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What can be mistaken for sciatica?
Piriformis syndrome can be a real pain in the butt. The problem is, piriformis syndrome is often mistaken for sciatica. While both conditions interfere with sciatic nerve function, sciatica results from spinal dysfunction such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
Which leg is affected by sciatica?
Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. You might feel the discomfort almost anywhere along the nerve pathway, but it’s especially likely to follow a path from your low back to your buttock and the back of your thigh and calf.
Do you have one or two sciatic nerves?
Although you have two sciatic nerves (one on each side of your body), sciatica symptoms typically only occur on one side of the body. If you have radiating pain down both of your legs, it is less likely that the pain is caused by a pinched sciatic nerve, Dr.
Where does sciatica pain start?
Sciatica pain is typically felt like a constant burning sensation or a shooting pain starting in the lower back or buttock and radiating down the front or back of the thigh and leg and/or feet. Numbness. Sciatica pain may be accompanied by numbness in the back of the leg.
Can you have sciatica pain on both sides?
Pain is usually similar regarding both sides of the body, whereas sciatica typically affects one side more than the other. Sciatica is often caused by lumbar radiculopathy, which is due to a herniated disk, while piriformis syndrome is a neuromuscular condition.
What happens if sciatica is left untreated?
If left untreated, sciatica can cause permanent nerve damage that worsens back and leg pain. Over time, the pain may extend to other parts of the body. In some cases, patients stop responding to pain medication, thereby developing chronic pain that cannot be remedied.
Is bilateral sciatica a red flag?
Bilateral sciatica is a red flag symptom of cauda equina syndrome.
How to treat sciatica in the leg?
Alternating heat and ice therapy can provide immediate relief of sciatic nerve pain. Ice can help reduce inflammation, while heat encourages blood flow to the painful area (which speeds healing). Heat and ice may also help ease painful muscle spasms that often accompany sciatica.
What causes pain in the back of both legs?
A common cause of a narrowed spinal canal is arthritis of the spine. Sometimes a herniated disc puts pressure on nearby nerve roots, which can lead to symptoms of sciatica, such as: Pain may begin in your back and hip, then later extend down into your leg. Rest is often the cure for other pains of the leg, but not this one.
How to manage sciatic nerve pain?
Sciatic Nerve Floss. To reduce lower back pain,this exercise is effective.