When pain runs down the leg as a result of an inflammation of the sciatic nerve it is referred to as ‘sciatic pain of the legs’or Sciatic pain. This type of pain typically begins in the lower back and moves down the leg. It is usually caused by a compression of the sciatic nerve resulting from a slipped disc, piriformis syndrome, or less commonly, tumors, infections or bone growths.
Sciatic pain of the legs can be classified as mild to severe and categorized as acute and chronic. The distinction is as follows:
* With acute sciatic pain there has usually been a trauma or injury to muscles, ligaments, tendons or discs. This type of pain resolves from several days to weeks depending on the seriousness of the injury. This is usually termed ‘mechanical back pain’.
* Chronic sciatic pain refers to symptoms that continue for more than three months. It can come and go or it may be persistent. Sometimes this type of pain increases with posture changes, and too much or too little activity. Arthritis, damage to tissue, changes to nerve cells and the psychological impacts associated with chronic pain can result.
A slipped disc is one of the most common causes sciatic pain of the legs. Other common causes include:
* A narrowing of the spinal canal, or lumbar spinal stenosis.
* A degenerative disc disease such as osteoarthritis that results in a breakdown of the cushioning between vertebrae.
* Spondylolisthesis, or a displacement of vertebrae.
* Other causes include being overweight, inappropriate footwear such as high heels, the absence of regular exercise and using soft mattresses.
The primary symptoms of sciatic pain of the legs are actually founded in the lower back, buttock, thigh, knee and foot. The resulting pain can be excruciating or can be dull and irritating. There are several exercises for sciatic nerve pain that are used daily to help relieve some of the pain.
