Sciatica is characterised by pain in the lower back and gluteal region. This pain can radiate down one or both legs into the thigh, calf, ankle, and foot. Genuine sciatica occurs when pain travels below the knee. 

Sciatic pain results when the base of the spine is compressed or when injury or pressure have compressed the spinal roots of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve systems are located in in the lumbar and the sacral regions of the spine. Sciatic pain or sciatica can be described as sharp, dull, burning, tingly, numb, continuous, or intermittant and usually affects only one side of the body. It can radiate the entire length of the nerve, in some cases all the way down to the toes.

Sciatic pain is most often the result of a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or in extremely rare cases, infection or tumor.  The cause of your pain determines your treatment options to relieve sciatica.

Sciatica Treatment Options

SpineUniverse offers detailed articles on all sciatica treatment options.  You may want to read about:

• alternative treatments (eg, acupuncture)
• chiropractic care
• medications
• physical therapy
• surgery

Those with lower back pain have historically been prescribed bed rest in order to offer relief for aching bones and joints. Research in recent years has suggested that bed rest alone will not offer relief for those suffering from nerve pain such as sciatica.

Staying active may be more beneficial for those who suffer from back pain. Not to say that you should be running marathons! Activity means being up and mobile for periods of time that are not enough to cause further pain and aggravation to your back. Some physicians may prescribe specific exercises, or some may simply suggest walking.

Sciatica Pain Relief
Pain is best treated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or codeine (in acute cases).

In some cases a cortisone-like drug may be injected into the epidural space surrounding the spinal column. This procedure is similar to the epidural used during childbirth, and it's called an epidural steroid injection. A course of this type of treatment may offer temporary relief, but does not address the root of the problem.

Sciatica Surgery
Some patients with sciatica may find significant relief from surgery. In cases of herniated discs, a surgical procedure called a laminectomy may be performed. In this procedure, a portion of the posterior arch is removed to relieve pressure on pinched nerve tissues.

In cases of spinal stenosis, the portion of bone that is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve system can be removed.

Surgery is not for everyone. However, for those who have shown no sign of improvement in four to six weeks and who have had CT scans (computed tomography) or MRI that show a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, surgery may offer significant relief.