The Sciatic Nerve
P. Wall
READ 91-B
The sciatic
nerve passes
from the
lower spine
to the feet.
It is the
longest and
widest single
nerve in the
human body.
Sometimes this
nerve is irritated,
which produces a
feeling of pain,
tingling, or
numbness. This
condition is called
sciatica.
Severe
sciatica can
make walking
difficult if not
impossible.
Sciatica occurs
when a nerve
that connects
to the sciatic
nerve is
compressed or
irritated.
Sciatica is
generally
caused by
disc disease.
The spine
consists
of a string
of discs.
These discs are
filled with fluid
which can leak
due to age or
injury. This is
called a
“herniated disc.”
Other conditions
which can cause
sciatica are
narrowing of the
spinal canal and
degenerative disc
disease.
These
spinal
conditions
frequently
occur with
aging.
The good news is
that sciatica
usually gets
better on its own.
The healing
process usually
only takes a few
days or weeks.
Pain management
techniques and
regular exercise
will go a long way
toward remedying
the situation.
If medication and
exercise do not
resolve the pain,
surgery is an option.
About 80% of
patients find relief
through surgery.
SOURCES
Wikipedia.org
Webmd.com
Spine-health.com