What Causes Sciatica - Most Common Reasons Behind The Problem

spinal stenosis

Sciatica, which is also commonly referred to as severe back pain, is a condition that is caused by an irritated sciatic nerve. When the nerve is irritated, the person feels pain that can be little or much depending on the severity of the condition.

There are generally two types of sciatica. The first one is the acute sciatica which only lasts for a certain period of time. This type is not a very bothersome one and it does not usually require any medical attention. Normally, the acute type can be cured using anti-inflammatory medications or pain killers, as well as exercise and hot compress. The second type of sciatica is the chronic sciatica. This type can last for a very long time especially if not treated immediately. This condition is more severe therefore it requires the help of chiropractors or physical therapist. It can still be treated by exercise however surgery can also be a resort for very severe conditions.

Before we go to the causes of sciatica, let us first discuss the spinal column a little.

You should know that the spinal column of human beings consists of three important parts. The first part is the vertebrae or the bones that protect the nerves from being damaged or irritated. The second part consists of the nerves which transmit signals to and from the brain. The third part consists of the discs that allow the vertebrae to move in a flexible manner as they function as cushions between each vertebrae bone.

Herniated disc is probably the most common cause of sciatica. It happens when a disc becomes dislocated and is pushed out. When this happens, the sciatic nerve becomes irritated as the pressure builds up from the dislocated disc. This condition normally occurs when a person experiences car accidents or other incidents that may cause the discs to bulge.

Piriformis syndrome is another common cause of sciatica. It happens when the piriformis muscle causes the sciatic nerve to be compressed or when it causes pressure. This usually happens when a person is experiencing imbalance. Imbalance can cause the joint muscles to pull the sciatic nerve.

Spinal stenosis is the next cause that we are going to discuss. This happens when the distance between each vertebra becomes less which causes the bones to sometimes hit each other. This can bring a lot of pressure to the nerves especially the nerve connected to sciatica.

Isthmic spondylolisthesis is the last common cause that we are going to discuss in this article. This particular condition happens when a vertebra, not a disc, is pushed out a little or slips a little from its original position. When this happens, the sciatic nerve is often pulled or aggravated which causes a person to experience sciatic pain.

Sciatica is not a threat to your life however it can bring great discomfort especially when you need to deal with the pain most of the time. In order to treat it, you need to first go to your doctor and confirm what causes it.