Today we will discuss the details of typical symptoms for sciatica and its possible causes in adults.

Symptoms of lower back pain that travels to the leg and buttock is referred to as sciatica. Sciatica describes symptoms caused by a nerve root in the lower spine is compressed, which then causes pain to travel along the sciatic nerve that reaches the legs, feet, and buttock. Sciatica symptoms include:

• Pain that can be worse in the leg and foot compared to the lower back
• Your pain will be ongoing, giving you grief for days to even weeks until subsiding
• Pain that that is typically occurring on only one side of your body
• Pain that is more severe than the achy and dull pain from a muscle spasm.
• Often described as burning and tingling pain

The most common cause of sciatica is a lumbar herniated disc. However in young adults, sciatica can be caused by a lumbar herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, isthmic spondylolisthesis, and other conditions.

Symptoms for a herniated disc may be amplified by certain positions and movements. Herniated disc symptoms include:

• Chronic pain that ranges from troublesome to severe
• Severe lower back pain caused by muscle spasms that last from a few days to months at a time
• Increased back pain experienced while sitting
• Walking or running may give relief compared to sitting and standing
• Constant movement relives pain compared to being sedentary

Exercise can bring more relief for sciatic pain than rest. If you have experienced a flare up, resting for a day or so is to be expected. However if you stay inactive you can actually make the pain worse. Without exercise and movement, you will allow your back and spine to become deconditioned.  Deconditioning can lead to more pain from other injuries and strains. Being active has shown to be vital for the health of your spinal discs, which when healthy help prevent pressure on the sciatic nerve.

If you think you may have sciatica, Wasatch Pain Solutions can treat the root cause of your condition with an interventional spine injection. This would relieve your pain, and give you the opportunity for physical therapy to heal and become stronger. Contact us today so we can get you back to living pain free!