Experiencing frequent back pain and sciatica can be a challenging and common issue, and you’re not alone in this. Low back pain affects people across various age groups, with more than 70% of individuals experiencing it at some point in their lives, according to the World Health Organization. But there’s no need to worry because we’re here to provide support and solutions.

Let’s start by understanding what sciatica is and how it can impact you.

Sciatica refers to the pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which typically travels from the lower back to the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. It commonly affects only one side of the body and often results from a spinal disc injury, such as a disc rupturing and protruding from its normal position. But why does this happen? What are the causes?

– Wear and Tear Injury, Acute Trauma, and Chronic Repetitive Stress: These factors can contribute to disc-related issues.

Now, let’s look at some common symptoms you should be aware of:

Patients with sciatica may experience various symptoms, including:

– Pain that radiates into the buttocks, the back of the leg, and sometimes all the way down to the foot.
– Pain characterized by sensations like sharpness, burning, stabbing, numbness, or shooting.
– Numbness and tingling sensations in the leg.
– Weakness in the legs, leading to sluggish movements.
– Reduced reflexes and increased stiffness.

Knowing when to seek medical help is crucial. While sciatica doesn’t often require immediate medical attention, it’s essential to take proactive steps. Here are situations in which you should consider it a medical emergency:

– Severe and Sudden Increase in Pain: If you experience a sudden and severe escalation of sciatic pain.

– Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control: If you lose control of your bowel or bladder function abnormally.

– Accompanied by Fever, Weight Loss, and Nausea: When sciatica pain is accompanied by these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly.

Remember, early intervention and medical evaluation can help you manage and treat sciatica effectively.