You’ve likely tried block injections, pain-relief patches, and other treatments, but if you’re not seeing visible improvements, it’s because blood circulation within the sciatic nerve is poor, and the nerve itself may be swollen (causing excessive internal pressure). Additionally, the surrounding muscles may be tense and rigid, blocking nerve transmission.
Even if you feel a little better at times, you may experience sudden pain without warning or find that some days your back and legs hurt so much you can barely walk. The muscles supporting the lumbar spine, posture, and even your diet can all affect the internal environment of your body, making it more sensitive to changes.
This is a common issue, so let’s examine the specific symptoms in the following section!
Most people experience lower back pain accompanied by numbness or pain radiating down the legs. Some may even struggle to walk because their legs feel too weak, but sciatica isn’t always linked to lower back pain alone.
The causes of sciatica vary between individuals. For some, it might be due to herniated discs, while for others, it may stem from issues like spondylolisthesis. Regardless of the cause, these conditions disrupt the sciatic nerve environment, leading to pain and discomfort down the legs. In severe cases, people may experience a lack of temperature sensation on the affected side of their leg or noticeable muscle wasting. Some also report dizziness from loss of sensation in the soles of the feet.
The causes of sciatica are diverse. One common factor is the tightness and rigidity of muscles surrounding the lumbar spine, which restricts blood flow and nerve transmission (leading to sciatica originating from lower back pain).
In some cases, the misalignment or deformity of the lumbar spine itself can disrupt nerve transmission and blood flow (such as in conditions like herniated discs or spondylolisthesis). These issues need to be carefully identified through examination to ensure proper treatment. Even with similar symptoms, the root causes differ greatly between individuals with lower back pain as the basis and those with herniated discs or spondylolisthesis.
If you’ve experienced severe lumbago in the past, it’s likely that your lumbar discs or spine have already suffered significant damage. If not addressed properly, you may continue to experience frequent bouts of back pain and sciatica, with symptoms worsening over time.
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