Pinched Sciatica Nerve
Pinched sciatica nerve can lead to severe pain and discomfort in victims. This happens when the sciatica nerve which is the longest nerve in your body becomes irritated or compressed. The pain often occurs in the lower back, the buttocks as well as some parts of the leg. The pain will vary and times it will be extremely severe while at other times it is a discomfort. You will a tingling like you are being pricked with needles or pins.
Misconceptions about Pinched Sciatica Nerve
Pinched sciatica nerve is not actually a disorder but a combination of a wide range of symptoms. The symptoms will vary depending on the cause as well as the nerve root affected. This is why people with sciatica will complain of different symptoms. However, not all pain in the leg or lower back is sciatica. Joint pain is not sciatica, but if the pain comes from a nerve discomfort then it is sciatica. It is also important to note that pinched sciatica nerve is actually a symptom and not a disorder. It refers to the pain that is caused when the sciatica nerve is compressed. Whatever is causing the nerve compression is the diagnosis.
Pinched Sciatica Nerve Characteristics
People with sciatica nerve pain experience different symptoms, depending on how advanced the disease is. If the nerve compression is not severe the person will only experience discomfort, but if the compression is severe the person is likely to experience debilitating pain. Some of the most common symptoms of sciatica nerve include leg pain. The pain starts from the lower back and moves to the lower back of your thigh and then to the leg. The pain is sharp and it will feel like someone is pricking you with sharp things. This pain usually comes when you start to walk and ends when you sit down. Other symptoms include numbness, tingling, pressure, weakness as well as a prickling sensation.
Pinched Sciatica Nerve Treatment
There is a wide range of treatments for pinched sciatica nerve pain. Your doctor can prescribe medications for you to ease the pain. You can also use natural remedies such as herbs, change diet or physical exercise. Most people prefer natural treatments because they are safe. Unlike medications they do not carry side effects.
Contact your doctor if you are experiencing a loose bladder or numbness in one or both legs. You might need to undergo a surgery if the condition is severe, but it is better to try natural remedies first. For example, put a pillow under your legs while you are sleeping to reduce the pressure on the nerve. You can also lie down on the floor or on a mattress to relax. However, you should not lie down for more than three days since it will only worsen the condition. Applying cold ice on your leg can also relieve the pain. Avoid bending or lifting heavy things since this will put pressure on the sciatica nerve.
A change of diet can also help to relieve sciatica nerve pain. Include a lot of vegetables and fruits in your diet to increase the metabolic rate. Poor digestion caused by lack of fibers in your body can aggravate sciatica pain.
Physical exercise is also known to be of great help. Yoga, hamstring stretch and stretching your lower back can help you to recover. It is important to contact a professional instructor since some exercise can worsen the condition. Exercise helps the muscles to relax and also improve your posture to reduce nerve discomfort. Moreover, exercise increases blood circulation in your legs to prevent numbness.
Pinched sciatica nerve is a syndrome which occurs when the sciatica nerve is irritated or compressed. It is accompanied by many symptoms including lower back pain and leg numbness. The symptoms can be treated through medications, exercise or diet. If you experience these symptoms you should see your physician for assistance.