What is Sciatica

Sciatica is not a specific disease, instead it is acompresses due to the vertebra being displaced and
condition characteristic of several different diseases.slipping.Piriformis SyndromeDue to the lack of MRI or
Simply put, it is a mild to intense pain in the left orx-ray findings, it may be difficult to diagnose and
right leg. Sciatica is caused by a compression of onetreat piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle
or more of the five sets of nerve roots in the lowerconnects to the thighbone, assists in hip rotation and
back. These compressions are typically caused by ais located in the lower part of the spine. When
disc rupture or bone spur in the lumbar spine. Itmuscle spasms develop in the piriformis muscle
causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in thethereby compressing the sciatic nerve, Piriformis
arms or legs. This is referred to as radiculopathy. Ifsyndrome develops. The sciatic nerve runs beneath
the nerve root causing the problem is in the neck it isthe piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome is named
called cervical radiculopathy. Sciatica is called a lumbarfor the piriformis muscle and the pain caused when
radiculopathy since it occurs in the lower back.Therethe muscle irritates the sciatic nerve.Lumbar Bulging
are six typical causes ofor Herniated DiscWhen the nucleus breaks through
Sciatica.SpondylolisthesisSpondylolisthesis is usuallythe annulus a herniated disc occurs. It is called a
found at birth, early childhood or acquired from'non-contained' disc disorder. A bulging disc is also
physical trauma such as weightlifting. It is a disorderknown as a contained disc disorder. This means the
that most often affects the lumbar spine.nucleus pulposus (gel-like center) remains 'contained'
Spondylolisthesis is characterized by one vertebrawithin the annulus fibrosus (tire-like outer wall) of the
slipping forward over an adjacent vertebra. Oftendisc.
sciatic leg pain is caused when a nerve root