Sciatica Symptoms

Many patients think that sciatica symptoms are both the beginning and the end of a health problem. However, sciatica is not a disease that can be cured. It is a symptomatic condition that indicates a nerve impingement with another cause. Sciatica is defined as pain in the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down the legs. The pain symptoms are usually localized to one side or the other.

Trying to treat the legs will not permanently alleviate the pain, which originates elsewhere. It happens when nerves are compressed or pushed against deteriorated or rough tissue due to:

• Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal column
• Slipped or ruptured discs
• Spinal-tumor growth
• Piriformis syndrome, a sciatica caused by cramping of the piriformis muscle
• Traumatic-injury symptoms

Analyzing Sciatica Symptoms to Determine the Cause

With such a wide range of possible culprits, paying close attention to sciatica symptoms is important. These can tell patients and their physicians where the pain may be initiated. They need to notice where pain is located in the lumbar region, buttock, foot, back of the thigh or calf. They also need to define the nature of the sensation, whether it is numbness, dull aching, prickling, burning or sharp pain.

Surgery may be required to alleviate the nerve crowding that is causing the sciatica. The caring and intuitive health-care providers at the Bonati Institute attend to every detail of a patient's health history, present condition and future recovery, with a record of over 90-percent success.