Sciatica symptoms are often manifested as pain that radiates along your body’s sciatic nerve. This nerve extends from your lower back to your buttocks, hips, and the backs of your legs. If the sciatic nerve is injured or inflamed, the symptoms are called sciatica.
The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc. When they are healthy, discs act as shock absorbers to your spine’s vertebrae. If discs become damaged or worn down, they can bulge and press on any nerve in the spinal column, including the nerve. Visit our sciatica causes page to learn more about the ways that your body’s longest nerve can become inflamed and painful.
Sciatica symptoms vary considerably, depending on the injury and the location of the injury. You may feel sensations of tingling, numbness or weakness, or a dull to sharp shooting pain down the thigh and leg. Typically the pain starts slowly and affects only one side of the body at a time.
Other sciatica symptoms include:
- Difficulty sitting, standing or walking
- Worsening pain when you cough, laugh or sneeze
- Discomfort when leaning backwards
- Muscle weakness
If you’re experiencing any of these sciatica symptoms, consult with your doctor. Your physician has the ability to make sure your suffering is due to sciatica and not some other problem. Also, review our sciatica nerve treatments page for tips on reducing pain and swelling, including using over-the-counter analgesics, hot and cold packs, and stretching exercises.
Next Steps…
Sometimes patients need more than standard treatment to regain normal, smooth motion. Thankfully, there’s another option for pain relief—safe and effective minimally invasive procedures performed at Laser Spine Institute. With a quicker recuperation time and higher success rate than other treatments like open-back surgery, our advanced treatments can help you to walk 18 holes pain-free once again! For a free MRI review or CT scan review, and to learn more information about our Laser Spine Institute, contact us today.
