Article by Kevin
Sciatica or sciatic pain may be due to a range of low back or lumbar spine disorders. Basically, sciatica often refers to mild to intense pain that can be felt by the lower extremities of the body. In some instances, the pain can reach the hips, buttocks, legs and even the feet. Pain is the result of inflamed nerves. Likewise, inflammation is due to stress or strain on the lower back irritating the nerves within. Treatment for sciatica usually depends on the cause. Because there may be underlying conditions, the treatment should also address that. The following sections provide information on sciatica causes.
Lumbar Bulging or Herniated Disc?One of the most common and prominent causes of sciatica is herniated disc. Also known as bulging disc, herniated disc is in fact a contained disc disorder. In this case, the nucleus pulposus or the gel-like center of the disc is stuck in the outer wall resulting to problems with the lower back. This condition results from the breaking of the nucleus into the annulus. Since the disc material tends to press on the nearby nerve roots, they can strain such and eventually cause sciatica.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?Another cause of sciatica is spinal stenosis. This refers to a disorder wherein the nerves get compressed. Usually, lumbar spinal stenosis affects older people so the more a person ages, the more he or she becomes prone to the condition. Spinal stenosis can cause leg pain. Pain is positional and often worsens when the individual tries walking or standing. Sitting down relieves the pain but it does not solve the problem.
Spondylolisthesis?Spondylolisthesis refers to a type of disorder that specifically targets the lumbar spine. When a person has spondylolisthesis, a part of their vertebra slips forward on top of the adjacent vertebra. Once a part of the vertebra slips and gets misplaced, the spinal nerve root is compressed thus causing inflammation and eventually pain. This type of condition is acquired and occurs during the developmental stages of a child. It can also be the result of physical stress or some type of trauma.
Trauma?Trauma is a more subjective cause of sciatica. This can result from a range of things. Trauma basically refers to the strain in the sciatic nerve as a result of some kind of external force. For instance, if a person got involved in a vehicular accident, the impact of that accident to their lower body can cause trauma and eventually the swelling of the nerve.
Piriformis Syndrome?Piriformis syndrome, as the name implies, has something to do with the piriformis muscle. When the muscles are strained, they are also capable of putting some type of pressure on the sciatic nerve. Thus, this can also cause sciatica.
There may be other causes of sciatic pain, but these are by far the most common ones. Once you know the cause, you can treat this condition much more effectvely.
About the Author
You can learn more about the causes of sciatica on my website. Sciatic nerve pain is quite treatable with a better understanding of the condition.Kevin Doherty, L.Ac., MS is a licensed acupuncturist in Superior, CO.