Sciatica

Sciatica is a pain that affects the sciatic nerve located in the pelvis.  Sciatica is sometimes confusing, because it is not a diagnosis, it is just an explanation of symptoms.  Pain stems from pressure on one of the 5 nerve roots of the sciatic nerve.  This pressure is caused by the nerve roots, or the sciatic nerve itself being pressed upon by any of the disc, spine, or cartilaginous material.  This can be caused by a herniated disc, a spinal injury or pregnancy.  Sometimes the cause of the pressure and subsequent pain is unknown.

Depending on the cause of the sciatica, diagnosis and treatment measures differ greatly from patient to patient.  Imaging tests such as an MRI may be helpful to find the cause of the pressure, such as a herniated disc.  Physician directed pain medication, injections, acupuncture, physical and massage therapy and even surgery are possible treatments.  This of course depends on the cause of the pain and the patient.