What is Sciatica - and How Can I Deal with It?

It's highly likely that we all know someone who suffers from sciatic pain. As many as 40% of people will experience sciatica during their lifetime, occurring more frequently with older age. But what exactly is it, and how can you manage it?

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body. It occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a herniated disk in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae.

Symptoms

• Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg.
• Discomfort that can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating pain.
• Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot.

Dealing with Sciatica

Most cases of sciatica resolve with self-care measures and conservative treatments over a few weeks. Gentle stretching, avoiding prolonged sitting, and applying heat or ice can provide relief. Remedial massage and myotherapy can help alleviate sciatic pain by releasing tight muscles in the lower back and buttocks (like the piriformis muscle) that may be compressing the nerve.