What is sciatica? - Visitor's Health Channel

What is sciatica?

Contents Overview Symptoms and Causes Diagnosis and Tests Management and Treatment Prevention Outlook / Prognosis Living With Additional Common Questions Contents Overview Symptoms and Causes Diagnosis and Tests Management and Treatment Prevention Outlook / Prognosis Living With Additional Common Questions Overview Sciatica symptoms can affect your lower back, butt and legs. Pressure on the spinal cord or nerves is often the cause. Sciatica symptoms can affect your lower back, butt and legs. Pressure on the spinal cord or nerves is often the cause. What is sciatica? Sciatica is nerve pain from an injury or irritation to your sciatic nerve. In addition to pain, it can involve tingling or numbness in your back or butt that may also radiate down your leg. More severe symptoms are also possible. Your sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in your body. It’s up to 2 centimeters wide (a U.S. penny or a United Kingdom 1 pence coin are about the same width). Despite its name, it’s not just one nerve. It’s actually a bundle of nerves that come from five nerve roots branching off from your spinal cord.

Sciatica treatment focuses on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and addressing the underlying cause, typically through conservative measures. Most cases improve with physical therapy, including stretching, core-strengthening, and low-impact exercises like walking or swimming, alongside over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen) or prescribed medications like muscle relaxants or nerve pain drugs. Hot and cold therapy, proper posture, and activity modification (avoiding prolonged sitting or heavy lifting) can alleviate symptoms, while chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage may provide additional relief. For persistent or severe cases, corticosteroid injections offer temporary pain reduction, and surgery (e.g., microdiscectomy or laminectomy) may be considered if symptoms last beyond 6-12 weeks or involve significant weakness or loss of bladder/bowel control. Always consult a healthcare provider for a tailored plan, especially if symptoms worsen or persist.