What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, stretching from the lower back down to the buttock, hamstring and lower legs. Sciatica refers to pain in the sciatic nerve that is caused either by a pinched nerve or irritation. There are back supports which reduce or help the healing process for back pain.
What causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that most commonly appears alongside another injury or condition. The pain in the sciatic nerve is usually caused by a pinched nerve. Although the cause of the pinched nerve can be concluded from a number of factors. The most common causes of sciatica are:
- Ruptured disc also known as a herniated/slipped disc
- Bone spurs growths that can come into contact with spinal nerves causing irritation
- Spinal stenosis: a condition that can cause the spine to narrow and compress the nerves in the spine
- Aging/spine degeneration
In the unlikely event, there is a more serious condition that may cause sciatica and back pain:
- Spinal tumours that come into contact with nerves – spinal tumours might also cause other symptoms such as loss of bladder or bowel control and pain/numbness in the legs
Symptoms of Sciatica:
The pain caused by sciatica varies from person to person. It is important to verify whether the symptoms are being caused by sciatica primarily or whether they point to other contributing factors.
Symptoms may be singled out or a combination of each other:
- Dull or sharp pains present in the legs or buttocks when sitting down
- This pain can be present from the buttocks down to the hamstrings and calf
- Pins and needles in around the buttocks down to the lower leg
- Legs and/or feet muscles may feel weaker or numb
If either of the above symptoms are present it is important that you seek medical advice as soon as possible. If left untreated, the symptoms of sciatica can lead to nerve damage and the symptoms can become permanent.
Treatments for Sciatica:
Sciatica may seem like a minor injury or annoying pain at first but it is a serious condition that must be treated promptly. Speak to your local doctor if you think you are experiencing symptoms of sciatica. Your doctor or physiotherapist will be able to prescribe you with the right treatments to get your back fit and healthy again.
Better Braces takes your health seriously, if your doctor advises you to use back supports for sports or your daily activities seek advice from our Brace Advisor to find the correct lumbar support for you. With our price match and 30 day money back guarantee you can be assured that you will get the right product for your back without having to shop around.
