What Causes Sciatica Nerve Pain?

Sciatica is a painful, sometimes debilitating condition, in which the person experiences a numbness, tingling, or sharp pain that travels from their lower back down the length of their leg. Most of the time, sciatica is often a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition; this needs to be determined before proper treatment can be administered.

Herniated Disc

• Sciatica occurs from this condition when the gel-like substance found in the the center of the disc emerges, pressing along the nerve root, compressing the nerve tissue.

Spinal Stenosis

• This condition has a tendency to affect older adults during physical activities. The nerve compression usually takes place when the person is standing or walking, and is relieved upon sitting.

Spondylolisthesis

• The sciatica will take place once one vertebrae slips over another, becoming displaced; this results in compression of the nerve root.

Trauma

• Direct external forces to the lower back, such as car accidents, sports injuries or a fall can result in nerve compression, causing sciatica.

Spinal Tumors

• Though rare, tumors on the spine cause nerve compression, causing sciatica nerve pain.