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What is Sciatica
By Liana Mirkin

Sciatica is not a specific disease, instead it is a condition characteristic of several different diseases.
Simply put, it is a mild to intense pain in the left or right leg. Sciatica is caused by a compression of
one or more of the five sets of nerve roots in the lower back. These compressions are typically caused by a
disc rupture or bone spur in the lumbar spine. It causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms
or legs. This is referred to as radiculopathy. If the nerve root causing the problem is in the neck it is
called cervical radiculopathy. Sciatica is called a lumbar radiculopathy since it occurs in the lower back.

There are six typical causes of Sciatica.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is usually found at birth, early childhood or acquired from physical trauma such as
weightlifting. It is a disorder that most often affects the lumbar spine. Spondylolisthesis is characterized
by one vertebra slipping forward over an adjacent vertebra. Often sciatic leg pain is caused when a nerve
root compresses due to the vertebra being displaced and slipping.

Piriformis Syndrome

Due to the lack of MRI or x-ray findings, it may be difficult to diagnose and treat piriformis syndrome.
The piriformis muscle connects to the thighbone, assists in hip rotation and is located in the lower part of
the spine. When muscle spasms develop in the piriformis muscle thereby compressing the sciatic nerve,
Piriformis syndrome develops. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome is
named for the piriformis muscle and the pain caused when the muscle irritates the sciatic nerve.

Lumbar Bulging or Herniated Disc

When the nucleus breaks through the annulus a herniated disc occurs. It is called a 'non-contained' disc
disorder. A bulging disc is also known as a contained disc disorder. This means the nucleus pulposus
(gel-like center) remains 'contained' within the annulus fibrosus (tire-like outer wall) of the disc.
Because a herniated disc is a ‘non-contained’ disc disorder, the consequences of a herniated disc are
worse. Whether a disc or herniates or bulges, disc material can press against an adjacent nerve root and
compress delicate nerve tissue and cause sciatica. Irritation and nerve compression cause pain and
inflammation often leading to extremity tingling, muscle weakness and numbness. The disc material itself
also contains an acidic, chemical irritant (hyaluronic acid) that causes nerve inflammation. The herniated
nucleus causes direct compression of the nerve root against the interior of the bony spinal canal.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The condition of spinal stenosis results in the spinal canal narrowing. The narrowing causes pressure on
the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Common in patients over the age of 50 and with causes that are not
clear, spinal stenosis has two different types frequently described. A common complaint of spinal stenosis
patients is leg pain which gets worse with walking. Another complaint is back pain. Sitting and bending
can sometimes alleviate these pains.

There is one type of spinal stenosis that exists where individuals are born with a narrow spinal canal.
In people that have this condition even minor structural changes to the spine can cause severe spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis related to age is the more commonly acquired form. This form of the stenosis condition may
cause various spinal components to sag or bulge from arthritis. Discs, joints, and ligaments can be affected.
These changes, which occur with age, can have the effect of narrowing the spinal canal and thus trigger
spinal stenosis pain.

Spinal Tumors

Spinal tumors can be benign or malignant, but are fairly rare. They cause sciatica due to pressure on the disc.
Trauma

Another cause of sciatica is trauma caused by accidents. The impact may injure nerves or cause fragments of
bone to compress the nerves (lumbar or sacral spinal nerve roots)

If you think you may be suffering from sciatica, be sure and contact your physician to get a proper diagnosis!

Liana Mirkin is the IT Director for Spina Systems International, Inc., a company which specializes in
distributing the Accu-SPINA machine, which treats chronic back pain in 86%-94% of patients without surgery.
You may find the website at spinaprogram.com