Sciatica : The Major Causes and Its Possible Treatments

Sciatica : The Major Causes and Its Possible Treatments
Sciatica is recognized as the pain in the lower extremity that results from the irritation of the sciatic
nerve. It is generally characterized by pain in the lower back as well as gluteal region. This pain
could radiate down at one or both legs into the thighs, calf, ankle as well as the foot. The sciatica
nerve being the largest nerve in the body begins from the nerve roots in the lumbar spinal cord
located in the low back while extending through the buttock area which is responsible for sending
nerve endings down the lower limb.
Main causes of Sciatica:
There are different causes of sciatica and the cause of the pain determines one’s treatment options to
get relief from it. Below are presented some of the main causes:
• Sciatica is generally caused by the sciatic nerve compression. The disorders caused due to
sciatic nerve pain includes lumbar spine subluxations or misaligned vertebral bodies,
herniated or bulging discs or slipped discs, pregnancy and childbirth, tumors as well as nonspinal
disorders which may include diabetes, constipation or sitting on one’s back pocket
wallet.
• Another most important and common cause of sciatica is Piriformis syndrome. The
Piriformis syndrome is being named after the Piriformis muscle that is located in the lower
part of the spine, which connects with the thighbone and helps in hip rotation. The sciatic
nerve runs under the Piriformis muscle that is responsible for the injury from a slip and fall,
hip arthritis or a difference in leg length. These conditions may cause cramping and spasm to
develop in the Pirformis muscle which results in pinching the sciatic nerve and inflammation
and pain.
Possible Treatments of Sciatica:
There are different types of sciatica treatment exercises that help in getting relief from sciatica pain.
Let us have a look on different treatment options:
• The doctors may prescribe one with different types of drugs and medications that could
include epidural steroid injections, over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal antiinflammatory
drugs) and other prescribed medications.
• Other than the above treatments, there are different chiropractic treatment and surgical
treatment that helps in curing sciatica.

• Different physical therapies are also suggested by the physical therapist that relieves the
sciatica and restores the movement. This non surgical sciatica treatment includes both active
as well as passive treatments. Other alternate treatments for sciatica are acupuncture,
acupressure, biofeedback and yoga.
Thus, these were some of the major causes of sciatica and its best possible treatments.