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Sciatic Nerve
Sciatic Nerve AnatomyThe sciatic is formed from nerve roots at 5 vertebral levels in the lower back, including L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3. Three of these nerve roots (L4, L5 and S1) are among the most commonly implicated in a variety of radiculopathy conditions due to the high incidence of degenerative disc disease, herniated discs and osteoarthritis at these same spinal levels. The sciatic branches out to form a complicated peripheral nerve network which serves the neurological needs of the lower limbs.Ischiatic Nerve ConditionsSciatica is the most common diagnosis associated with this much maligned nerve. Sciatica describes radiating pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in the lower back, buttocks and legs. It is perhaps the most common of all chronic back pain syndromes and also one of the hardest to cure. Pseudo-sciatica is a diagnosis given to sciatica-like symptoms NOT caused by a spinal source. The most often diagnosed versions of this condition include sacroiliac joint pain and piriformis syndrome. Unfortunately, the most common condition affecting the sciatic is rarely correctly diagnosed… This condition is simple ischemia and is usually caused by some psychosomatic causation.Bottom Line on the Sciatic NerveMany people with sciatica write saying that their ischiatic nerve is being pinched by a herniated disc or bone spur. This is anatomically impossible, but is an understandable mistake, since most doctors never take the time to adequately explain what is actually occurring during the diagnostic process. Personally, I have had at least 2 chiropractors tell me that my herniated discs at L4/L5 and L5/S1 were compressing my sciatic. What these doctors mean is that one of the nerve roots which eventually grow together to form this largest of nerves is being impinged upon. However, the reality of the situation rarely mirrors the diagnosis. Pinched nerves are diagnosed far more often than they truly occur and most are simply theorized scapegoats on which sciatica symptoms are blamed.If you are having ongoing concerns involving this nerve, I recommend considering ischemia as the likely source of trouble…
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