The term Sciatica is actually a symptom of a medical condition. Not a medical condition itself. Sciatica pain can vary widely from very mild to being so severe one can hardly move. It is usually on one leg or the other and can involve different parts or all of the leg. The pain usually starts slowly with a mild tingling and if left unattended or cared for, can get downright miserable with severe numbness of the leg or foot or both. Prolonged standing or sitting usually causes the condition to get worse along with walking or exercise.

Sciatica is caused by pressure on the nerve that runs from the back down into your legs and feet. This nerve starts in the spine and runs down the back of each leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Common causes of sciatica are herniated disk, degenerative disk disease, spinal stenosis, or injury.

Doctors have a number of tools that they can use to determine the actual cause of the sciatica and what treatment might be necessary to alleviate the pain. This test may include but are not limited to x-rays, MRI’s, blood test, and other procedures. If the cause is caught early and can be identified the problem can usually be fixed with physical therapy and remedies you can employ yourself. If, however the pain persist or you have any of the following symptoms, you need to see a doctor:

• Unexplained fever with back pain

• Back pain after a severe blow or fall

• Redness or swelling on the back or spine

• Pain traveling down your legs below the knee

• Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis

• Burning with urination or blood in your urine

• Pain that is worse when you lie down, or awakens you at night

• Severe pain and you cannot get comfortable

• Loss of control of urine or stool (incontinence)