Sciatica and Leg Pain

Pain of any kind, at any age, is a sign that something is wrong. Pain is the way your body signals that a limit has been reached or a problem has developed. Since we can adapt, minor aches and pains are often shrugged off. While they may go away, if the underlying problem remains unattended, the problem may slowly worsen until it becomes more difficult and expensive to resolve. Some people silence their symptoms with a pain reliever and ignore the message. But that would be like removing the battery to silence a smoke detector!

Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. It is caused by injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve and can involve multiple lumbar spinal nerves that control the legs. Sciatica is a symptom of another problem usually related to abnormal curvature in the low back, osteoarthritis or spinal disc protrusions and herniations.

Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower portion of the spine and runs down the back of both legs. This nerve controls the muscles at the back of the knee and lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg and the sole of the foot.