Sciatica is a very common condition. It relates to pain in the leg, where the nerves that travel from the lower back down the leg become irritated and very sensitive. Occasionally people with sciatica can also have back pain. It is important to remember that although sciatica can be very scary, painful and can affect many aspects of a person’s life it is rarely serious. Also, most sciatica will normally resolve without any treatment within 6-12 weeks.
The sciatic nerve from lower back can become irritated or inflamed. A number of factors have been associated with sciatica; these often include:
These include:
You may experience constant or intermittent (come and go) symptoms, that are aggravated by certain activities (or no obvious activities) and reduced by others.
Try some of these self-help tips.
Cauda Equina Syndrome is an extremely rare but serious back condition. It can cause permanent damage and disability. It is important to seek immediate medical advice if you have a combination of the following symptoms:
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Watch this video When should you seek urgent help for your backpain? (macpweb.org)
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