The siatic nerve is actually a large group of nerves that runs from the base of your spinal column down into your legs. If you think about this group as being a network of live electrical wires, you can probably imagine that if they are hurt or even touched incorrectly, it is going to cause a tremendous amount of pain. That is exactly what you are experiencing if you have sciatic pain. Many people will suffer from this pain every once in a while. For others, though, it is constant or at least more frequent.

Why does it hurt? When the siatic nerve is somehow pinched, it causes this type of pain. The nerve is pinched in various situations, but the most common reason is due to a lower vertebrae that has crunched together towards the next one. This cause a herniated disc. The disc is the actual space that is supposed to be between each of the vertebrae. This cushion keeps the bones and tissues from touching the nerves that run through the spinal column and allows you to bend and flex so well. When the disc bulges due to this crunching, the result is that the nerves are touched, leading to the pain.

To know if you are feeling siatic nerve pain, a good indication is the type of pain itself. This type of pain usually starts in the lower back and runs through the buttock or hips and down into the leg, sometimes as low as the knee. If you cough or sneeze, the pain can intensify. Sudden movements trigger it. It can be intense pain, too.

Are you feeling this type of pain? If so, exercising and stretching can help to reduce it. In addition to this, you can often get relief through pain medications. Continuous pain should be monitored by a doctor. A physical therapist can help you to relieve the pain if it is continuous or chronic.

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