What is Sciatica? What are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods?

what is sciatica, what are its causes, symptoms and treatment methods
what is sciatica, what are its causes, symptoms and treatment methods

Physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist Prof. Dr. Turan Uslu gave information about the subject. It is a painful disease seen in the nerve called “sciatica” that comes out between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae and extends from here to the heels. Sciatica pain manifests itself in two ways: It is either a constant mild pain or an occasional severe pain. The pains run along the sciatic nerve from the hip to the heel.

Sciatic pain is sometimes confused with "lumbar hernia". In order to understand that the pain originates from the sciatic nerve, the patient is placed on his back. While the leg is in a stretched state, it is slowly lifted up. In the meantime, if a itchy pain is felt on the back of the thigh that extends to the leg and even to the foot, the suspicion of sciatica becomes definite. The higher the leg is lifted, the more severe the pain.

Causes of Sciatica:

There are many different causes of sciatica. We can list the main ones as follows:

  • Spinal calcification
  • Spinal tumors
  • waist hernias
  • spine infections
  • Some ailments from birth
  • Fractures, dislocations and injuries in the lower parts of the spine
  • Damage to the pelvis or organs close to this area
  • Gout, diabetes, injection of certain nerve irritants around the sciatic nerve
  • Some internal organ tumors

Sciatica Treatment:

  • The type of treatment to be applied is determined after the actual factor affecting the sciatic nerve is revealed.
  • In the early stages of treatment, pain relievers and bed rest are given.
  • Then, hot baths, spa treatments, massage and physical therapy methods are applied.