Sciatic nerve pain is often excruciating and may leave sufferers desperate for relief. Several causes exist for sciatica, but most cases are caused by either lumbar disc protrusion and/or contraction of the piriformis muscle, located in the lower buttock.
- Disc protrusions, also called disc bulges or herniations, occur from major traumas such as falls and auto accidents, as well as from repeated “micro-trauma” over a long period of time, such as sitting in a slouched position, or bending and lifting with poor body mechanics. In extreme cases, disc protrusions can progress to extrusions – full disc ruptures, which often cause sciatica symptoms so severe that they can leave the person almost totally incapacitated. Disc protrusions and extrusions can cause direct pressure on one or more of the nerves that combine to form the large sciatic nerves which pass through the lower buttock area and down each leg. Depending on the site and severity of nerve compression, pain and other symptoms such as tingling and numbness can extend anywhere from the buttock to the foot. In addition to direct irritation caused by disc material pressing against the nerve, disc protrusions often cause inflammatory swelling, which can increase pressure around the effected nerve.
Exercises to help reduce disc bulging and medication and cold packs to reduce inflammatory swelling will usually provide sciatic nerve pain relief within a week or two. Some exercises that are promoted for relieving sciatica should not be used in cases of disc protrusion though. For instance, the “Downward Facing Dog” yoga position required forward flexion of the spin which can increase disc bulging and make sciatic nerve pain worse.
- Long periods of sitting or unusual exertion of the hip muscles can trigger contraction of the piriformis and cause sciatic nerve pain. The location of the piriformis varies from one individual to the next. In some people the muscle crosses over the top of the nerve, and in some instances the nerve may even pass through the piriformis muscle, making it susceptible to compression from contraction of the muscle. Stretching exercises and deep massage of the piriformis muscle will usually provide sciatic nerve pain relief due to muscle contraction.
Although sciatica can be extremely painful, the vast majority of sufferers can get relief without resorting to surgery. By identifying the underlying cause of symptoms, the appropriate home treatments can be employed, and sciatic nerve pain relief can be obtained relatively quickly in most instances.