Imagine you’re doing your normal exercise, and suddenly, a searing pain erupts in your lower back and travels down to your leg like a lightning bolt. This agonizing sensation makes even breathing hard for you. The initial shock might leave you wondering, “What is this?” And when you consult with your physiotherapist, he tells you it might be sciatica.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a very common and often misunderstood condition affecting millions worldwide. It is not a disease but rather a symptom of an underlying issue that irritates the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the longest and widest nerve in your body, branching from your lower back down through your buttocks and leg.

When the sciatic nerve gets irritated or inflamed, it causes pain that typically starts in the lower back and radiates down the back of the leg, sometimes reaching the foot. The pain caused by this nerve can vary significantly, from a dull ache to a sharp, shooting sensation.

Misconception About Sciatica

Unfortunately, sciatica is the main culprit behind most back pains. However, people often assume that sciatic nerve pain is the same as normal back pain. Not all back pain is sciatica, even though it can present itself as back pain. 

It distinguishes itself from other back pain with its characteristic of radiating pain downward along the sciatic nerve path. Other back pain problems may not radiate the same way. These can also be distinguished based on factors such as the kind, location, and frequency of pain.

Debunking Myths And Accepting Facts About Sciatica

In sciatica, you might experience pain that varies from mild to excruciating, but most of the time, it is self-limiting, meaning it will go away on its own. Of course, while experiencing that pain, you may feel it will never go away. Likewise, there are many misconceptions about sciatica that many people aren’t aware of. So, let’s debunk those myths with facts.

Myth1: Sciatica Is A Diagnosis, Not A Symptom

Fact: Although many people are confused about this, many researchers have clearly stated that it’s a symptom, not a diagnosis. The journal Spine of the National Library of Medicine also published that herniated discs are the major cause of sciatica, accounting for around 90% of cases.

Similarly, the research published in the journal Neurological Research also highlighted the link between spinal stenosis and sciatica.

Myth 2: Sciatica Pain Means Leg Problems

Fact: You can also experience pain in your leg down to the foot during sciatica, and people confuse it by saying it is a leg problem. It isn’t. The pain radiates from your lower back, where your sciatica nerve starts. Irritation and inflammation in your lower back compress the nerve, causing pain to travel along its path down to the leg.

Myth 3: Bed Rest Is The Best Cure

Fact: While some initial rest might be helpful for acute pain, long periods of inactivity can worsen sciatica in the long run. Gentle movement and staying active are key to promoting healing and preventing future problems. In 2018, a report published in the journal Spine found that exercise therapy was just as effective as medication in managing sciatica pain.

Myth 4: Only Old People Get Sciatica

Fact: Sciatica can strike anyone, regardless of age. However, it is more common in those over the age of 40. Studies like this one from the National Institute Of Health clearly show that people with physically demanding jobs or those who lead sedentary lifestyles are more at risk. While working, they have poor posture and weak core muscles, which can contribute to sciatica.

Myth 5: Sciatica Pain Never Goes Away

Fact: The sciatic pain can vary from mild to severe. Although it would seem like it can never go away, it is limited to some extent and fades away after a while. It could fade the very next moment or a few weeks with proper treatment like physical therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes.

A study published in the journal Annals of Family Medicine found that over 90% of people with sciatica experienced significant improvement within a month. That’s why early diagnosis and proper sciatica nerve pain treatment are crucial for a speedy recovery.

Conclusion

There isn’t a single guaranteed “cure” for sciatica because it is not a disease but a symptom. However, it can be treated with appropriate treatments such as physical therapy, prescribed medications, and some minor lifestyle changes. 

In some cases, sciatic pain can also develop into chronic pain, so it is advised to consult with a specialist for proper chronic pain management. The specialist can help you explore the best options to manage your sciatica nerve pain and get back to feeling your best.

Padda Institute is a center for interventional pain management in St. Louis, MO. offering comprehensive chronic pain management treatment for individuals struggling with migraine headaches, foot pain, severe head and neck pain, etc. We feel that the whole person must be treated, not just the pain, and that’s why we offer help to eliminate your pain.