the vertebrae. In most cases medical advisers will recommend that sciatica sufferers try to remain active and in work in spite of the pain.
Strengthening and stretching exercises are usually recommended, and those who can cope with aerobic exercises (e.g. walking, running, cycling or swimming) should remain as active as they can while managing the pain. However, heavy lifting is usually not recommended during the healing process.
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