by Brenda Schmitt

Created on: October 13, 2009   Last Updated: October 14, 2009

The sciatic nerve is a large nerve running from the spine down the back of the leg. It is actually composed several smaller nerves that leave the spine on the starting at the level of L4 or L5 and extend down to S2 or S3, which later join together to form the sciatic nerve. It is a large nerve which is approximately the diameter of a person's thumb. The sciatic nerve supplies function to the back muscles of the leg down to the foot as well as providing sensation to all the skin of the leg.

Sciatica is a symptom of the compression of some part of the sciatic nerve; generally the smaller nerves starting at the spine which results in pain in the hip, or leg with numbness and tingling sometimes also being present. The pain is usually unilateral though it can occasionally run down both legs and is described as cramping, sharp and or burning in nature, shooting down the leg often to the foot. Sciatic pain may be made worse by squatting, coughing, sneezing, sitting, or standing for prolonged periods.

Treatment of sciatica involves discovering the underlying cause of nerve compression and treating this appropriately. Treatment may include hot and cold modalities, anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprophen or Naproxen. Epidural steroid injections may be used to inject steroids directly into the inflamed area. You may be referred to a physical therapist for a course of physical therapy. Stretching and strengthening exercises, massage, ultrasound and electrical stimulation may be used. The goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation of the nerve.

Surgical treatment is sometimes recommended if your sciatica is caused by a bulging or prolapsed spinal disc and doesn't respond to a course of more conservative treatment. Surgeries sometimes used include microdiscectomies and laminectomies. If surgery is being considered your doctor will probably order an MRI to diagnosis the exact level of the spine affected. Most doctors will want to exhaust all conservative methods before considering surgical intervention.

Sciatica will often improve over time without any intervention and studies have shown little difference in improvement measured by decreased levels of pain between those who had surgery and those who did not. However, if the nerve is being impinged and damaged resulting in loss of muscle mass or function surgery may be needed. It's important to realize, however, a decrease in pain may not result even if preservation of functionality does. Regular aerobic exercise, gentle stretching routines such as yoga, and core strengthening exercises can help decrease the recurrence of sciatica over time. Working toward a normal weight, stopping smoking and improving nutrition can all help you make your body and your back healthier and decrease occurrence of sciatica.

This article is meant to be informational and is not to be taken as medical advice. For questions regarding your medical care consult with your doctor.

Sources:

www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/sciatica-tr eatment-chiro-3103.html

http://www.cure-back-pain.org/sciatic-nerve-treatmen t.html

http://www.mountsinai.org/Other/Diseases/Sciatica?is Accessible=true

http://www.neurodynamicsolutions.com/solutions-clini cal-SCIE.php

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