Understanding The Signs Of Sciatica

Sciatica is a symptom of low back pain and leg pain. Generally this type of pain feels like numbness, weakness or tingling in the legs. The issue commonly originates from the lower back and travels through the buttocks, heading down the largest sciatic nerve situated at the back of the leg.

Usually, sciatica is a symptom of an underlying problem, like degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis or a herniated disc. The following are symptoms to look out for if you suspect that you are dealing with sciatica nerve pains:

-Pain occurring constantly in one leg or one buttock as it rarely occurs on both buttocks or both legs
-Lower back pain which is not as painful as the leg pain
-Pain that becomes worse when sitting or standing, but feels better when walking or lying down
-Pain in the leg, commonly described as searing, burning or tingling, or even a dull ache
-Difficulty moving the leg or the foot (sometimes the foot becomes numb or weak)
-Occurrence of sharp pain in back or legs noticeable when you try to stand or walk

Sciatic pain is complicated because it varies – the condition causing the problem can produce a constant, incapacitating pain, whereas sometimes it shows as infrequent but irritating. How sciatic pain presents depends on the location and severity of the underlying condition.

Are you sick of taking pain meds that do not alleviate the pain from sciatica? Here are some simple non-medical ways of alleviating sciatic pain:

Heat and Ice

Heating pads and ice packs can be used to alleviate the pain, especially if it is acute, by treating the painful part of your body for at least twenty minutes. You can heat or ice repeatedly after every two hours.

Massage Therapy

Massage can relieve back pain and increase blood flow, while also relaxing muscles and releasing endorphins, which work as natural pain relievers within the body.

Of course, exercising and stretching can also help to relieve sciatic pain in the leg, especially when the muscles that are tight and inflexible, which can cause pain. Aerobic exercise, like swimming and walking, is good at relieving pain because these exercises help to release endorphins as well. If you would like more ideas on how to relieve sciatic pain, or general information about sciatica, please contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Blatman in our Cincinnati office, or call us at 513.956.3200