The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest single nerve in the body.  It begins in the spinal cord at lower back and runs through the buttocks and down both legs.    Sciatica is not in itself a condition.  The term sciatica refers to the painful attack.

Symptoms of sciatica include loss of bladder or bowel control.  This is the most serious symptom and requires immediate medical attention.  Other symptoms include pain that radiates from your back, through your buttocks and down one leg, numbness or weakness in one leg, and tingling in the foot or toes.  Pain may be intense.

This painful irritation of the sciatic nerve can be caused by;

1.  an injured or ‘slipped’ disk,

2.  spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal column, caused by degenerating disks,

3.  an injury to the spine or to the sciatic nerve, or

4.  a tumor in the sciatic nerve, or in the spine.

Sciatica cannot usually be cured, though it can be quite successfully treated.  The pain may come and go.  Those most likely to develop sciatica include those who live a sedentary lifestyle, those with diabetes, those that suffer early degeneration of spinal disks, and those whose occupations require them to lift a great deal or twist their backs.

If you have any back pain that lasts for more than a week it is wise to get a medical evaluation.  Your doctor may make a diagnosis of sciatica based on the length, and intensity of the pain and a physical evaluation.  If, in spite of moderate measures, the pain lasts for more than a few weeks,  your doctor may also want Xrays to check for disk damage, an MRI, or a CAT scan with contrast dye.

Treatments for mild sciatic pain include medications for pain and inflammation, and physiotherapy.  Gentle exercise is also advised.

For more severe sciatic pain, steroid injections often help.  In case of loss of bladder or bowel control, immediate surgery is usually needed to remove at least part of the offending disk.

There are some measures you can take yourself to deal with the pain of sciatica.  They include the following.

A.  Do not sit any more than necessary.

B.  When the pain first appears, apply an ice pack to the painful area for ten minutes every two hours.  Continue for three days.  Then switch to warm packs several times per day.

C.  Avoid lying down for any length of time.  Instead, alternate short walks with short rests.

D.  Learn some stretching exercises for the lower back.  You physiotherapist or doctor can advise you what exercises are best for you.

E.  Good activities for painful backs include gentle water exercise, and recumbent biking.

F.  When an attack subsides, get and remain active.  Avoid long periods of sitting.  Eat well, and control your weight.