Sciatica Back Pain

Sciatica is a type of back pain that is most commonly felt in the lower back region and sometimes also down the back of the legs. Typically, sciatica affects young and middle age individuals ranging from 20 to 50 years old.

Depending on the severity of the sciatica, the pain experienced can range from a mild tingling pain to a very intense and sharp pain.

In most cases, sciatica pain affects only one side of the body and then the pain disappears for some time before reappearing again, each time sciatica pain reappears it can get progressively more painful.

What Does Sciatica Back Pain Feel Like?

Sciatica starts off as a fairly mild pain, and usually the sufferer will mistake it for a regular lower back pain.

The first signs of sciatica are feelings of numbness, burning or even a tingling sensation in the lower back or back of the legs.

Gradually these symptoms fade away, but may later reappear and be even more painful to the point of being debilitating.

What Causes Sciatica Back Pain?

Usually sciatica occurs as a result of a slipped disc which causes an irritation to the surrounding nerves.

This may occur as a result of lifting something too heavy, bending over in an awkward position or even from twisting in a way that unusually jerks or strains the body.

Other causes of nerve irritation and inflammation which can lead to back pain include spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and gradual wear and aging of the back.

Treatments For Sciatica Back Pain

Treatment for sciatica back pain involves addressing the underlying cause of the pain; the nerve irritation and inflammation.

Usually, treatment will result in the pain subsiding within two to three weeks, although very often it can occur much sooner than this.

In rare circumstances, it may not be possible to treat the sciatica successfully, and long term or chronic pain can result.

One such example can be found during pregnancy where sciatica causes the mother pain but treatment options are limited due to the risk certain treatments pose to the unborn child.

When sciatica is treated medically, the first steps involve determining the cause of the nerve irritation. If the cause of the irritation can be identified and resolved, this will be far more effective at relieving the sciatica pain than treating the inflammation alone.

However, anti-inflammatory and/or painkiller drugs are usually given anyway for a few days after treatment to relive any pain or discomfort caused by the procedure, which in most instances, is not invasive.

After medical treatment and medication, sciatica pain can be treated with exercise and stretching routines. This helps to reduce inflammation and encourage blood circulation so that oxygenated blood and nutrients can reach the affected area and assist the healing process.