Chronic Sciatica
Chronic sciatica symptoms are an all too common problem for many patients diagnosed with some variety of sciatic nerve pain.
Sciatica
is a symptomatic expression of some causative condition or process. It is not a condition unto itself.
Sciatic nerve
pain is one of the most frequent symptoms associated with a wide variety of
lower back pain
syndromes. Sciatica has a foul and well deserved reputation as a long lasting problematic symptom set which typically
resists all attempts at treatment.
I can tell you from personal experience that sciatica is perhaps the most variable and structurally illogical pain condition I have ever come across. As a longtime sufferer myself, my lower body symptoms range wildly from day to day. Sometimes they are terrible, while other times they are barely present. They move around and change expressions frequently, making a purely structural cause seem virtually impossible in my case. Your stories also support these findings and add a depth of complication to sciatica which often puzzles patients and their care providers.
Chronic Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica is typically described as pain,
tingling,
numbness
or
weakness,
alone or in combination, in the lower back, buttocks, legs or feet. Patients can experience one or more
symptoms
in any or all of these anatomical locations. Some patients have a regular pain pattern with symptoms remaining consistent in type and location. Other patients have a variable pattern which moves around haphazardly throughout the lower body area. Many patients have pain as their primary complaint, while others suffer from an accompanying variety of neurological symptoms which create limited mobility and functionality in the lower limbs. To further complicate matters, neurological expressions, such as weakness and numbness, can be subjective or objective, adding confusion to the mix.
Chronic Sciatica Causes
Some cases of sciatic nerve symptoms are the direct result of an anatomical defect or
injury
in the spine.
Pinched nerve
roots can affect the sciatic nerve anywhere in the lower body.
Herniated discs
are the most common cause of this condition, although this type of pain is rarely a long-term concern.
Spinal stenosis
can also cause neurological effects, as can advanced cases of
facet joint syndrome
and other forms of
spinal osteoarthritis.
Most of these degenerative syndromes do not cause chronic pain, even though they are commonly blamed as the actual cause of symptoms. Remember, they are normal to experience as we age and most people with the physical signs of the conditions do not suffer symptoms. All of these conditions are popular
back pain scapegoats
and may be blamed unfairly for creating suffering when all along they are not doing any harm whatsoever. In some of these cases, the scapegoats are purposefully utilized to justify profitable treatment by money-hungry doctors and therapists.One of the most prevalent reasons for chronic sciatic nerve involvement is
oxygen deprivation
caused by a
psychological back pain
syndrome. Mindbody conditions account for a great number of chronic pain syndromes of all types and anatomical locations. These conditions are rarely correctly diagnosed, which accounts for their ability to defy traditional medical treatments. Many mindbody professionals call the sciatic nerve a barometer of emotional activity. It seems to be one of those anatomical locations, much like the stomach or neck, which suffers greatly when we are stressed consciously, or worse still, affected by repressed subconscious psychological issues.
Recommendation on Chronic Sciatica
I suffered with severe chronic sciatica for 18 years as part of my own original back pain ordeal. The pain was blamed on my lumbar
degenerative disc disease
and 2 herniated discs in my lower back. I tried everything to cure this torturous condition, but nothing seemed to help. It took me a long time to find out the truth of why my pain continued for so long. In the end, I realized that the anatomical
abnormalities in my spine
had little to do with my pain and symptoms... at least not at that time. My pain turned out to be a mindbody syndrome, at least in part, just like many other patients. I never would have believed that such misery could be caused by an emotional condition, but curing my pain using
knowledge therapy
made me a believer. I am so happy I opened my mind enough to discover the truth. It was my savior. Those years without pain were the best of my life and give me the courage to go on even now when the symptoms have returned in all their horror. I know that my many structural conditions have figured into the painful expressions I now endure daily, but I also still account for the ability of my mind to improve or worsen the pain constantly. In closing, it is crucial to remember that the mind and body work hand in hand in determining all matters of health and disease. Never forget this basic truth.
Chronic Sciatica to Back Pain
7/30/07 Revised 1/29/12
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