Sciatic Nerve
What is the Sciatic Nerve?
The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body measuring three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and up to 35 inches long on some individuals. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back and reaches down to the big toe. The sciatic nerve and its nerve branches control the motor and sensory functions in the thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot and toes. When the base of the spine is compressed or when an injury has compressed the spinal roots of the sciatic nerve, the result is called sciatic pain, or sciatica. Because the sciatic nerve is so large and so long, sciatic pain can really get your attention. The pain will usually follow the path of the nerve down the affected leg, and may take several days or weeks to resolve itself. Because the sciatic nerve also controls the feeling and some movement in the leg and foot, the pain is often accompanied by diminished motor control in the affected areas. Sciatic pain is often more intense and more potentially damaging than other kinds of back pain, primarily because of the size and importance of the sciatic nerve. The good news about sciatic pain is that it rarely requires surgery. The bad news is that the pain sufferer may be waiting a while for the sciatic nerve to calm down. What Does the Sciatica Nerve Do?
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and as a result, has a large job description. The sciatic nerve emerges from the bottom of the spine through the pelvis and then travels down the back of the leg and into the foot. The many nerves and nerve endings which branch out from the sciatic nerve control the feelings and movement of all the skin and muscle groups in the leg and foot. The As all nerves do, the sciatic nerve collects information in the form of sensations and movement and sends that information through the spinal column to the brain. The brain then responds with directives to the muscles concerning how to move and what to avoid, and these directives are also transmitted through the sciatic nerve. When working correctly, the sciatic nerve influences the feelings and movement of your legs and feet. When it is pinched or compressed, however, the sciatic nerve can bring your day to a screeching halt. Sensations of pain that originate in the lower back or pelvis will often travel the length of the sciatic nerve. If your sciatic nerve has ceased to be useful and has become a source of pain and frustration, a visit to your doctor is in order. Your doctor can help you with information about physical therapy, pain management, and if necessary, surgery. Why Does Your Sciatic Nerve Hurt? In the simplest of terms, your sciatic nerve probably hurts because something is hurting it. The sciatic nerve begins at the base of your spinal cord and weaves its way through your spine and pelvis area before it begins its descent down your leg. It is usually in the lower back and pelvis area that the nerve can become pinched or compressed, which causes a sensation of pain. This can happen because your lower back is out of alignment or has been injured. Sometimes it can happen during pregnancy when a woman’s uterus expands with the developing baby and puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. The odd thing about nerves, though, is that sometimes the pain at one point on the length of a nerve can travel up or down that nerve. Your funny bone works that way, sending sensations the length of your arm when in fact only a small point on your elbow was actually impacted. In the case of your sciatic nerve, when pain originates in the lower back or pelvic area, it can sometimes pop up at unrelated places. Often the pain sensation seems to progress slowly along the length of the nerve, and will stop when it works its way to the big toe. Your sciatic nerve is very large and quite long, and as a result, when it transmits a pain signal, it can transmit a lot of pain over a great distance. If you suffer from sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, then a good doctor or chiropractor is an invaluable source as to what is causing your particular sciatic nerve pain, and, more importantly, how you can minimize or resolve it.