Learn about the causes of Sciatica & find a practitioner in Auckland, Hamilton, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin to help you overcome Sciatica within New Zealand.
Sciatica is pain in the lower back or leg caused by damage to or compression of the sciatic nerve. The pain can be mild or severe, is usually only experienced in one leg, and can be accompanied by numbness or tingling.
The sciatic nerve runs from the pelvis, through the buttocks and legs
and ends at the feet. When something compresses or irritates the nerve,
pain travels from the lower back, down the leg and into the calf muscle.
The
majority of sciatica cases are caused by physical wear and tear
particularly in those who have physical occupations and are over the
age of 40. Other common causes of sciatica include a slipped disc,
spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
Slipped disc
A
slipped disc, also known as a herniated disc, is the common cause of
sciatica and occurs when the cushion of cartilage (known as the disc)
between the vertebrae becomes hard and brittle. Repeated strain on the
spine can cause the cartilage disc to split and the soft tissue inside
the disc presses on the sciatic nerve.
Spinal stenosis
A
long tube within the spine which contains nerves can begin to narrow
with age. If this narrowing occurs in the lower back, the sciatic nerve
can become compressed.
Spondylolisthesis
This
condition affects the cartilage discs. When the discs degenerate they
can become too weak to support the spine resulting in vertebrae
slipping forward over the one below and compressing the sciatic nerve.
Pregnancy
can also cause sciatica due to either the uterus pressing on the nerve
or from vertebral compression from carrying extra weight. In rare
cases, sciatica can be a sign of a spinal infection or growth.
Sciatica is often confused with general back pain however sciatic pain
is not limited to the back and can affect the buttocks and legs.
Symptoms include numbness and weakness in the legs and feet with
accompanied pins and needles in the feet (although not in all cases).
A
rare form of sciatica known as 'cauda equine syndrome' permanently
damages the nervous system and can lead to paralysis if left untreated.
A warning sign of this condition is a loss of bladder or bowel control.
If you suffer with sciatica and experience this you should seek
emergency medical assistance immediately.
*Source: GoToSee.co.uk
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