Sciatica is referred to numbness, weakness or pain in the legs. Sciatica can be caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from an injury. It is important to remember that sciatica isn’t a medical problem but a symptom of some other existing medical condition.
Some common causes of sciatica are the following:
- Spinal Stenosis
- Herniated, or slipped Disc
- Degenerating Disc
- Pelvic injury
Some things that may make sciatica worse:
- Sciatica may get worse at night
- Sciatica may get worse after sitting or standing
- Sciatica may get worse when coughing, laughing or sneezing
- Sciatica may get worse after walking a medium to long distance
Some things that may make sciatica better:
The only way to treat sciatica is to find the medical problem that is causing it. If you feel like you have sciatica, it is important to see a doctor in order to determine what type of medical problem is causing the sciatica. Sometimes sciatica may improve on its own.
If your sciatica gets worse, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the inflammation:
- Apply heat or ice to the area you are experiencing pain
- While attempting to sleep, curl up in the fetal position with a pillow between your legs
- Take over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol or Advil to help reduce the pain. (Consult your healthcare provider before taking any medications.)
For more information on sciatica, you can call 1-888-BACK-RELIEF today and talk to a back pain expert.