Sciatica is a term that is used to describe the symptoms of leg pain that is sometimes characterized by a numbness or weakness that stems from the lower back. The pain climbs through the buttock down to the large sciatic nerve at the back of your leg making you feel numb and weak.
In this article, we have collected five of the most crucial facts that you need to know about sciatica and its relationship to anterior pelvic tilt.
- Characteristics of Sciatic Pain
Several distinguishing factors characterize sciatic pain. They include:
- Constant pain in one side of the leg or buttock. This pain is rarely present on both sides of the legs
- The pain is exacerbated when you are sitting down
- There is a dull ache down the leg
- Weakness or numbness when you try moving the leg
- A sharp pain that makes it difficult for you to walk or stand up
Sciatic pain is usually aggravated when an individual has been sitting or standing for long. Many people report sciatic pain to be worse when they are laughing, sneezing or coughing.
- Sciatica: Not a Medical Diagnosis
Sciatica is not a disease, but more of a a symptom of an underlying medical condition. It is a medical condition that mostly arise as a result of irritation of one of the spinal nerve roots where the sciatic nerve originates. Sciatica might also be caused by a compression or irritation on the right or left sciatic nerves.
It is important to note that sciatica does not cause the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerves. It is merely a symptom that points to the existence of an underlying medical condition. In most cases, this condition is usually anterior pelvic tilt.
- Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica is usually caused by an irritation or compression of the lumbar nerves or the sciatic nerve itself. Physicians characterize sciatica differently Depending on which nerve has been compressed.
The most common cause of sciatica is what doctors call spinal disc herniation. In layman’s terms spinal disc herniation is the the compression of the sciatic root nerves. Spinal disc herniation is often caused by bad posture, especially for a person who spends most of his time bending.
- Seek Medical Attention – When?
If the sciatic pain is not lessening after a few days, it might be a good idea to call your physician. Additionally, if it is the first time you are experiencing sciatica, you should seek the advice of a medical practitioner.
- Taking Care of Sciatica at Home
Pain from sciatica is often too intense and will limit the amount of physical activity that you can perform. To ensure that the pain does not cause you undue difficulties, here are some few best practices while at home:
- Do not sit on a low chair, bend or stand for a long time.
- Unless you are allergic to pain medications such as Tylenol and ibuprofen, always keep a bottle nearby. They help reduce the pain drastically.
- Use a cold pack on your back to lessen the pain. If a cold pack is not available, go for a frozen bag of vegetables. It works to reduce the pain.
- Lying on your back with a pillow under your knees reduces the pain. Another option is to to sit on a recliner chair.
In The End..
Take it easy – Do not exert yourself when you are in pain. However, do not stay in bed for more than two days as this has been shown to actually worsen the pain. Do some simple activities that you will manage to tolerate.
