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Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica symptoms vary greatly in their effects and intensity. In general, symptoms of
sciatica
will include pain, tingling, burning,
numbness
or weakness in the buttocks, legs, or feet.
Sciatic nerve pain might affect one leg or both. It may affect one leg differently than the other, or both the same. Some patients only have pain in the backs or sides of their legs. Some have pain in the tops of their feet as well. The pain might be chronic and nagging, or might be acute and debilitating. The pain of this condition is hard to characterize, except to say that it is always unpleasant, and sometimes downright nasty! It is common for sciatica patients to experience greater pain or relief depending on posture, position, and activity. There does not seem to be a set pattern for these changes, since the conditions causing the pain vary from case to case.
Sciatica Symptom Warning
If you experience bowel or bladder control problems or complete numbness in the buttocks or genitals, seek assistance immediately. These symptoms are signs of
cauda equina syndrome.
This condition often requires immediate treatment, or the nerve damage may become permanent.
Remember that sciatica is a symptom, not a condition. Sciatica is an indicator that there is a problem somewhere in the lower back, SI joint, or piriformis muscle.
Sciatica Symptoms to Home page
6/8/06 Revised 8/29/07

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