It happens when something presses on or irritates the sciatic nerve, which is a big nerve that runs from your lower back through your buttocks down to your legs. This nerve can get bothered by things like a herniated disc, an injury, or pressure from a growing baby during pregnancy.
The right treatment for sciatica depends on what’s causing it, like a slipped disc or pressure on the sciatic nerve in the buttocks. Sometimes, during late pregnancy, the looser ligaments and the baby’s position can indirectly press on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica.
The 5 Causes
- Herniated Disc: One of the primary causes of sciatica is a herniated or slipped disc in the spine. When the soft inner part of a disc pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior, it can press against nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: As people age, the discs in their spine can degenerate or wear down. This can cause narrowing of the spaces between vertebrae, leading to pressure on the sciatic nerve roots as they exit the spine.
- Spinal Stenosis: This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, including the sciatic nerve roots. Spinal stenosis can be caused by bone spurs, arthritis, or other conditions that reduce the space within the spinal canal.
- Spondylolisthesis: When a vertebra slips out of place and onto the vertebra below it, it can compress the nerves exiting the spine, including the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica symptoms.
- Piriformis Syndrome: The piriformis muscle, located in the buttocks, can sometimes irritate or compress the sciatic nerve, leading to symptoms similar to sciatica.