3 Questions On Sciatica – Do You Know The “Right” Answers?

Are you one of the thousands you have sciatica. Do you have that nagging back pain that now travels down your leg… making you feel tired, frustrated and grumpy?

Can you actually imagine being free of sciatica? Do you really believe there is a cure, so you can enjoy all the activities you use to do? Wouldn’t life be perfect again if that pesky sciatica disappeared once and for all!

To have this goal is admirable… but you need to know 3 very important facts first. Or your sciatica may not disappear and you may suffer for a long time yet. Something you do not want… or need.

Sciatica is often confused. It can be a serious condition or it may be an irritation that is easily corrected. How do you know? If know the answer to three questions, then you can decide whether you can correct your sciatica yourself or you need to seek help from a structural specialist.

Question 1... How far does your sciatica travel?

The sciatic nerve can be irritated in the lower back, pelvis and as a result of muscular tightness in the buttock. If you have lower back pain and pain travels out to the buttock, this can still be sciatica. It is just a lesser form and easily corrected with various lower back stretches, exercises and joint techniques.

To simply correct this type of sciatica, you need to know this!

If your lower back pain travels down the leg to your foot or ankle, then obviously the sciatic nerve is irritated at a greater level. The further your sciatica travels, generally speaking, the worse the condition. In these situations professional advice and treatment is indicated.

Question 2… What type of sciatic pain to do you have?

Knowing which type of pain you suffer helps to determine how severe your sciatica is. Most people with sciatica will experience pain, it may be a gnawing, and toothache feeling or it may throb or shoot down the leg. Others will have a numb feeling and some may experience the muscles not holding their strength. If you look at the type of pain, you can see how serious it is.

Nerves, when irritated, exhibit definite pain patterns. The outer fibers of the nerve create what is called paraesthesia – which mean altered sensation. You may experience tingling, the gnawing feeling and a sensation of numbness. The numbness is a sensation not a reality. You can check this by pinching the area or using a pin prick. If you still feel pain with these then you have paraesthesia not true numbness.

The deeper layers of the nerve then cause the sharper, definite pain. The deepest levels will cause actual numbness and loss of muscle power, strength and endurance. If you experience symptoms of the deeper layer disturbances, then professional help is essential.

Question 3... What caused your sciatica?

If you have had a fall or injury then sciatica needs attention. Sciatica at times is caused by disc injuries and spinal conditions that relate to joint instability. These need to be assessed and treated accordingly. Although the majority of sciatic nerve irritation comes after situations that appear completely normal. Your normal daily activity should not cause sciatica, however a build up of tension can lead to sciatic nerve problems.

If you have not had trauma, if your general health is generally okay, your sciatica will most likely respond to some simple self help techniques you can use at home. It can ease and disappear quickly… but as the saying goes – if pain persists see your doctor.

If you know the right answers to the 3 important Sciatica questions, sciatica can disappear quickly. If you fit the criteria of caution, then be cautious and seek professional intervention. Don’t let sciatica “lay you up”… learn to get rid of sciatica once and for all.