Other Names for Sciatica: Cyatica, ciatica, pinched sciatic nerve, impinged sciatic nerve, piriformis, piriformis syndrome

Definition of Sciatica:
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the buttock and thigh down the inside of the leg and branches out to the big toe. When pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve (usually because of a herniated disc or bulging disc), or when the sciatic nerve is otherwise irritated. it causes a condition called sciatica.  Sciatica causes extreme pain, numbness and or tingling that sometimes radiates down the leg or even into the feet.

Symptoms
Any or all of the following:

• Pain or muscle spasm in the back, sometimes causing the spine to deviate.
• Tingling or numbness in the buttocks, leg or foot.
• Weakness in the leg or foot
• Pain (sometimes severe) that runs down the inside of the leg to the big toe

Caused By
Can be caused by a sudden trauma or injury, by prolonged sitting or incorrect posture, or by repetitive lifting or back strain

Identification and Diagnosis
Usually diagnosed based on symptoms and confirmed using an MRI or CT Scan

Treatment
Varies - a doctor or PT can evaluate the prognosis based on an MRI or CT scan and based on how the patient responds to therapy.  Treatment can include Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Exercise, Chiropractor, Aquatic (water) Therapy, McKenzie Technique, Epidural Steroids, Pain Medication, and/or Spine Surgery

I have no relationship with the solutions I describe and created this site purely to inspire others to go take control of their own back care and to provide some ideas of treatments to discuss with your doctor. If you find this website useful, please add a link to it from your website or blog.