The sciatic nerve runs along the back of your thigh. It carries signals from your brain to your lower body, including your hip and leg muscles. The sciatic nerve arises from three roots. The proximal, or lower-most, root is located in the lumbar spine, and the middle and distal roots are in the sacrum and coccyx bones. Unfortunately, you can develop sciatic nerve pain, commonly known as sciatica Houston.

Sciatic nerve pain occurs when a herniated disc compresses the nerves that supply sensation to your legs in your spine. This causes pain in your buttocks and down one side of your leg.

Below are the symptoms and causes of sciatic nerve pain;

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

• Knee weakness when bending
• Pain in the buttock when sitting down or standing up
• Tenderness around the waist or back (lower back)
• Tenderness in the leg and ankle, along with swelling
• Pain on either side of the spine – usually worse when lying down or bending over

What are the causes of sciatica?

Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which is the space that runs through the length of your spine. This can cause pain and numbness in your lower back, buttocks, and legs.

Pelvic injury or fracture: Pelvic fractures are common in older adults and are often associated with sciatica. This type of pelvic fracture is usually caused by a fall on an outstretched arm or side, which causes the pelvis to hyperextend and fracture the bone. Damage to nerves, blood vessels, and muscles can also cause sciatica following this type of injury.

Spinal cord injury: Compression fractures of the spine that occur due to osteoporosis, trauma, or degenerative conditions such as spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebrae) can lead to spinal cord compression and its nerve roots. The resulting pain may radiate down one leg and into both buttocks. Sciatica may be evident when you try to walk because it causes pain along the pathway from your hip down through your leg and foot.

Infection: Infections in the hip joint can cause sciatica symptoms, including severe pain in your buttock and leg. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other body parts, leading to fever and other signs and symptoms such as chills, severe muscle aches, and fatigue.

What to do if you have sciatica

It is essential to seek medical care from a doctor if you have had sciatica for more than two weeks or if the pain has become severe enough that you can’t continue to work or play regularly. There are several types of treatments for sciatica, including physical therapy, medication, and surgery. Most doctors who treat patients with sciatica recommend physical therapy first because it helps speed up healing and reduce future flare-ups.

Sciatica is the most common cause of lower back pain. Several causes include compression from a herniated disc, irritation from a pinched nerve or tumor, and other neural conditions. The most effective treatment for sciatica depends on the cause and severity of the condition. For help with sciatic nerve pain, contact Body Balance Chiropractic & Wellness Center.