What is sciatica

A look at pain in the buttocks, a common complaint with many causes but often the result of sciatica. Included is detail on diagnosis and seeing a…. There are many possible causes of lower back spasm, including poor posture, muscle overuse, and injuries. In some cases, the spasm may occur as a…. The back is a sensitive part of the body, which has many nerves and organs nearby. This means that issues such as digestive conditions can occur at…. Symptoms Treatments Exercises and stretches Causes Pregnancy Outlook Diagnosis We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Symptoms of sciatica. Share on Pinterest Sciatica can cause pain in the back and legs. What are the treatments for sciatica? Exercises and stretches. Causes of sciatica. How is sciatica diagnosed? Medically reviewed by Justin Choi, M. Latest news Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Related Coverage. Could sciatica be causing the pain in your buttocks?

Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Causes and treatment of lower back spasms. Back to Health A to Z. Sciatica is where the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is irritated or compressed. It usually gets better in 4 to 6 weeks but can last longer. You may also have back pain, but it's not usually as bad as the pain in your bottom, leg or foot.

You probably do not have sciatica if you only have back pain. Sciatica usually gets better in 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes last longer. You can purchase ice packs or even use a package of frozen vegetables. Wrap the ice pack or frozen vegetables in a towel and apply it to the affected area for 20 minutes per day, several times per day, during the first few days of pain.

This will help to reduce swelling and ease pain. You can also purchase hot packs or a heating pad. After two or three days, switch to heat. If you continue to have pain, try alternating between ice and heat therapy. Gently stretching your lower back can also be helpful. To learn how to stretch properly, get personal, one-on-one physical therapy or even yoga instruction from a physical therapist or instructor trained to deal with your injury.

Over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen , can also help with pain, inflammation, and swelling. Be careful about using aspirin excessively, since it can cause complications, such as stomach bleeding and ulcers.

The more you stay active, the more endorphins your body releases. Endorphins are pain relievers made by your body. Stick to low-impact activities at first, such as swimming and stationary bicycling. As your pain decreases and your endurance improves, create an exercise regimen that includes aerobics, core stability, and strength training.

A regimen with these components can decrease your risk of future back problems. Your doctor might prescribe muscle relaxers , narcotic pain relief, or antidepressants. Corticosteroid medications are injected into an area called the epidural space, which is the canal that surrounds your spinal cord.

Because of side effects, these injections are given on a limited basis. Surgery may be needed for severe pain or situations in which you have lost control of your bowel and bladder or have developed weakness in certain muscle groups of the lower extremity. Alternative medicine is growing in popularity. There are a number of alternative remedies for sciatica.

These include the following:. Sciatica can be acute or chronic. An acute sciatica flare-up may last one to two weeks and may lead to more severe pain and chronic sciatica. Sciatica is most often relieved through conservative methods within a matter of weeks without requiring surgery. Read on to learn about these…. The telltale symptoms of sciatic nerve pain are severe pain in your back, buttocks, and legs.

Sciatica pain is a sharp, throbbing, or burning sensation that shoots or radiates down the leg, often on only one side of the body. These yoga poses…. Several supplements may ease neuropathy symptoms, like vitamin B, fish oil, curcumin, and more. Many people with sciatica pain find lying down painful. In general, some sleeping positions are better than others and put less stress on the sciatic….