Sciatica is pain that goes along the sciatic nerve. Patients often complain about aches from the lower part of the back through the buttocks, hips, and down the leg. The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine recommends knowing what this pain is. Doing so can help you get ready for the treatments that you will get. The following are the top causes of sciatica that you should consider.

Degenerative Disk Disease

Intervertebral discs are like shock absorbers of the spine. These components are important in keeping your back flexible. Aging can lead to the wear and tear of these discs. Once they wear down, their function decreases. Pain can develop when your intervertebral discs wear down. These disks shorten, leading to a narrower passageway for the nerves. This condition can pinch your sciatic nerve roots. Degenerative disc disease can give way to sciatica.

Slipped Disc

Also known as a herniated disc, a slipped disc can cause pressure on your nerve root. Studies show that this is the most common cause of sciatica. As mentioned earlier, intervertebral discs are the cushions between your vertebral bones. Constant, excessive pressure can cause the gel-like area of the disc to press out or bulge through a weak part of its wall. This herniation can press on a sciatic nerve. 

Spinal Stenosis

This condition can develop in anyone. People with this disorder feel more pain as they age. Spinal stenosis can also develop in younger people with a narrow spinal canal at birth. It can also develop in people who have a spinal injury. 

Symptoms start to develop when the intervertebral spaces in the spine begin to narrow. This often happens in the neck and lower back. The narrowing spaces result in pressure on the spine and its surrounding structures. Some people may develop symptoms while others may not. If you do have symptoms of spinal stenosis, here are some that you can expect:

• Burning aches or pain that travel to your buttocks and down into your legs. This pain worsens when you walk or stand. It may improve when you lean forward

• Weakness in the feet and legs

• Pain in your lower back

• Cramping, numbness, or tingling in your feet and legs. Walking and standing may worsen it

• Weakness in the fingers, arms, or hands

• Numbness spreads into the hands

• Neck pain

Piriformis Syndrome

This is an uncommon neuromuscular disorder. Here, your piriformis muscle tightens beyond your control. The contraction causes sciatica. This pain worsens as you go through a car crash or sit for long hours. 

Cauda Equina Syndrome

There is a nerve bundle at the end of your spinal cord. This is called the cauda equina. If you have cauda equina syndrome, the pain goes down your leg. There is numbness around your anus. This often causes the loss of bladder and bowel control. 

Understanding where sciatica comes from can help you prevent it or prepare for your treatments. At Goldberg Wellness & Acupuncture Center, we always guide our patients during their treatments. Please visit our clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, for an in-person consultation. 

To learn more about sciatica treatment call Goldberg Wellness & Acupuncture Center at 561-624-5070 to reach our office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.