Sciatica is a condition that affects the sciatic nerve, which happens to be the longest nerve in the human body. It runs from the lower lumbar spine area or just above the buttocks and extends all the way down each leg, right to the heel of the foot. The pain is characterized as a numbing or tingling sensation in the lower back and either leg. The numbing and tingling can and usually expands to an outright debilitating pain, once the sciatic nerve rubs against the internal muscles. It is a condition that affects over 100 million people worldwide every year.
Sciatica pain or the sciatic condition commonly affects both men and women 30 and older, but is most commonly seen between the ages of 40 and 70. It is usually caused by a sedentary lifestyle. As a result, it is commonly affecting individuals who spend long hours sitting or laying down and/or have or practice bad posture. This lack of movement leads to constricting or massive irritations that thus causes debilitating pain anywhere within the sciatic nerve region, however the pain is mostly felt, in 70% of cases, in the upper thigh or hamstring region. The sciatica pain can sometimes affect an individual for a short period of time, like 2-3 weeks, then they may not feel any pain for months. However, for the most part, as a person gets older, with this condition, the onset and frequency of the pain becomes more and more frequent, to the point, that it may affect the individual's daily family life.
What are the major medical causes for sciatica pain?
Most commonly, its an acute disc herniation in the lumbar spine region that triggers an onset of the pain. This can further irritate the adjoining bones and muscle tissue. Another direct cause is sometimes a pinched nerve in the region that may be caused by a large cyst or tumor, as well as infections or long time injuries, such as injuries that occurred in a person's youth. Although a sciatica condition is not considered a disease, it has such far reaching effects on the daily lives of people that it deserves serious attention by people and health car professionals.
Although, I only touched upon the most common triggers of sciatica, there are a few others that demand attention such sciatica pain brought on by a condition caused the Piriformis syndrome and the sacroiliac joint dysfunction, which officially, in the medical spheres, are not considered diseases, but they may cause or trigger a sciatic event in anyone, as these are conditions that materialize near the sciatica nerve region and may be brought on by similar sedentary reasons or lifestyles.
Sciatica treatment such as sciatica exercises, stretches or surgery for relief of this condition are very diverse, however, it is commonly known that a sciatica cure is very hard to achieve, and the management of the condition is really the only long term solution for current sufferers.
For a more advanced look at sciatica exercises and sciatica stretches please go the preceding links. Redley Stelly is a writer that likes to research and write about diverse topics
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