Pain Relief | Do You Know the Causes of Sciatica Nerve Pain?

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Pain Relief | Do You Know the Causes of Sciatica Nerve Pain? - By: , Posted on: 2007-06-06

Are you one of the millions of people who experience nerve pain from sciatica? If so, you know how painful this condition can be.

Sciatica pain actually refers to the pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve. This pain is typically felt in the buttocks, down the legs, and in upper thighs.

The interesting thing about SNP is that it is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of another problem, usually a compressed nerve. So, if that is the case, what exactly causes SNP?

Causes

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. It runs from your pelvis all the way down to the back of your legs. This nerve provides feelings to your legs, feet and thighs. So, when this nerve is compressed, the pain is likened to an electrical shock. Some of the causes of nerve pain include the following:

* Herniated Disk. A herniated disk, otherwise known as a bulging disk, is the most common cause of sciatica nerve pain. When a lower lumbar intervertebral disk bulges, it oftentimes compresses one of the nerves roots before it joins the sciatic nerve. This tends to cause radiating pain into the buttocks and back of the thighs or calves. Numbness and burning are also symptoms, as well as pain.

* Degenerative Disc Disease. Degenerative Disc Disease may also be a cause of sciatica pain. This condition irritates the nerve root.

* Piriformis Syndrome. Although not as common as a herniated disk, Piriformis syndrome can also be a cause of sciatica nerve pain. Runners, cyclists, or people who stand with their toes outward tend to develop this syndrome.

* Spinal Stenosis. Sciatica nerve pain can also be cause by the narrowing of the spinal canal due to spinal stenosis. This condition can be caused by aging, trauma, or heredity.

How to Treat Sciatica Nerve Pain

When you doctor knows what the cause of your sciatica pain is, he or she can better treat it. Most cases of SNP are treated with conservative or non-surgical methods, like over-the-counter medications, rest, or cold and heat therapy.

For those who experience severe nerve pain and/or incontinence, surgery may be the only option.

Almost 80 percent of people suffer from lower back pain, with or without sciatica, so talk to your doctor to learn more about the causes of sciatica, or hop online and check out The Sciatica Clinical website.

Sciatica pain can be eliminated from your life there are numerous treatments for it, you will need to experiment to find out the best treatment or treatments for you particular condition.

Article Source: http://www.girlarticles.com

For all natural pain relief products and information, visit Pain Relief Ray Attebery is President for The Centre for Pain Relief in New York City.