This is a term used to define a set of conditions or symptoms that are associated with compression of the sciatic nerve.
Irritation can be another description used.
Either way, the combination of the pain and the compression are referred to sciatic neuralgia.
The term "neuralgia" overall means nerve-related pain, but sciatic neuralgia does refer directly to the symptoms associated with the compressed sciatic nerve.
The Sciatica nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body.
It starts at the fourth lumbar, or lower back, and runs down the buttocks and all the way down the legs.
The size of the nerve is what makes it so vulnerable to pain when the lower back becomes weak.
A degenerative spine condition can also cause sciatica pain, which is typically associated with aging.
Sciatica is very common, and studies show that over 5,000,000 Americans have sciatica conditions, which in itself is scary because of the location of the nerve, and the relationship it has with the entire central nervous system! In previous articles I wrote about the importance of preventive maintenance for your lower back.
As a reminder, or if you have not read my other articles, keeping your abdominals tight and strong is one way to care for your lower back.
Did you ever imagine that keeping your stomach muscles in peak condition, can lower your chances of central nervous disease and spinal disorders? Well it is true! The central nervous system depends on your spine, and your spine depends on your conditioning.
The fourth lumbar down, when conditioned properly, will keep your entire spinal column safe and that includes the central nervous system, which is accountable for transmitting chemical messages across a wide network of tissues, organs, and cells.
So it makes sense that keeping your lower body in good condition just makes sense.
Now, these chemical messages are the lifeline of the human brain and controls voluntary muscle tissues.
Did you know billions of cells in the human make up are communicated by the human nervous system? It is a very powerful system that effortlessly intercommunicates, when working properly.
Have you ever had your hand or arm or leg just move randomly? You know this can be from the lack of conditioning of your lower back and your body telling you to get started with some form of lower back care.
Of course, it could be just a muscle spasm as well.
Most people know if its just a spasm or something worse because your brain will let you know.
All you need to do is listen and never be in denial to what your body is telling you.
So, now we know the spinal column and all the nerves tie into the brain which allows the brain to be able to communicate with cells, tissues, and organs across the different levels of the human body.
All this communication chemical messaging and transmissions rides over the spinal column.
I call it the telephone pole in your back.
Sounds crude, but that is what the spinal column is.
It's a solid, bundled column of nerves running from base of the skull all the way down to the coccyx, or human 'tail bone.
' So when tying this all together, you see the importance of sciatic nerve and how important it is to keep sciatica neuralgia away from your life.
But if you do get sciatica, there is help and relief.
But a caution as well, always ensure that your prognosis of sciatica comes from a doctor, and not what you think is wrong.
There can be worse conditions.
These may feel like sciatica and are not.
Do not mess around with spinal and nerve problems, and always check with a doctor first.