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What Causes Sciatica?

Once you've been diagnosed with this condition, "what causes sciatica?" may be the next question you ask your doctor. You'll naturally be curious to learn how you came to suffer from this condition and the symptoms it causes. The answer, most often, is something that you simply couldn't have done anything to prevent – aging. Over the years, natural wear and tear on your spinal anatomy can cause degenerative spine conditions that place pressure on your sciatic nerve. This nerve compression due to aging is what causes sciatica. But what is sciatica exactly?

Defining Sciatica

The term "sciatica" collectively describes the group of symptoms that can arise when the sciatic nerve is compressed by a herniated disc, bulging disc, bone spur, or other result of degeneration of the spinal anatomy. These symptoms can include:

• Localized pain
• Pain traveling the length of the nerve, potentially all the way to the toes
• Weakness
• Tingling
• Numbness

Treatment

Typically, conservative, nonsurgical treatment options are extremely effective in managing sciatic symptoms. Your doctor will likely suggest that you begin a treatment program consisting of light exercise, stretching, physical therapy, pain medication, physical therapy, or other options. However, some individuals simply can't find relief through these methods and instead turn to elective surgery. If this sounds like your situation, contact Laser Spine Institutefor more information about our state-of-the-art endoscopic procedures that are minimally invasive alternatives to open back surgery. Our orthopedic specialists can perform a variety of procedures that may be able to help you rediscover your life without back and neck pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.