Oh, My Aching Back: What Causes Sciatica?

Often, when it comes to the human body, an individual takes their health for granted and does not pay attention to the various organs and the various systems that comprise the human anatomy. For example, we often take our breathing, the beating of our hearts, the five human senses, the workings of the brain, etc. for granted and don’t think about the particular organs unless we sense pain.

The same statement can be held true when it comes to considering the nervous system. However, if the skin is burned or a toe is stubbed or a cut in the skin, the nerve endings send out a painful reminder to the brain that something is wrong.

Another painful condition that involves the nervous system is a condition known as sciatica. Therefore, it is important to know what sciatica is and what causes sciatica.

Sciatica is a symptom that is experienced by the individual in their lower legs. The sciatic nerve pain causes moderate pain to severe pain as well as feeling of numbness in the legs. In addition, these symptoms can be felt in the hips and range downward to the knees as well as the lower legs.

Specifically, sciatic nerves are affected. In the normal human body there are two sciatic nerves. One of these nerves runs down the right leg and one of these nerves runs down the left leg. In addition, sciatic nerves are the two largest nerves in the body.

Additionally, it can be anticipated that almost everyone will at one time or another in their lives experience sciatica. However, there are some conditions experienced by an individual which makes the experience of sciatica an ongoing issue.

When talking about sciatica it is also important to know what causes sciatica. One of the most common causes of sciatica is due to the aging process. Specifically, as an individual ages, there is a deteriorating process that takes places. One specific part of the anatomy that deteriorates is the spinal column. Specifically, it starts to compress on itself. When this occurs the openings of the spinal column, which the sciatic nerves tunnel through, become narrow and therefore can cause pressure on the sciatic nerves. This in turn causes sciatica.

In addition, another reason for sciatica and which addresses the question of what causes sciatica is a herniated disc. A herniated disc is sometimes caused by lifting or moving a heavy object which dislodges the cushion that resides between the vertebrae. When this occurs, this shifting can place the pressure upon the sciatic nerve and in turn cause sciatica.